The Poll Diaries

Main Plot

"The Poll Diaries," directed by Chris Kraus, is set in the turbulent period leading up to World War I. The story follows a young girl named Oda who returns to her family's estate in Estonia after her mother's death. Her father, Ebbo, is a reclusive and eccentric scientist conducting controversial experiments. Oda discovers a wounded Estonian anarchist, Schnaps, and secretly nurses him back to health, hiding him from her father and the authorities. As tensions rise both within the household and in the broader political landscape, Oda is caught between loyalty to her family and her growing empathy for Schnaps. The film explores themes of innocence, rebellion, and the clash between scientific pursuit and human compassion against the backdrop of impending war.

Characters

• Paula Beer plays Oda von Siering, a young girl who discovers a wounded Estonian anarchist and secretly nurses him back to health amidst the turmoil of pre-World War I.
• Edgar Selge plays Ebbo von Siering, a German doctor whose controversial medical practices and political views significantly impact the story's tension and character dynamics.
• Tambet Tuisk plays Mechlenburg, a German officer. His character's actions and decisions significantly impact the protagonist's journey and the unfolding events in the story.

Ending Explained

"The Poll Diaries," directed by Chris Kraus, concludes with a poignant and dramatic resolution. The film, set against the backdrop of World War I, follows 14-year-old Oda Schaefer, who lives in a secluded manor on the Baltic coast with her eccentric family. As the war intensifies, Oda discovers a wounded Estonian anarchist named Schnaps and secretly nurses him back to health, hiding him from her authoritarian father, Ebbo. In the climax, tensions escalate as Ebbo discovers Schnaps' presence. Ebbo, a fervent nationalist and scientist, represents the oppressive forces of the era, while Oda symbolizes innocence and rebellion against tyranny. The final confrontation between Ebbo and Schnaps results in Ebbo's death, symbolizing the collapse of the old oppressive order. Oda and Schnaps' escape signifies a glimmer of hope and the possibility of a new beginning amidst the chaos of war. The film concludes with Oda's departure from the manor, leaving behind her troubled past and stepping into an uncertain future. This ending underscores themes of resistance, the loss of innocence, and the quest for freedom in a tumultuous world.