PRESENTING THE LATEST FINNISH FEATURE FILMS
FIN NISH FIL MS 20 14 1
2014 BRINGS BACK OLD FAVOURITES AND INTRODUCES NEW TALENT Dear Friends. You will find in this catalogue a selection of Finnish feature films, both recent and upcoming. We are very proud of our strong domestic market share, 23% in 2013, and trust that it continues to thrive with these new titles. There are also a lot of gems with a real potential for the international marketplace. For example, Dome Karukoski, who was just selected for Variety’s prestigious Ten Directors to Watch list, will bring to the screens The Grump, a very opinionated 80-somethingyear-old who is forced to stay with his son and daughter-in-law while recuperating from an injury. 2014 also sees internationally recognised Finnish directors return with new works. Klaus Härö, whose Letters to Father Jacob (2009) was the Finnish entry for the Academy Awards and was also theatrically distributed in the US, has directed two films: Two Homes, a story about Malla who cares for everyone else’s needs except her own and the eagerly awaited international co-production The Fencer, which is situated in 1950s Estonia. J-P Valkeapää directs They Have Escaped, his first feature since the highly acclaimed Visitor (2008). To complement these we have many interesting debut directors and the directors, who will deliver their second feature films. One of the most interesting in the latter catagory is the large-scale international co-production, Jalmari Helander’s Big Game with Samuel L. Jackson starring. You are welcome to explore the rest of the films in this catalogue and find your own personal favourites and we will be happy to help you with the screeners of your choice. This catalogue will be kept up to date online at catalogue.ses.fi You will also find our latest high quality documentaries and shorts there and be able to enjoy the trailers or teasers of the films. Building on the previous successes 2014 promises to be yet another exciting year for Finnish cinema and we hope you will share it with us!
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FACTS
ADMISSIONS 7,8 million
BOX OFFICE 79 million euros
DOMESTIC MARKET SHARE 23%
CINEMA SCREENS
280 (95 % digitized)
FEATURE FILMS PRODUCED 45 (of which 14 co-productions)
TOTAL SUPPORT GRANTED 2013
26,8 million EUR (by the Finnish Film Foundation)
F N F M 2 1
FIN NISH FIL MS 20 14 CONTENTS
Foreword Cultural Export of Finnish Films 04 Festival Contacts for Feature Films 02 04
FEATURE FILMS; CHILDREN & YOUTH Ella and Friends 2 Jill and Joy 08 Ricky Rapper and Slick Leonard 06 07
FEATURE FILMS
Above Dark Waters August Fools 11 Big Game 12 Boy Upside Down 13 Changes 14 Concrete Night 15 The Disciple 16 The Fencer 17 The Grump 18 Heart Of A Lion 19 In The Footsteps Of Young Werther 20 Kalevala – A New Era 21 Korso 22 Kummeli V 23 Last Life Of Lucifer 24 Moomins On The Riviera 25 No Thank You 26 A Patriotic Man 27 The Princess Of Egypt 28 Raspberry Boat Refugee 29 Summertime 30 The Surrealist And His Naughty Hand 31 The Two And Only 32 They Have Escaped 33 Two Homes 09 10
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List of Finnish Production Companies
CULTURAL EXPORT OF FINNISH FILMS The Finnish Film Foundation is responsible for the cultural export and international promotion of Finnish films. Our aim is to increase the visibility of Finnish films and aid their international distribution. Major international film festivals offer Finnish films an important channel to foreign markets.
Festivals together with other Nordic film institutes under the ‘Scandinavian Films’ banner. To promote short and documentary films, The Nordic film institutes and the Finnish Film Foundation cooperate at the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival in France, International Documentary Film Festival (IDFA) in Amsterdam, and at the Nordisk Panorama event.
We aim to find the appropriate international venue for each film in order to reach its target audience. Festival distribution is complemented by Finnish film weeks organized around the world in partnership with Finnish embassies and cultural institutes.
The Finnish Film Foundation cooperates in international promotion with The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, AVEK - The Promotion Centre for Audiovisual Culture and FAVEX. The Finnish Film Foundation grants support for the promotional activities.
The Finnish Film Foundation participates in film markets at the Berlin, Cannes and Toronto Film
FESTIVAL CONTACTS FOR FEATURE FILMS JAANA PUSKALA HEAD OF FEATURE FILM PROMOTION jaana.puskala@ses.fi +358 9 62 20 3026
JENNI DOMINGO ASSISTANT OF FEATURE FILM PROMOTION jenni.domingo@ses.fi +358 9 62 20 3032
KATI NUORA INTERNATIONAL INFORMATION kati.nuora@ses.fi +358 9 62 20 3020
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FEA TURE FIL MS
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FEATURE FILMS: CHILDREN & YOUTH
SNAPPER FILMS DCP | 2.35:1 | 89’
SECOND FEATURE
FINNISH PREMIERE: DECEMBER 27, 2013
ELLA AND FRIENDS 2 ELLA JA KAVERIT 2 - PATEROCK
The adventures of Ella and her friends continue in an independent sequel ELLA AND FRIENDS 2 – PATEROCK. A heart-warming, music flavoured and hilariously funny family film is based on the best-selling Finnish children’s books. This time Ella’s friend Pate has hard time learning multiplication tables. With a little help from his friends, he decides to be a rockstar so he wouldn’t need to study anymore but his manager could study for him. Soon music industry has big plans for Pate aka Paterock.
DIRECTOR: MARKO MÄKILAAKSO SCRIPT: TIMO PARVELA CINEMATOGRAPHY: JUGE HEIKKILÄ EDITING: WALTTERI PÄÄKKÖNEN MUSIC: DJ SLOW SOUND DESIGN: KIMMO PERKKIÖ SET DESIGN: EVELIINA VIITANEN COSTUMES: HENNA SAARIVUORI CAST: EERO MILONOFF, JARKKO NIEMI, MALLA MALMIVAARA, ARMI TOIVANEN, IINA KUUSTONEN, PIRKKA-PEKKA PETELIUS, JOUKO AHOLA, FREJA TEIJONSALO, JYRY KORTELAINEN, AKI LAIHO, EMILIA PAASONEN, ARTTURI AUVINEN, AURA MIKKONEN, EETU JULIN PRODUCER: JUHA WUOLIJOKI PRODUCTION COMPANY: SNAPPER FILMS OY PRODUCTION SUPPORT: THE FINNISH FILM FOUNDATION, EU MEDIA PROGRAM FINANCING TV COMPANIES: MTV3 DISTRIBUTION IN FINLAND: SNAPPER FILMS DISTRIBUTION INTERNATIONAL SALES: TBA
MARKO MÄKILAAKSO is an established feature film and music video director who has gained an international reputation for his strong visual style and storytelling abilities. In 2007 Marko directed his first feature film, an international co-production WAR OF THE DEAD, that has been released in all major territories. ELLA AND FRIENDS 2 is Marko Mäkilaakso’s first family feature.
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FEATURE FILMS: CHILDREN & YOUTH
ZODIAK FINLAND DCP | 1.85:1 | 80’
FINNISH PREMIERE: JANUARY 17, 2014
JILL AND JOY ONNELI JA ANNELI Jill and Joy is a movie about two little girls, Jill and Joy, who are the best of friends. They find money on the street on the first day of the summer holiday and buy with it a house from mysterious Mrs Rosebud. It is a real dream house, measured and equipped exactly for Jill and Joy’s requirements. The girls start to live the summer of their dreams, which is full of adventure and surprises. The film Jill and Joy is based on Marjatta Kurenniemi’s beloved book ”The House of Jill and Joy”.
