Rea Lest-Liik, a trailblazing Estonian thespian, burst onto the scene on May 14, 1990, and has since established herself as a stalwart figure in the world of Estonian cinema and theater. Her remarkable journey to stardom began in the 2010s, when she landed leading roles in several notable Estonian films, including the critically acclaimed "November" and "Manslayer/Virgin/Shadow". Throughout her illustrious career, Rea Lest-Liik has been recognized with a plethora of prestigious awards for her outstanding stage and film performances, a testament to her unwavering dedication to her craft.
Lest-Liik, a native of Tallinn, Estonia, was drawn to the captivating world of performing arts from a young age. This innate passion led her to enroll in the esteemed Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, where she dedicated herself to the study of acting under the expert guidance of the renowned instructor, Tiit Ojasoo.
Lest-Liik embarked on her professional journey following the completion of her academic pursuits, joining the esteemed Theatre NO99, a non-profit repertory theatre based in Tallinn, where she remained a valued member of the ensemble from 2014 to 2018.
Notably, her foray into the world of cinema commenced with the 2014 student film comedy short Lõputu suvi (Endless Summer),a creative endeavour directed by the talented Jaan Penjam.
Lest-Liik's career-defining moment unfolded in 2016 when she landed the pivotal role of Riin in the darkly comedic crime mystery film Ema (Mother),masterfully directed by the renowned Estonian filmmaker Kadri Kõusaar. This cinematic masterpiece garnered significant attention, ultimately being chosen as Estonia's official submission for the prestigious Academy Award for Best International Feature Film category at the 89th Academy Awards held in 2017.
In the year 2017, the talented actress Lest-Liik took on the starring role of Liina in the captivating gothic fantasy thriller November, masterfully directed by the renowned Rainer Sarnet, whose work was inspired by the 2000 novel Rehepapp ehk November penned by the esteemed Estonian author Andrus Kivirähk.
The film, November, garnered widespread critical acclaim and was subsequently chosen as the Estonian entry for the prestigious Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film at the 90th Academy Awards, a testament to its exceptional quality and craftsmanship.
In the same year, Estonian actress Lest-Liik took on a remarkable challenge by portraying three distinct protagonists in the thought-provoking drama "Mehetapja/Süütu/Vari", directed by Sulev Keedus.
Lest-Liik's impressive acting career has been marked by a consistent display of versatility and talent, resulting in a plethora of awards and accolades. One notable highlight was her leading role in the 2019 psychological thriller Skandinaavia vaikus, directed by Martti Helde and starring alongside Reimo Sagor. This critically acclaimed film went on to win both the critics' and audience awards at the prestigious 2019 Riga Film Festival, a testament to Lest-Liik's exceptional skills as a thespian.
