Rein Aren

Rein Aren (25 December 1927, in Tartu – 16 May 1990, in Tallinn) was an Estonian actor and ballet dancer known for his work in theatre, film, and television. He was active during the Soviet era and made significant contributions to Estonian performing arts across several decades.

Rein Aren

Early Life and Education

Rein Aren was born on 25 December 1927 in Tartu, Estonia. He developed an early interest in the performing arts, particularly in dance and acting. From 1946 to 1949, Aren worked as a choir singer and ballet dancer at the Vanemuine Theatre, which is one of Estonia’s oldest and most prominent theatres. In 1951, he graduated from the Estonian studio of GITIS (now the Russian Institute of Theatre Arts), one of the most prestigious theatre schools in the Soviet Union.^[1]

Career

Theatre

After graduating from GITIS, Aren joined the Estonian Drama Theatre in Tallinn, where he performed from 1951 until 1972. His repertoire included classical and contemporary roles, and he became known for his versatility on stage.

From 1973 to 1979, he was part of the Russian Theatre in Tallinn (Tallinna Vene Teater), where he acted in productions aimed at Russian-speaking audiences. He returned to the Estonian Drama Theatre in 1979, continuing his career there until his death.^[2]

Film and Television

Rein Aren appeared in several Estonian and Soviet films, often portraying character roles that demonstrated his depth as an actor. While his filmography is not widely known internationally, he contributed to the cultural landscape of Estonian cinema during a formative period. Some of the films he featured in include:

• Valge laev (1970)
• Inimesed sõdurisinelis (1968)
• Tuulevaikus (1970)

Interpretation

1990 Friends, Comradesas Igumeni 1990 Reginaas Ants' Father 1990 Entrance to the Maze( 1 episode ) as Froben - knigoizdatel 1990 Entrance to Labyrinthlike Froben

1989 Doctor Stockmannas Morten Kiil

1988 The Witch

1985 The R Document( 3 episodes ) 1985 Karoliine's Silver Yarnlike King 1985 Hundiseaduse aegu

1984 European Story 1984 Russia Is Young( 9 episodes ) as Snivin

1983 Runas Osvald Rass

1981 The Smacking Seaas Jaak Niilus

1980 Wedding Photolike Ants

1979 Pirates of the 20th Centuryas pirate captain "Master"

1976 Indreklike Slopašev

1974 Dangerous Gamesas Major, Vanamehe isa

1972 Forest Captainas Clarinet

1971 Black Sun 1971 Windy Beachlike Villem

1969 The Red Tentas Karl Eggi (uncredited)

1967 What Happened To Andres Lapeteus?like Haavik

1964 The Bicycle Tamerslike Karl 1964 Traceslike Robert

1963 Under the Same Roofas Peeter Arro

1961 Dangerous Curveslike Raivo

1959 Naughty Curveslike Raivo 1959 Uninvited Guests

1957 Pöördellike Arno

1955 Yachts at Sealike Juhan

Personal Life

Rein Aren was the older brother of Väino Aren, a well-known ballet dancer and actor in Estonia. The Aren brothers were both influential figures in the Estonian performing arts scene.^[3]

Legacy

Although not as internationally known, Rein Aren is remembered in Estonia as a dedicated stage performer and contributor to the country’s cultural history during the Soviet era. His work at the Vanemuine, Estonian Drama Theatre, and Russian Theatre helped shape generations of Estonian theatrical performance.

Death

Rein Aren died on 16 May 1990 in Tallinn, Estonia, just months before the country regained its independence from the Soviet Union.

Awards

• 1966: Honoured Artist of the Estonian SSR
• 1982: People's Artist of the Estonian SSR^[1]

Filmography

• 1955: Jahid merel
• 1961: Ohtlikud kurvid
• 1969: Punane telk
• 1980: Pulmapilt
• 1982: Corrida
• 1984: Karoliine hõbelõng
• 1984: Hundiseaduse aegu
• 1989: Regina