DIRECTOR: SAARA CANTELL SCRIPT: SAMI KESKI-VÄHÄLÄ (BASED ON THE BOOK THE HOUSE OF JILL AND JOY BY MARJATTA KURENNIEMI) CINEMATOGRAPHY: MARITA HÄLLFORS EDITING: ANNE LAKANEN MUSIC: ANNA-MARI KÄHÄRÄ SOUND DESIGN: PIETARI KOSKINEN SET DESIGN: MINNA SANTAKARI COSTUMES: AULI TURTIAINEN CAST: AAVA MERIKANTO, LILJA LEHTO, JAAKKO SAARILUOMA, EIJA AHVO, JOHANNA AF SCHULTÉN, ELINA KNIHTILÄ, KITI KOKKONEN, SAMULI VAURAMO, KRISTIINA ELSTELÄ, ELIAS KOISTINEN PRODUCERS: TEEA HYYTIÄ, SARI LEMPIÄINEN PRODUCTION COMPANY: ZODIAK FINLAND OY PRODUCTION SUPPORT: FINNISH FILM FOUNDATION, NORDISK FILM AND TV FOND, CHURCH MEDIA FOUNDATION FINANCING TV COMPANIES: YLE DISTRIBUTION IN FINLAND: NORDISK FILM INTERNATIONAL SALES: TBA
SAARA CANTELL (1968) is a freelance director and scriptwriter from Helsinki. She has directed numerous awarded short films, i.e. Portrait (2003), and The Great Journey (2005), a couple of TV series, and five feature films (Unna & Nuuk, 2006; Heartbeats, 2010; The Stars Above, 2012, The Two and Only, 2013 and Jill and Joy, 2014). In 2011, she received a doctorate in arts with a dissertation on the narrative tools in under-15-minute short films. Saara Cantell has been awarded with State Quality Prize as well as with the State Film Prize together with the cinematographer Marita Hällfors. She has also been nominated for the Finnish ”Oscar”, Jussi-prize and selected as the Director of the year in 2010.
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FEATURE FILMS: CHILDREN & YOUTH
ARTISTA FILMI DCP | 2,39:1 | 79’
FINNISH PREMIERE: FEBRUARY 7, 2014
RICKY RAPPER AND SLICK LEONARD RISTO RÄPPÄÄJÄ JA LIUKAS LENNART Ricky lives together with his aunt Rose Rapper, who suddenly gets an idea, that Ricky dislikes; She think that they should find a man who could be a father figure to Ricky. Their neighbour Lennart doesn’t like Rose’s idea either, because he has a crush on her. Therefore Lennart tries to create that perfect man for Rose and father figure to Ricky. But it gets complicated, since he has to play several characters at the same time. When Ricky and his friend Nelly get to know about Lennart’s secret, they do everything they can to help him out.
DIRECTOR: TIMO KOIVUSALO SCRIPT: SINIKKA NOPOLA, TIINA NOPOLA & TIMO KOIVUSALO CINEMATOGRAPHY: PERTTI MUTANEN EDITING: JYRKI LUUKKO & TIMO KOIVUSALO MUSIC: ESA NIEMINEN SOUND DESIGN: JYRKI LUUKKO SET DESIGN: MARKKU MYLLYMÄKI COSTUMES: ERJA MIKKOLA CAST: SAMUEL SHIPWAY, SANNI PAATSO, VESA VIERIKKO, MINTTU MUSTAKALLIO, RIITTA HAVUKAINEN PRODUCER: TIMO KOIVUSALO PRODUCTION COMPANY: ARTISTA FILMI OY CO-PRODUCTION COMPANIES: RICKY RAPPER OY PRODUCTION SUPPORT: THE FINNISH FILM FOUNDATION FINANCING TV COMPANIES: MTV3 DISTRIBUTION IN FINLAND: THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY NORDIC INTERNATIONAL SALES: ARTISTA FILMI OY / SUSANNA PALIN
TIMO KOIVUSALO is a Finnish producer, director, writer and editor. He is the owner of the production company Artista Filmi. Since 1994 he has directed 13 feature films, both drama comedies such as The Leaning Tower and historic epochs such as Sibelius. He has received several film awards in Finland. Koivusalo has been a famous TV host since 1992 and has also made success in the music business. Several of his songs have resulted in Gold and Platinum records. He has composed music for 7 feature films.
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FEATURE FILMS
SOLAR FILMS INC DCP | 2.35:1 | 108’
FINNISH PREMIERE: SEPTEMBER 6, 2013
ABOVE DARK WATERS
DEBUT
TUMMAN VEDEN PÄÄLLÄ Based on the Novel by the same name, written by director Peter Franzén about his childhood experiences, Above Dark Waters is a touching story of a boy (Pete) and his family in Northern Finland. It’s a story seen through the eyes of a 7 year old, trying to remain a child. Pete’s love toward his family is strong, but soon we understand that the life inside the home is far from perfect. Pete’s father changes, Pete doesn’t recognize him anymore and the fear of the unpredictable is always present. Pete’s friend brings the light and his Grandparent’s home is a safe haven.
DIRECTOR: PETER FRANZÉN SCRIPT: PETER FRANZÉN CINEMATOGRAPHY: PINI HELLSTEDT F.S.C. EDITING: KIMMO TAAVILA SOUND DESIGN: JOONAS JYRÄLÄ SET DESIGN: PIRJO ROSSI COSTUMES: TIINA KAUKANEN CAST: OLAVI ANGERVO, SAMULI EDELMANN, MATLEENA KUUSNIEMI, ISMO KALLIO, MARIA PACKALÉN, MARI PERANKOSKI, PETER FRANZÉN PRODUCERS: MARKUS SELIN, JUKKA HELLE PRODUCTION COMPANY: SOLAR FILMS INC PRODUCTION SUPPORT: THE FINNISH FILM FOUNDATION FINANCING TV COMPANIES: CHANNEL FOUR FINLAND DISTRIBUTION IN FINLAND: NORDISK FILM OY
PETER FRANZÉN (b. 1971) is one of the most respected Finnish actors. Franzén is a graduate of the Helsinki University of Arts. While he has always considered acting on stage very important, his focus has been in the world of movies, as an actor he has appeared in more than 40 films and 15 TV series. He has been awarded the Jussi Award three times; for best supporting actor in A Summer By The River (1998) and for best actor in Dog Nail Clipper (2004) and Hellsinki (2009).
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FEATURE FILMS
KINOSTO DCP | 2.35:1 | 103’
FINNISH PREMIERE: OCTOBER 4, 2013
AUGUST FOOLS MIELETÖN ELOKUU Elsa, a middle-aged milliner and part-time clairvoyant, runs the smartest little hat-shop in the heart of Helsinki, 1962. She has total control of her life until the man she once loved and lost suddenly reappears. Jan is in town to perform at the Festival with his Czech jazz band. For more than two decades Elsa has believed the man to be dead. Initially, Elsa wants to stay away from Jan but he is persistent, persuasive and charming.
