This movie depicts Stalin's Terror, from the point of view of a seven year old Estonian girl, Leelo. This period of time is a decade after Estonia was absorbed by the Soviet Union under the Hitler-Stalin Pact, and now that the war is over, Stalin can safely stomp out any sign of Estonian nationalism. Ethnic Russians lord it over ethnic Estonians with the threat of denunciations that lead to arbitrary deportation or arrest.
Since the external events marring the life of her family don't make sense, Leelo creates her own cause and effect. It doesn't help that the adults in her life don't and can't level with her, because then she might well say something indiscreet-- anti-Russian or anti-Communist. (She's not particularly good at following simple directions.)
Overall, it's a good kid's movie, and a good adult's movie, too.
Since the external events marring the life of her family don't make sense, Leelo creates her own cause and effect. It doesn't help that the adults in her life don't and can't level with her, because then she might well say something indiscreet-- anti-Russian or anti-Communist. (She's not particularly good at following simple directions.)
Overall, it's a good kid's movie, and a good adult's movie, too.