Arnold Rüütel Eesti rahva meeles ja keeles

Arnold Rüütel Eesti rahva meeles ja keeles is an Estonian-language documentary that released on 7 May 2025. The film centers on Arnold Rüütel, Estonia's third president, situating him within both the country's political history and its folk culture.

The documentary draws on the observation that Estonia has had six presidents and that Arnold Rüütel is the only one to have met all of them. It addresses his years in politics, his relationship with the Communist Party, and the broader changes he witnessed and shaped. Some describe him as the last of a particular kind of politician — referred to in the film's framing as a knightly figure.

Running alongside the political narrative is the story of his marriage to Ingrid Rüütel, which lasted 65 years. Ingrid was a folklorist who spent her career collecting and transcribing Estonian songs and stories. The film incorporates authentic folk music from her collection, and notes that she had not wished for Arnold to become president. Her work and perspective give the film a cultural dimension that runs parallel to its political account.