DIRECTOR: TARU MÄKELÄ SCRIPT: RAIJA TALVIO CINEMATOGRAPHY: JOUKO SEPPÄLÄ F.S.C. EDITING: INGE-LISE LANGFELDT MUSIC: STEIN BERGE SVENDSEN SOUND DESIGN: PIETARI KOSKINEN SET DESIGN: JAN KADLEC COSTUMES: KATARINA ŠTRBOVÁ-BIELIKOVÁ CAST: KATI OUTINEN, MIROSLAV ETZLER, ELENA LEEVE, KRYŠTOF HÁDEK, LAURA BIRN AND ESKO SALMINEN PRODUCER: MARKKU FLINK PRODUCTION COMPANY: KINOSTO CO-PRODUCTION COMPANIES: POMOR FILM (NOR), FOG´N´DESIRE FILMS (CZ) PRODUCTION SUPPORT: FINNISH FILM FOUNDATION, NORWEGIAN FILM INSTITUTE, MINISTRY OF CULTURE CZECH REPUBLIC, NORDIC FILM AND TV FUND, EURIMAGES FINANCING TV COMPANIES: YLE CO-PRODUCTIONS, CZECH TELEVISION DISTRIBUTION IN FINLAND: NORDISK FILM OY INTERNATIONAL SALES: TBA
TARU MÄKELÄ August Fools, the latest film from director Taru Mäkelä, continues her successful career in directing comedies and feel good films with social satire and sharp humor. Previous film Storage, an (un) romantic comedy about people in a paint store, was a box office hit in Finland in 2012. Little Sister, her first feature film, was nominated as the Finnish competitor to the contest of the best Nordic film 2000.
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FEATURE FILMS
SUBZERO FILM ENTERTAINMENT DCP | 2.35:1 | 90’
FINNISH PREMIERE: 2015
BIG GAME
SECOND FEATURE
BIG GAME BIG GAME is the much anticipated new action film from the team behind the acclaimed RARE EXPORTS: A CHRISTMAS TALE. When Air Force One is shot down by terrorists leaving The President of the United States stranded in the wilderness, there is only person around who can save him – a 13-year old boy, Oskari. The fate of the most powerful man on the planet lies in the hands of one boy.
DIRECTOR: JALMARI HELANDER SCRIPT: JALMARI HELANDER, BASED ON A STORY BY JALMARI HELANDER AND PETRI JOKIRANTA CINEMATOGRAPHY: MIKA ORASMAA EDITING: IIKKA HESSE MUSIC: JURI SEPPÄ AND MISKA SEPPÄ SOUND DESIGN: TUOMAS SEPPÄNEN AND TIMO ANTTILA SET DESIGN: CHRISTIAN EISELE COSTUMES: MO VORWERCK CAST: SAMUEL L. JACKSON, ONNI TOMMILA, JIM BROADBENT, RAY STEVENSON, MEHMET KURTULUS, FELICITY HUFFMAN, TED LEVINE, VICTOR GARBER, JORMA TOMMILA, RISTO SALMI, RAUNO JUVONEN PRODUCERS: PETRI JOKIRANTA, WILL CLARKE, ANDY MAYSON, JENS MEURER PRODUCTION COMPANY: SUBZERO FILM ENTERTAINMENT CO-PRODUCTION COMPANIES: ALTITUDE FILM ENTERTAINMENT, EGOLI TOSSELL FILM FINANCING: FINNISH FILM FOUNDATION; NORDISK FILM & TV FOND; VISIONPLUS FUND; BAVARIAN FILM PARTNERS; BAVARIAN FILM AND TELEVISION FUND (FFFBAYERN); GERMAN FEDERAL FILM FUND (DFFF), ALONG WITH COMERICA BANK ENTERTAINMENT GROUP AND KFW BANKENGRUPPE. DEVELOPMENT AND BRIDGEFINANCING HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY HEADGEAR, FILM HOUSE GERMANY AND MERG FILMS. FINANCING TV COMPANIES: YLE DISTRIBUTION IN FINLAND: OY NORDISK FILM AB INTERNATIONAL SALES: ALTITUDE FILM SALES
JALMARI HELANDER As director and writer, Jalmari Helander comments: “BIG GAME is an action adventure story on an epic scale. I’m delighted to be taking this genre on as it has always been very close to my heart, as action-packed adventure stories contain the elements that I believe make movies that are worth watching.” BIG GAME is Helander´s second feature film. RARE EXPORTS: A CHRISTMAS TALE (2010) by Jalmari Helander and produced by Petri Jokiranta was released in several major territories simultaneously in Christmas and it has won numerous awards such as the Variety Piazza Grande award in Locarno and the Best Motion Picture and Best Director in Sitges.
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FEATURE FILMS
EDITH FILM & FIRST FLOOR PRODUCTIONS DCP | 90’
DEBUT
FINNISH PREMIERE: AUGUST 2014
BOY UPSIDE DOWN AIKUISTEN POIKA
A small town tragicomedy about an 11-year old boy named Oliver, whose parents die in a car accident. Refusing to mourn, the boy instead develops an obsession with investigating the accident.
DIRECTOR: JUHA LEHTOLA SCRIPT: JUHA LEHTOLA CINEMATOGRAPHY: HENA BLOMBERG F.S.C. CAST: ESA NIKKILÄ, HISSU HIETALAHTI, MARIA HEISKANEN, TOMMI KORPELA, SUSANNA HAAVISTO, ESKO SALMINEN, SULEVI PELTOLA SOUND DESIGN: TERO MALMBERG SET DESIGN: OTSO LINNALAAKSO COSTUMES: ANNA VILPPUNEN PRODUCERS: LIISA PENTTILÄ-ASIKAINEN, PAULI PENTTI PRODUCTION COMPANIES: EDITH FILM AND FIRST FLOOR PRODUCTIONS PRODUCTION SUPPORT: THE FINNISH FILM FOUNDATION DISTRIBUTION IN FINLAND: SF FILM INTERNATIONAL SALES: TBA
JUHA LEHTOLA studied in the screenwriting program of the Finnish Film Foundation and YLE, and graduated as a screenwriter in 1989. He pursued his studies at the Theatre Academy Helsinki (1989-1994). During his career Lehtola has successfully worked in both theatre and television as a director, screenwriter and playwright. His plays, television series and TV films have won numerous awards in Finland and on the international stage. He is also a sought after teacher.
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FEATURE FILMS
INLAND FILM COMPANY DCP | 1,85:1 | 90’
FINNISH PREMIERE: APRIL 4, 2014
CHANGES
DEBUT
MUUTOKSII Living in the Herttoniemi suburb in Eastern Helsinki, 12 year-olds Antti and Muhis have been best friends since kindergarten. Muhis is from a Somali background and the boys’ friendship is tested when a local racist-alcoholicmonster lays his hands on Muhis. A struggle ensues and Antti accidentally shoves the man off a cliff and into the sea. The boys swear to never ever tell anyone and take this secret to their graves.
DIRECTOR: SAMI LAITINEN SCRIPT: SAMI LAITINEN CINEMATOGRAPHY: ARTTU PELTOMAA EDITING: ALEKSI RAIJ AND JUKKA METSÄAHO MUSIC: BOMMITOMMI SOUND DESIGN: ANTTI ONKILA SET DESIGN: ANNE KARTTUNEN COSTUMES: ANU GOULD, HENNA SAARIVUORI CAST: TIITUS RANTALA, SAMI HUSSEIN, MILANA NOVOKMET, NUUTTI KONTTINEN, AMANDA LÖFMAN PRODUCER: KLAUS HEYDEMANN PRODUCTION COMPANY: INLAND FILM COMPANY OY PRODUCTION SUPPORT: FINNISH FILM FOUNDATION FINANCING TV COMPANIES: SBS DISCOVERY FINLAND– CHANNELS 5 & 6 DISTRIBUTION IN FINLAND: PEK INTERNATIONAL SALES: INLAND FILM COMPANY OY
SAMI LAITINEN‘s background is in theater and film. Self tought filmmaker, who debuts with CHANGES as his first feature film.
