Biography

Helle Karis (1970–1988 Helle Murdmaa; February 4, 1944 Vändra – June 5, 2021) was an Estonian television and film director and screenwriter. In the years 1952–1957, Helle Karis studied at the Ida Urbel ballet studio in Tartu. When her father got a job in the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, the family moved to Tallinn. Helle Karis entered the 24th Secondary School in Tallinn (where she studied under Leo Tõnisson), which she graduated in 1962. In the years 1960–1962, she studied at the State Art Institute of the Estonian SSR in the painting studio of Henno Arrak, and in 1962–1964 at the study studio of the Estonian National Puppet Theater. From 1965 to 1970, she studied television direction at the Leningrad State Institute of Theatre, Music and Cinematography (LGITMiK). The theatrical music films "Legend" and "Orilemítisklusu" were completed as the final work of the institute. After graduating from high school, Helle Karis worked as an assistant TV director at Eesti Television and after graduating from the institute as a TV director there.