Salme Poopuu

Salme Poopuu

Born: October 18, 1939
Died: May 13, 2017
Salme Poopuu (October 18, 1939 – May 13, 2017) was an Estonian filmmaker and actress. Poopuu's career in the film and television industry spanned nearly fifty years working in a variety of positions, such as an actress, production assistant, production manager, producer, assistant director and director.

Salme Poopuu was born in the village of Rahtla on the island of Saaremaa to Alexander Theodor Poopuu and Triinu Poopuu (née Tamm). She was one of three siblings. At age nine the family moved to Kuressaare. Poopuu attended school in Kuressaare until age thirteen when the family moved to the town of Türi in Järva County where she completed her studies. After graduation, she attended the University of Tartu where she studied economic geography and demography. At university, she met students Peep Puks, Paul-Eerik Rummo and Kulle Raig, who were all interested in filmmaking. Poopuu began experimenting with an 8 mm film camera and the group would spend time filming one another.

In 1969, Poopuu began work on the Madis Ojamaa directed music documentary Uksed as a production assistant. This would lead to a lengthy career in the film and television industry as a filmmaker, working on various productions as an actress, production assistant, production coordinator, production manager, producer, assistant director and director. From the early 1970s until 1996, she worked for Tallinnfilm in a number of positions. Afterward, she worked for Danish, Finnish, German and U.S. film production companies until 1998. From 1996 onward, she contributed to Estofilm, Exitfilm, RCE, Baltic Broadcast and Faama Film as a contracted project manager and an active film producer. During her lifetime, Poopuu worked as a filmmaker on over sixty television films and series and feature films.

In addition to her career as a filmmaker, Poopuu has also worked as a film and television actress since the late 1960s. One of her first significant, albeit small, roles was in the 1972 Sulev Nõmmik comedy television film Noor pensionär (English: "A Young Retiree") for Eesti Telefilm. Poopuu would spend the next several decades appearing in often small roles in motion pictures, telefilms, and television series. She is possibly best remembered by younger audiences for her appearances in such television series as Kättemaksukontor, Köök and, particularly, in the role of Salme in the Ergo Kuld directed Kanal 2 teen comedy-drama series Ühikarotid from 2010 until 2012. In 2016, she appeared in a cameo role in the music video "Mind ei koti" by the Estonian rapper Azma.

Salme Poopuu never married or had children. Beginning in her early 40s, she was in a relationship with a man that ended after fourteen years. She lived in Tallinn with a summer home in her childhood village of Rahtla on the island of Saaremaa. Poopuu was a longtime member of the Estonian Greens political party. She died in Tallinn at age 77.

Movies for Salme Poopuu...

Bad Hair Friday
Title: Bad Hair Friday
Character: Grandmother
Released: February 15, 2012
Type: Movie
At an ever-accelerating pace, this thriller / dark comedy tells the story of 8 very different groups whose paths cross in the space of 24 hours. We meet a wide range of characters - from spoiled rich brats to real bottom-feeding criminal scum, and everyone in-between. In the best traditions of Commedia dell’arte, the characters each have easily recognizable roles
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Title: Ühikarotid
Character: Salme 'Ühikamutt'
Released: March 8, 2010
Type: TV
Ühikarotid is an Estonian teen drama TV series that airs on Kanal 2. The series first aired on 8 March 2010. It's written by Martin Algus and produced by Tuuli Roosma. It's about students from different Estonian locations who spend their time in a student's dormitory in Tallinn.
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Title: Revenge Office
Character: Neighbour
Released: April 30, 2009
Type: TV
A group of women create a organisation named "Kättemaksukontor" to fight for the rights of women and help solve murder mysterys for the police.
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December Heat
Title: December Heat
Character: Elder of the Knighthood Building
Released: October 16, 2008
Type: Movie
The young country of Estonia is dancing to the jazzy tune of the 1920's when on December 1, 1924, the capital Tallinn is overrun by members of the Comintern in an attempt to stage a Communist coup. The film follows the fates of a young soldier called Tanel and his wife, a telephone operator named Anna, amidst the ensuing chaos which determines whether the country remains independent or becomes a minor province in the Communist Empire.
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Set Point
Title: Set Point
Character: Woman at Lasnamäe
Released: January 1, 2004
Type: Movie
On one summer evening, four strangers are brought together by a mysterious murder. A case which at first seems like a regular crime investigation turns out to be something more - a tale of love, alienation and new hope.
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Candles in the Dark
Title: Candles in the Dark
Released: December 3, 1993
Type: Movie
Candles in the Dark is the story of a girl who comes to visit her father's homeland, the Soviet Republic of Estonia. After she arrives, she finds that her father is part of the dissident anti-soviet underground. She soon find her self engulfed in the struggle with her father and a lot of new friends, and finds herself being hunted by the KGB.
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City Unplugged
Title: City Unplugged
Character: Nurse
Released: June 6, 1993
Type: Movie
In August, 1991, Estonia reclaims its independence from the USSR and brings to its national bank nearly $1 billion in gold bullion hidden in Paris for 50 years. Russian mobsters have a bold plan to hijack the gold after shutting down the capital's power at midnight
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Tear of the Prince of Darkness
Title: Tear of the Prince of Darkness
Character: Pie Seller at the Port
Released: March 6, 1993
Type: Movie
Tallinn, Estonia, days before outbreak of World War II. Hotel detective and Polish writer team up to find Tear of the Prince of Darkness, a legendary ring which can bring Satan’s rule over the world.
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The Witch
Title: The Witch
Released: January 1, 1988
Type: Movie
Everything seems to be fine in the life of a young woman who works as a paramedic. She has chosen a profession that requires understanding and compassion, but she herself needs help in quieting the restlessness in her soul. As a doctor, she lacks an emotional bond when interacting with her patients, she feels alienated from her surroundings and her fellow people.
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Young Pensioner
Title: Young Pensioner
Character: Girl
Released: May 6, 1972
Type: Movie
One lovely day a young man, a former ballet dancer suddenly finds himself on a pension and begins searching for a new place in life. Fate brings him together with a rather mischievous young day for whom her mother has been trying to find a tutor. Many exciting events begin to take place.