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FEATURE FILMS
BUFO DCP | 2.39:1 | 96’
FINNISH PREMIERE: NOVEMBER 1, 2013
CONCRETE NIGHT BETONIYÖ
VILLE TANTTU
Concrete Night opens in a cramped, concrete-jungle home. Ilkka, the elder of the two brothers, is leaving to serve a prison sentence. During Ilkka’s last 24 hours of freedom, his younger brother, vulnerable Simo, follows the brother he admires through the fateful events of that night. Pirjo Honkasalo’s bold and perceptive urban film is a dream-like odyssey about a fragile mind of a young boy and the loss of innocence.
DIRECTOR: PIRJO HONKASALO SCRIPT: PIRJO HONKASALO, PIRKKO SAISIO CINEMATOGRAPHY: PETER FLINCKENBERG EDITING: NIELS PAGH ANDERSEN MUSIC: KARL FRID, PÄR FRID SOUND DESIGN: JAN ALVEMARK SET DESIGN: PENTTI VALKEASUO COSTUMES: SAIJA SIEKKINEN CAST: JOHANNES BROTHERUS, JARI VIRMAN, ANNELI KARPPINEN, JUHAN ULFSAK PRODUCERS: MISHA JAARI, MARK LWOFF PRODUCTION COMPANY: BUFO CO-PRODUCTION COMPANIES: PLATTFORM PRODUKTION, MAGIC HOUR FILMS PRODUCTION SUPPORT: THE FINNISH FILM FOUNDATION, NORDIC FILM AND TV FUND, SWEDISH FILM INSTITUTE, DANISH FILM INSTITUTE FINANCING TV COMPANIES: YLE, DR DISTRIBUTION IN FINLAND: CINEMA MONDO INTERNATIONAL SALES: FILM REPUBLIC
PIRJO HONKASALO is a highly established director, cinematographer and screenwriter who has won countless awards for her work. She directed several feature films in the 1970’s and 80’s together with Pekka Lehto, e.g. Flame Top in Cannes competition 1980. In the 1990’s she continued alone and turned to feature documentaries, directing the prize winning The Trilogy of the Sacred and the Satanic (Mysterion, Tanjuska and the 7 Devils and Atman). She has also directed the stunningly beautiful The 3 Rooms of Melancholia, which is still one of the highest award winning feature documentaries ever. She has had well over twenty retrospectives of her work world wide, acted as a member of several international juries and is actively giving international master classes. Concrete Night marks her return to feature fiction.
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FEATURE FILMS
LÅNGFILM PRODUCTIONS FINLAND DCP | 2.35:1 | 93’
FINNISH PREMIERE: SEPTEMBER 27, 2013
THE DISCIPLE
SECOND FEATURE
LÄRJUNGEN An isolated island in the Baltic Sea in the summer of 1939: Thirteen-year-old Karl comes to the island to work as lighthouse master Hasselbond’s assistant. Master Hasselbond turns Karl down because of his young age. Karl struggles desperately to stay on. Karl and Hasselbond’s oppressed son, Gustaf, make friends but their friendship changes to rivalry and hate when Hasselbond starts to favor Karl over his own son.
DIRECTOR: ULRIKA BENGTS SCRIPT: ROLAND FAUSER, JIMMY KARLSSON CINEMATOGRAPHY: ROBERT NORDSTRÖM EDITING: TUOMO LEINO MUSIC: PETER HÄGERSTRAND SOUND DESIGN: RISTO IISSALO SET DESIGN: KATARINA LUME COSTUMES: RIITTA PETERI CAST: ERIK LÖNNGREN, PATRIK KUMPULAINEN, NIKLAS GROUNDSTROEM, AMANDA OOMS, PING MON WALLÉN PRODUCER: MATS LÅNGBACKA PRODUCTION COMPANY: LÅNGFILM PRODUCTIONS FINLAND OY PRODUCTION SUPPORT: THE FINNISH FILM FOUNDATION FINANCING TV COMPANIES: YLE, SVT DISTRIBUTION IN FINLAND: LÅNGFILM PRODUCTIONS FINLAND OY INTERNATIONAL SALES: TBA
ULRIKA BENGTS (b. 1962) is a Finnish film director, who also works as a screenwriter and theater director. She is a graduate of the Stockholm Academy of Dramatic Arts and has directed more than 20 short films, television series and documentaries. Her first feature Iris (2011) was awarded at both national and international film festivals. The Disciple is her second feature, winner of the Alice nella città competition in Rome and selected as the Finnish contender for the Foreign Language Film 2013 Academy Award.
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FEATURE FILMS
MAKING MOVIES DCP | 2,35:1 | 100’
FINNISH PREMIERE: 2014
THE FENCER MIEKKAILIJA Fleeing from the Stalin’s secret police, an ambitious young fencer finds himself teaching small town children in a godforsaken Estonian spa resort, only to realize that this is exactly what he wants to do in life.
DIRECTOR: KLAUS HÄRÖ SCRIPT: ANNA HEINÄMAA CINEMATOGRAPHY: TUOMO HUTRI SET DESIGN: JAAGUP ROOMET COSTUMES: TIINA KAUKANEN CAST: MÄRT AVANDI, URSULA RATASEPP, HENDRIK TOOMPERE PRODUCERS: KAI NORDBERG & KAARLE AHO, JÖRG BUNDSCHUH & IVO FELT PRODUCTION COMPANY: MAKING MOVIES (FIN) CO-PRODUCTION COMPANIES: KICK FILM (GER), ALLFILM (EE) PRODUCTION SUPPORT: FINNISH FILM FOUNDATION, ESTONIAN FILM INSTITUTE, FFF BAYERN, EURIMAGES, ESTONIAN CULTURAL ENDOWMENT FINANCING TV COMPANIES: YLE, ERR DISTRIBUTION IN FINLAND: NORDISK FILM INTERNATIONAL SALES: TBA
KLAUS HÄRÖ (b. 1971, Finland) has directed four feature films: Elina (2003), Mother of Mine (2005), The New Man (2007) and Letters to Father Jacob (2009). He has won numerous prizes around the world including Ingmar Bergman award in Sweden 2004 from Elina and Jussi-award for the best Finnish directing from Letters to Father Jacob in 2010.
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FEATURE FILMS
SOLAR FILMS INC DCP | 2,35:1
FINNISH PREMIERE: SEPTEMBER 12, 2014
THE GRUMP MIELENSÄPAHOITTAJA JA MINIÄ The Grump is a story about a die-hard old man in his eighties, outspoken and stubborn. He thinks everything was much better in the old days. The Story unfolds as The Grump falls down on his basement steps, hurting his ankle. His city-dwelling son finds him; the doctor wants to send him to City to attend physiotherapy - staying with his son and daughter-in-law. Now The Grump has to face the world changing.
DIRECTOR: DOME KARUKOSKI SCRIPT: TUOMAS KYRÖ AND DOME KARUKOSKI CINEMATOGRAPHY: PINI HELLSTEDT EDITING: HARRI YLÖNEN MUSIC: HILMAR ORN HILMARSSON SET DESIGN: BETSY ÅNGERMAN-ENGSTRÖM COSTUMES: ANNA VILPPUNEN CASTING: PIA PESONEN, TUTSA HUUHKA PRODUCERS: JUKKA HELLE, MARKUS SELIN PRODUCTION COMPANY: SOLAR FILMS INC DISTRIBUTION IN FINLAND: NORDISK FILM
DOME KARUKOSKI (b. 1976, Cyprus) is one of Finland’s most successful young film directors with over 30 festival awards and having directed four feature films that have sold more than 100,000 tickets – the rule-of-thumb measure for a blockbuster in the territory. His previous film Heart of a Lion opened in Toronto International Film Festival to critical acclaim. In December 2013 Karukoski was selected as one of the Variety’s 10 Directors to Watch.
