Spring

The action begins in mid-autumn with Arno arriving at the parish school. Winter brings cold days, ice, and shared moments that test courage and loyalty. As spring arrives, relationships shift and the characters confront heartache and growth. The timeline captures the changing seasons as a metaphor for growing up.

The story unfolds around the parish school in Paunvere, a close-knit rural community where children from neighboring farms mix with the local townsfolk. The schoolyard and river become the stage for friendships, rivalries, and small-town rituals. The setting highlights how place shapes relationships, values, and the pace of life for these young characters.

🌱 Growing Up

The film follows Arno’s emergence from a shy newcomer into someone who questions, dares, and learns about his own heart. He navigates first loves, friendships, and the pressure to fit in within a small community. The narrative uses school life as a focused lens on adolescence, curiosity, and responsibility.

🎭 Pranks & Bonds

Toots’ antics propel much of the plot, revealing how mischief can both bind and destabilize a group. The class learns to balance humor with accountability as the teacher Laur mediates conflicts. Pranks test trust, courage, and the willingness to stand up for friends.

⚖️ Conflict & Loyalty

Clashes with the German schoolchildren expose social tensions in the village and the fragility of justice among youths. Arno’s actions, together with Lible, show how truth and loyalty can prevail when adults guide through difficult choices. The arc emphasizes the costs and value of standing by friends.

💔 Love & Loss

Teele’s affections shift as Imelik enters, leaving Arno to cope with heartbreak and a changing social circle. The romance arc mirrors the broader theme of growing up and motion toward new identities. By spring, Arno must reconcile his past feelings with a new sense of self.