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Theodor Luts

1896 – 1980

Estonian film director and cinematographer

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About Theodor Luts

Lived 1896 – 1980 (aged 84). Theodor Luts was a Russian, Estonian and Finnish film director, cinematographer, screenwriter, military personnel and film producer.

Theodor Luts ( in Palamuse – 24 September 1980 in São Paulo) was an Estonian film director and cinematographer, brother of classic writer Oskar Luts. Theodor Luts was the first major figure of Estonian cinematography

His Noored kotkad (Young Eagles) (1927) is generally regarded as the cornerstone of Estonian cinema. Päikese lapsed (Children of the Sun) (1932), directed by Luts, was the first Estonian full length sound film.

After the Great Depression hit Estonia in the 1930s Theodor Luts produced mostly documentaries for a state subsidized film studio Eesti Kultuurfilm and also had a successful career in Finland.

Feature films directed by Luts in Finland include Salainen ase (1943) and Varjoja Kannaksella (1943).

After World War II and the Soviet occupation of Estonia, Luts emigrated to Brazil with his wife, actress and filmmaker Aksella Luts, where he directed Caraça, Porta do Céu in 1950.

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Important facts

Family & relationships

Spouse
Aksella Luts

People in Theodor Luts's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Theodor Luts's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Theodor Luts?

Estonian film director and cinematographer (1896–1980)

When was Theodor Luts born?

Theodor Luts was born on 14 August 1896 in Kuremaa, Palamuse.

When did Theodor Luts die?

Theodor Luts died on 24 September 1980 in São Paulo.

What was Theodor Luts's occupation?

Theodor Luts was a film director, cinematographer, screenwriter, military personnel and film producer.

What nationality was Theodor Luts?

Theodor Luts was Russian, Estonian and Finnish.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Theodor Luts

· Wikidata: Q450504

· DBpedia: Theodor Luts

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Theodor Luts. https://biography.guide/theodor-luts/

MLA: "Theodor Luts." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/theodor-luts/.

Chicago: "Theodor Luts." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/theodor-luts/.

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