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FEATURE FILMS
HELSINKI-FILMI DCP | 2.39:1 | 104’
FINNISH PREMIERE: OCTOBER 18, 2013
HEART OF A LION LEIJONASYDÄN Teppo meets and falls in love with the beautiful blonde Sari. But this is to be no ordinary love affair. Teppo is a central figure in a neo-Nazi group and when he meets Sari’s son, he is in for a big surprise. Sari’s son is called Rhamadhani and he is black. Naturally for Teppo this is a huge dilema. On the one hand he has this passionate love affair with a wonderful woman, and a chance to fulfil dreams of parenting and family, and on the other a long held belief based on discrimination, ignorance and hatred. When Sari gets pregnant Teppo decides to do his best to make peace with Rhamadhani. With his brother and his old Nazi group threatening over his shoulder, he is forced to make a stand. It’s a simple choice between love or hate.
DIRECTOR: DOME KARUKOSKI SCRIPT: ALEKSI BARDY CINEMATOGRAPHY: HENA BLOMBERG EDITING: HARRI YLÖNEN SET DESIGN: ANTTI NIKKINEN COSTUMES: ANNA VILPPUNEN CAST: PETER FRANZEN, YUSUFA SIDIBEH, LAURA BIRN, JASPER PÄÄKKÖNEN, PAMELA TOLA, JUSSI VATANEN, TIMO LAVIKAINEN, NIKO VAKKURI, MIKKO NEUVONEN PRODUCER: ALEKSI BARDY PRODUCTION COMPANY: HELSINKI -FILMI OY PRODUCTION SUPPORT: THE FINNISH FILM FOUNDATION FINANCING TV COMPANIES: YLE DISTRIBUTION IN FINLAND: SCANBOX ENTERTAINMENT FINLAND OY INTERNATIONAL SALES: THE YELLOW AFFAIR
DOME KARUKOSKI (b. 1976, Cyprus) is one of Finland’s most successful young film directors with over 30 festival awards and having directed four feature films that have sold more than 100,000 tickets – the rule-of-thumb measure for a blockbuster in the territory. His previous film Lapland Odyssey was the number one film in the Finnish box office of 2010. It was also selected as the best Finnish film of the year in the Jussi film awards.
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FEATURE FILMS
VEGETARIAN FILMS DCP | 2.35:1 | 94’
FINNISH PREMIERE: NOVEMBER 22, 2013
IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF YOUNG WERTHER NUOREN WERTHERIN JÄLJILLÄ In the Footsteps of Young Werther tells the story of a father and son, who haven’t met for 15 years after the divorce. The father, sculptor Viitanen, learns his son Eero has died and starts to explore what kind of a son he had. He meets people who knew Eero and learns that Eero moved into the area with hopes of meeting him. Viitanen also meets Katri, a 30-year-old day care teacher, who seems to have had an affair with Eero.
DIRECTOR: JARMO LAMPELA SCRIPT: JARMO LAMPELA (BASED ON THE ULRICH PLENZDORF’S NOVEL NEW SORROWS OF YOUNG W) CINEMATOGRAPHY: AARNE TAPOLA EDITING: KAUKO LINDFORS MUSIC: PETRI NIEMINEN SOUND DESIGN: PATRICK BOULENGER SET DESIGN: TOMI LAURI COSTUMES: NIINA PASANEN CAST: JYRI OJANSIVU, IINA KUUSTONEN, JUHA KUKKONEN PRODUCER: JARMO LAMPELA PRODUCTION COMPANY: VEGETARIAN FILMS PRODUCTION SUPPORT: THE FINNISH FILM FOUNDATION FINANCING TV COMPANIES: YLE TV 1 DISTRIBUTION IN FINLAND: SF FILM
JARMO LAMPELA (b. 1964) has directed several film and TV productions since 1991, he has also worked as a screenwriter and theater director. Since 2007 Lampela started as professor of directing at ELO film school Helsinki of Aalto university, Helsinki.
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FEATURE FILMS
SEPPÄ CALLAHANIN FILMIMAAILMA DCP | 16:9 | 110’
FINNISH PREMIERE: NOVEMBER 15, 2013
KALEVALA – A NEW ERA KALEVALA – UUSI AIKA In the beginning of times, there were only void and the bird. The bird laid an egg, out of which Väinämöinen, the first child, was born. Later in the village of Kalevala, Väinämöinen and Smith Ilmarinen decide to forge a sampo as a mystery for humankind. The sampo is a miracle mill, said to give all the wealth one can ask for. Louhi, the Mistress of Pohjola, hears about the sampo and wants it for herself. She gathers her allies and the battle over the sampo begins. At present - A Large international corporation is ready to launch a new invention that can control the human mind. The CEO, Sampo Väinölä, struggles within the conflict of possibilities and pressures. He becomes aware of the ancient powers and understands that the battle between Kalevala and Pohjola is still ongoing. The truth about the sampo is about to be revealed.
DIRECTOR: JARI HALONEN ORIGINAL SCRIPT: JARI HALONEN CINEMATOGRAPHY: PÄIVI KETTUNEN EDITING: AKKE EKLUND MUSIC: KARL SINKKONEN SOUND DESIGN: PETER NORDSTRÖM COSTUMES: ANU PIRILÄ CAST: TOMMI ERONEN, KONSTA MÄKELÄ, TANJALOTTA RÄIKKÄ, ARI VAKKILAINEN, PIRJO LONKA, VILLE TIIHONEN, OLAVI UUSIVIRTA, PAULI PORANEN, MAIJALIISA STRÖM PRODUCERS: JARI HALONEN, ELLI HALONEN PRODUCTION COMPANY: SEPPÄ CALLAHANIN FILMIMAAILMA OY PRODUCTION SUPPORT: THE FINNISH FILM FOUNDATION FINANCING TV COMPANIES: YLE DISTRIBUTION IN FINLAND: VLMEDIA OY
JARI HALONEN Film director and producer Jari Halonen has a long history in creating and directing controversial films from current topics. Halonen has a very distinctive style, which has been both criticized and praised by the critics. His first feature film Back to the USSR was one of the first Finnish film to be distributed in The United States. His previous movies (Back to the USSR, Lipton Cockton – In the Shadows of Sodoma, Christmas Party and The Life of Aleksis Kivi) are all regarded as classics in Finnish film history. Nearly a decade ago he took the topic of Finnish epic, Kalevala (National poem), to present a different view and a deeper understanding of the Finnish ancient knowledge and philosophy. Kalevala – A New Era premiers in 15.11.2013.
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FEATURE FILMS
BUFO LTD & TUFFI FILMS DCP | 2.39:1 | 84’
FINNISH PREMIERE: FEBRUARY 28, 2014
KORSO
DEBUT
KORSO Young Markus dreams of becoming a street ball star in New York. In reality he lives in the god-forsaken suburb called Korso and spends his days drinking and playing basketball with his friends in a run-down warehouse. When little sister Heta introduces Markus to her new boyfriend, self-assured college boy Jojo, Markus’ dream is finally put to test. In order to save his face, Markus sets out to prove that his dream can really come true. But can even a ridiculous dream help him find his own way?
DIRECTOR: AKSELI TUOMIVAARA SCRIPT: KIRSIKKA SAARI, JENNI TOIVONIEMI CINEMATOGRAPHY: JUICE HUHTALA EDITING: JUSSI RAUTANIEMI MUSIC SUPERVISOR: OTSO KÄHÖNEN SOUND DESIGN: KARRI NIINIVAARA SET DESIGN: ANTTI NIKKINEN COSTUMES: JOUNI MERVAS CAST: MIKKO NEUVONEN, NIKO VAKKURI, IIRO PANULA, RICHMOND GHANSAH, IIDA LAMPELA, PETRI MANNINEN PRODUCERS: MARK LWOFF, MISHA JAARI / BUFO, ELLI TOIVONIEMI / TUFFI FILMS PRODUCTION COMPANIES: BUFO, TUFFI FILMS ASSOCIATE PRODUCER: SANDER VERDONK / CTM LEV PICTURES PRODUCTION SUPPORT: THE FINNISH FILM FOUNDATION FINANCING TV COMPANIES: CHANNEL FOUR FINLAND DISTRIBUTION IN FINLAND: B-PLAN DISTRIBUTION INTERNATIONAL SALES: TBA
AKSELI TUOMIVAARA (b. 1979) has directed short films Wakizashi (2002), Pure Life (2004) as well as several award-winning music videos. During recent years he has directed promotional films as his main work. Korso is his first feature film and also his diploma work for the School of Motion Picture, Television and Production Design at the University of Art and Design Helsinki.
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FEATURE FILMS
NUMMELA FILM DCP | 2:35:1 | 101’
FINNISH PREMIERE: FEBRUARY 19, 2014
KUMMELI V KUMMELI V Kummeli V the movie has four storylines all linked in together. In the first story Tomi invites his old bandmate, drum artist Monkki Mähönen to do some construction work on his wife’s villa. But a whole summer-long double-bass drumstorm commences. In the next story a wannabe-motorcycle gang gets humiliated in a village store and their boss Jouni decides to take his revenge by robbing the store. Being a film buff, his retaliation plans are inspired by legendary action movies. The third story is set in the mid-sixties. A travelling church organ maintenance man, Arvo, is also a hard-core ladykiller with a posse of jealous men on his trail. In the centre of the fourth story is a fantasy and science fiction movie director from Helsinki, Kurt Von Riikonen. Together with his crewmembers, he takes a helicopter ride to hunt bears. A war between north and south begins.
DIRECTOR: ALEKSI MÄKELÄ SCRIPT: HEIKKI VIHINEN, TIMO KAHILAINEN, HEIKKI SILVENNOINEN CINEMATOGRAPHY: PINI HELLSTEDT EDITING: KIMMO TAAVILA MUSIC: HEIKKI SILVENNOINEN & TIMO KAHILAINEN SOUND DESIGN: PEKKA KARJALAINEN SET DESIGN: MARJATTA KUIVASTO & LASSE MÄNNIKKÖ COSTUMES: JAANA ARO CAST: TIMO KAHILAINEN, HEIKKI SILVENNOINEN, HEIKKI VIHINEN, HEIKKI HELA, KAISA MATTILA, VILLE MYLLYRINNE, JUSSI VATANEN, TOM PÖYSTI, AAKE KALLIALA, JUKKA RASILA, SEELA SELLA, MARKKU TOIKKA, IINA KUUSTONEN, KAARINA HAZARD, KARI HIETALAHTI, HELI SUTELA, ILKKA HEISKANEN, RIKU SUOKAS, ANNA-MAIJA TUOKKO, PEKKA HUOTARI, KAI LEHTINEN, HEIKKI KINNUNEN PRODUCER(S): MARKUS SELIN, TIMO KAHILAINEN PRODUCTION COMPANY: NUMMELA FILMI OY CO-PRODUCTION COMPANIES: PORKKANA RYHMÄ OY PRODUCTION SUPPORT: SES / YLE FINANCING TV COMPANIES: YLE2 DISTRIBUTION IN FINLAND: NORDISK FILM
ALEKSI MÄKELÄ (b. 1969) is the most successful Finnish film director of the modern era: his films have been seen by as many as 2.5 million Finnish moviegoers. Kummeli V is Mäkelä’s 12th feature film. Of his earlier films, The Tough Ones (1999) heralded the recent rise of Finnish cinema with 330 000 domestic admission and was also the Finnish entry for Best Foreign Language Film at the 1999 Academy Awards. Mäkelä has also directed two of the biggest domestic box office hits: Bad Boys (2003, 615 000 admissions) and Matti - Hell is for Heroes (2006, 462 000 admissions). Mäkelä’s Vares - Private Eye (2004) and Hellsinki (2009) were also the top domestic films of the year. Mäkelä’s films have won a total of 11 Jussi Film Awards. In 2009 Mäkelä was awarded The State Prize for Cinema. Besides feature films Aleksi Mäkelä has directed hundreds of hours of TV series, commercials and music videos.
22
FEATURE FILMS
BAD TASTE LTD DCP | 16:9 | 122’
FINNISH PREMIERE: NOVEMBER 8, 2013
LAST LIFE OF LUCIFER LUCIFERIN VIIMEINEN ELÄMÄ Lucifer,the greatest demon of Creation, wants to become human and to learn a new emotion – an ability to love. To guide him on the road to humanity, the demon selects Misha, a Finnish theatre director, and his passed friend Pasha, the author of biography of Mathias Grünewald, a medieval German painter. Lucifer becomes an actor at Misha’s theatre – to play the role of Rainer Maria Rilke, an Austrian poet from the early 1900’s under the direction of Misha. Laura, an actress of the theatre, who is the reincarnation of Lou AndreasSalomé, Rilke’s muse, wants this new human being become his love and man. Will they end up as a happy family in a suburb of Helsinki?
DIRECTOR: RAX RINNEKANGAS SCRIPT: RAX RINNEKANGAS CINEMATOGRAPHY: RAX RINNEKANGAS EDITING: JARI INNANEN MUSIC: PASCAL GAIGNE SOUND DESIGN: HEIKKI INNANEN SET DESIGN: THE TEAM COSTUMES: THE TEAM CAST: TIMO TORIKKA, MINNA HAAPKYLÄ, HANNU-PEKKA BJÖRKMAN, PEKKA MILONOFF PRODUCER: RAX RINNEKANGAS PRODUCTION COMPANY: OY BAD TASTE LTD PRODUCTION SUPPORT: FINNISH FILM FOUNDATION, KALEVALASEURA FOUNDATION FINANCING TV COMPANIES: YLE DISTRIBUTION IN FINLAND: PIRKANMAAN ELOKUVAKESKUS (PEK) INTERNATIONAL SALES: OY BAD TASTE LTD
RAX RINNEKANGAS (b.1954) is often referred to as a strange bird in Finnish art and cinema circuits because of the genuinely international nature of his career, his uncompromising artistic choices and ability to express himself through different art forms: films, books and photographs. His long feature films A Journey to Eden (2011), Water Marked (2012) and Last Life of Lucifer (2013) form a trilogy that might be named as Confessions.
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FEATURE FILMS
HANDLE PRODUCTIONS DCP | 1,85:1 | 80’
FINNISH PREMIERE: OCTOBER 10, 2014
MOOMINS ON THE RIVIERA MUUMIT RIVIERALLA In search of adventures, the Moomins set sail for the Riviera, where Snorkmaiden is dazzled by the attentions of a playboy and Moomin learns that jealousy’s sting is the most painful of all. When Moominpappa befriends an aristocrat and adopts the name ‘de Moomin’, an exasperated Moominmamma retires, together with Moomin, to the relative calm of their trusty old boat, to wait for their family to come to their senses. For the very first time, the unity of the Moomins is threatened.
DIRECTOR: XAVIER PICARD CO-DIRECTOR: HANNA HEMILÄ ORIGINAL STORY: TOVE JANSSON SCRIPT: LESLIE STEWART, ANNINA ENCKELL, HANNA HEMILÄ, XAVIER PICARD STORYBOARD ARTISTS: FRANÇOIS VATAUX, OLIVIER SCHRAMM, LUCA ERBETTA CHARACTER DESIGN: VALERIE HADIDA B/G DESIGN: ANITA PÉTILLON, DAVID DANY B/G COLOR: SOPHIE BECK, HEIDI PACKALÉN EDITING: RODOLPHE PLOQUIN SOUND DESIGN: JOONAS JYRÄLÄ PRODUCERS: HANNA HEMILÄ, XAVIER PICARD PRODUCTION COMPANY: HANDLE PRODUCTIONS CO-PRODUCTION COMPANIES: PICTAK PRODUCTION SUPPORT: FINNISH FILM FOUNDATION, NORDIC FILM AND TV FOND, SVENSKA KULTURFONDEN, KONSTSAMFUNDET, MEDIA PROGRAMME, SVENSKA FOLKSKOLANS VÄNNER FINANCING TV COMPANIES: YLE, SVENSKA YLE DISTRIBUTION IN SCANDINAVIA: NORDISK FILM INTERNATIONAL SALES: INDIE SALES (FRA)
XAVIER PICARD is a French-born writer, director and producer. His prolific international film career includes over 300 hours of animation with i.a. Jean Chalopin (The Bots’ Master), Hanna Barbera (Jonny Quest), Luc Besson and Mamoru Oshii (Valerian) as well as the notable TV-series Marcelino and Odd Family. Xavier’s work has been distributed in more than 100 countries by Avi Arad, Bohbot Int., Nippon Animation, TF1 Int. and Freemantle Media. Xavier Picard has also directed 7 animated movies for the French pavilion of the World Expo Shanghai 2010.
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FEATURE FILMS
KINOTAR DCP | 2.35:1 | 95’
FINNISH PREMIERE: JANUARY 10, 2014
NO THANK YOU
SECOND FEATURE
EI KIITOS A drama-comedy about marriage, long relationships and sex. Heli and Matti are a 40-something couple, they have a 15-year-old daughter and live a decent life. Everything is fine except that Matti never wants to have sex anymore. Then Heli meets Jarno and everything starts to change.
DIRECTOR: SAMULI VALKAMA SCRIPT: SAMULI VALKAMA & HEIKKI PAAVILAINEN CINEMATOGRAPHY: ANSSI LEINO, F.S.C. EDITING: HARRI YLÖNEN MUSIC: TIMO LASSY SOUND DESIGN: PANU RIIKONEN SET DESIGN: OKKU RAHIKAINEN & TYTTI TIRI COSTUMES: KAROLIINA KOISO-KANTTILA CAST: ANU SINISALO, VILLE VIRTANEN, KAI VAINE, WANDA DUBIEL, ROSA SALOMAA PRODUCERS: LASSE SAARINEN & RIMBO SALOMAA PRODUCTION COMPANY: KINOTAR OY PRODUCTION SUPPORT: THE FINNISH FILM FOUNDATION FINANCING TV COMPANIES: CHANNEL FOUR FINLAND DISTRIBUTION IN FINLAND: SF-FILM FINLAND OY INTERNATIONAL SALES: KINOTAR OY
SAMULI VALKAMA (b. 1974) graduated from the University of Arts and Design in Helsinki in 2005. His short films Alright Love and Feelings and Stuff have won several awards in different festivals, most notably Berlin Today Award, in the Berlin International Film Festival. Love and Other Troubles (2012) was Valkama’s feature film debut.
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FEATURE FILMS
ART FILMS PRODUCTION AFP DCP | 2,35:1 | 96’
FINNISH PREMIERE: DECEMBER 4, 2013
A PATRIOTIC MAN ISÄNMAALLINEN MIES Toivo’s blood is exceptionally powerful. When the Finnish ski team hears about Toivo, they understand they have found a secret weapon. His blood can improve any athlete’s performance, fueling the skiers to victory. The prospects are fantastic, and in particular Toivo works closely with one of the most talented skiers, the young woman Aino. Toivo helps Aino ski to the top world rankings, in pursuit of Olympic gold. Will the dangerous plan succeed? What will Toivo do? What will happen to Aino? And most important of all: Is Toivo a patriotic man? Toivo faces an ethical Jacob-Wrestling-with-the-Angel situation on the ethics of doping, while becoming increasingly involved with the hypocritical success-hunger of the skiing community and society at large.
DIRECTOR: ARTO HALONEN SCRIPT: ARTO HALONEN, JOUNI K. KEMPPAINEN CINEMATOGRAPHY: HANNU-PEKKA VITIKAINEN EDITING: TUULI KUITTINEN SOUND DESIGN: KIRKA SAINIO SET DESIGN: KAISA MÄKINEN COSTUME DESIGN: JOHANNA HEIKKILÄ MAKE-UP ARTIST: RIIKKA VIRTANEN PRODUCER: ARTO HALONEN CO-PRODUCER: IGOR A. NOLA PRODUCTION COMPANY: ART FILMS PRODUCTION AFP OY CO-PRODUCTION COMPANY: MP FILM PRODUCTION PRODUCTION SUPPORT: THE FINNISH FILM FOUNDATION, EURIMAGES, MEDIA, NORDISK FILM & TV FOND FINANCING TV COMPANIES: YLE, C MORE DISTRIBUTION IN FINLAND: FUTURE FILM INTERNATIONAL SALES: TBA
ARTO HALONEN has directed numerous films, including the fiction feature film Princess and the documentary films Shadow of the Holy Book, Pavlov’s Dogs, Karmapa and the Tank Man. Halonen’s latest documentary film When Heroes Lie (2012) received exceptionally strong praise from the critics. In 2005, Halonen was awarded the Finland Prize, the highest annual prize in the arts given by the Ministry of Culture and the Finnish State. Among other important prizes, he has received the Humanitarian Award of the European Union (1998), the Finnish National Mental Health Prize (2010) and the City of Helsinki Culture prize (2010) officially recognizing him for a remarkable artistic career. Halonen has also been awarded the Civil Action Prize of the Finnish Federation for Social Welfare and Health.
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FEATURE FILMS
MAKING MOVIES DCP | 1.85:1 | 89’
FINNISH PREMIERE: SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
THE PRINCESS OF EGYPT
DEBUT
25 year-old Marja’s main focus in life is her 7-year-old daughter Julia. Marja works nights so she can spend the days with Julia, staging elaborate games and telling an ongoing fairytale about the adventures of the princess of Egypt and her mother. The harmony is broken when a chance meeting brings Kamaran, an Iranian immigrant, back into Marja’s life. Kamaran’s relationship with Marja had been brief and he never knew of the pregnancy. But he soon realizes that Julia is his daughter. Marja’s protective instincts are awakened as Kamaran starts following them. Marja is ready to defend Julia by any means possible. But in the end the real danger resides closer to home.
DIRECTOR: JAN FORSSTRÖM SCRIPT: JAN FORSSTRÖM CINEMATOGRAPHY: PÄIVI KETTUNEN EDITING: JAN FORSSTRÖM MUSIC: LAU NAU SOUND DESIGN: MICKE NYSTRÖM SET DESIGN: OKKU RAHIKAINEN & VILJA KATRAMO COSTUMES: KIRSI GUM CAST: EMMI PARVIAINEN, LUNA LEINONEN BOTERO, YLVA EKBLAD, MAZDAK NASSIR PRODUCER: KAARLE AHO & KAI NORDBERG PRODUCTION COMPANY: MAKING MOVIES OY PRODUCTION SUPPORT: FINNISH FILM FOUNDATION FINANCING TV COMPANIES: CHANNEL FOUR FINLAND DISTRIBUTION IN FINLAND: ATLANTIC FILM INTERNATIONAL SALES: TBA
JAN FORSSTRÖM (b.1975) is a Finnish screenwriter, director and editor. His work as a screenwriter include The Visitor by J-P Valkeapää (Dragon award for Best Nordic Film in Gothenburg IFF 2009), Last Cowboy Standing by Zaida Bergroth (Flash Forward –award in Busan IFF 2009) and The Good Son by Zaida Bergroth (Premiered in Toronto IFF 2011, Gold Hugo –award at Chicago IFF), as well as numerous short films. The Princess of Egypt is Forsström’s directorial feature film debut.
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FEATURE FILMS
MRP MATILA RÖHR PRODUCTIONS DCP | 2.39:1 | 100’
SECOND FEATURE
FINNISH PREMIERE: JANUARY 2015
RASPBERRY BOAT REFUGEE VADELMAVENEPAKOLAINEN
The Raspberry Boat Refugee is a comedy of a Swedish man trapped in the body of a Finn. Mikko Virtanen hates everything Finnish. Ever since childhood, he has wanted to trade the oppressive silence and the endless beatings, knife fights and flow of vodka for a Swedish life: public insurance, fridgecold buttermilk and Abba. On a ship trip Mikko runs into Mikael, a Swedish psychologist who is thoroughly fed up with the Swedish culture of rational moderation. On the deck, the two men come up with a solution that will change their entire lives.
DIRECTOR: LEIF LINDBLOM SCRIPT: DANIEL KARLSSON, ERIK AHRNBOM CINEMATOGRAPHY: TUOMO HUTRI EDITING: SIMON PONTÉN, ANDERS NYLANDER MUSIC: TBA SOUND DESIGN: OLLI PÄRNÄNEN SET DESIGN: MICHAEL HIGGINS COSTUMES: ANNA HAGERT CAST: JONAS KARLSSON, JOSEPHINE BORNEBUSCH, ERIK JOHANSSON, FRIDA HALLGREN PRODUCER(S): ILKKA MATILA, PATRICK RYBORN PRODUCTION COMPANY: MRP MATILA RÖHR PRODUCTIONS OY, EYEWORKS FILM & TV DRAMA AB COPRODUCTION COMPANIES: FILM I VÄST PRODUCTION SUPPORT: THE FINNISH FILM FOUNDATION, SWEDISH FILM INSTITUTE, NORDISK FILM & TV FOND FINANCING TV COMPANIES: YLE, SVT DISTRIBUTION IN FINLAND: NORDISK FILM DISTRIBUTION INTERNATIONAL SALES: TBA
LEIF LINDBLOM is a Swedish director. He has directed many TV-series, but made his debut as a feature film director in 2007 when he directed his first feature film Sunstorm (orig. Solstorm). Raspberry Boat Refugee (orig. Vadelmavenepakolainen) is Leif’s second work as a feature film director. The premiere is on January 2015.
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FEATURE FILMS
SOLAR FILMS INC DCP | 2.35:1 | 90’
FINNISH PREMIERE: AUGUST 1, 2014
SUMMERTIME
DEBUT
KESÄKAVERIT Summertime is a story about three 25-year-old girls having the best summer of their lives. “Best” as in the hardest, most surprising and totally different from what they had expected.
DIRECTOR: INARI NIEMI SCRIPT: JUULI NIEMI CINEMATOGRAPHY: DANIEL LINDHOLM EDITING: HANNA KUIRINLAHTI MUSIC: JOEL MELASNIEMI SOUND DESIGN: MIKKO MÄKELÄ, TUOMAS KLAAVO SET DESIGN: HEINI ERVING COSTUMES: SUSANNA MOILANEN CAST: ANNA PAAVILAINEN, IINA KUUSTONEN, MINKA KUUSTONEN, LAURI TILKANEN, SAMPO SARKOLA, PIHLA VIITALA, EERO RITALA, MILKA AHLROTH, MATLEENA KUUSNIEMI, AKU HIRVINIEMI PRODUCERS: JESSE FRYCKMAN, OSKARI HUTTU EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: MARKUS SELIN, JUKKA HELLE PRODUCTION COMPANY: SOLAR FILMS INC PRODUCTION SUPPORT: THE FINNISH FILM FOUNDATION FINANCING TV COMPANIES: YLE DISTRIBUTION IN FINLAND: NORDISK FILM INTERNATIONAL SALES: TBA
INARI NIEMI (b. 1978) studied in Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Science, graduating in 2010. She has directed several short films and last year finished her first feature length documentary “Robin”, about a finnish teenage pop sensation Robin Packalen. “Summertime” is her first fiction feature film.
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FEATURE FILMS
FIRST FLOOR PRODUCTIONS DCP | 1.85:1 | 70’
FINNISH PREMIERE: MARCH 2014
THE SURREALIST AND HIS NAUGHTY HAND KALERVO PALSA JA KURITON KÄSI This is an unorthodox drama about a painter, Kalervo Palsa, who died young and was ahead of his time. A punk, vivid and surprising comedy mixing paintings to life and life to imagination.
DIRECTOR: PEKKA LEHTO SCRIPT: IIRO KUTTNER CINEMATOGRAPHY: KASIMIR LEHTO EDITING: JUSSI RAUTANIEMI, JOONA LOUHIVUORI MUSIC: RAOUL BJÖRKENHEIM SOUND DESIGN: JYRKI RAHKONEN SET DESIGN: MARKKU PÄTILÄ COSTUMES: RIITTA RÖPELINEN CAST: JANNE REINIKAINEN, MARIA JÄRVENHELMI, ANTTI RAIVIO, MARKKU PELTOLA, TIINA WECKSTRÖM PRODUCER: PAULI PENTTI PRODUCTION COMPANY: FIRST FLOOR PRODUCTIONS PRODUCTION SUPPORT: THE FINNISH FILM FOUNDATION, POEM, PROMOTION CENTRE FOR AUDIOVISUAL CULTURE - AVEK FINANCING TV COMPANIES: YLEISRADIO DISTRIBUTION IN FINLAND: PEK
PEKKA LEHTO has directed and produced approximately 20 internationally distributed documentaries and feature films. Ranging from dynamic dramas, political and human rights stories to powerful portraits of unique personalities, his recent credits include Epäilyksen Varjossa (In the Shadow of Doubt, 2010) which follows the story of a Finnish diplomat, who was accused of espionage and Komissaari (The Commissioner 2012) a sort of road documentary trying to keep up with Olli Rehn during the European financial crises. He is currently working on a documentary film about sixyear long unresolved murder case set in the small town of Ulvila. Original filmed in 2005 The Surrealist and His Naughty Hand was released in Finland November 2013.
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FEATURE FILMS
YELLOW FILM AND TV DCP | 1.85:1 | 116’
FINNISH PREMIERE: DECEMBER 27, 2013
THE TWO AND ONLY AINOAT OIKEAT The Two and Only is a romantic comedy about a woman who finally finds her Only One, who then mysteriously disappears. But then she finds the second Only One, who happens to be the Prime Minister of Finland.
DIRECTOR: SAARA CANTELL SCRIPT: OUTI KESKEVAARI CINEMATOGRAPHY: HEIKKI FÄRM EDITING: JUKKA NYKÄNEN MUSIC: SID HILLE SOUND DESIGN: PIETARI KOSKINEN SET DESIGN: PIRJO ROSSI COSTUMES: NINNI LAHTINEN CAST: MINNA SORVOJA PRODUCER: JARKKO HENTULA PRODUCTION COMPANY: YELLOW FILM & TV PRODUCTION SUPPORT: THE FINNISH FILM FOUNDATION FINANCING TV COMPANY: MTV3 DISTRIBUTION IN FINLAND: NORDISK FILM OY
SAARA CANTELL has written and directed numerous short films, TV series and four feature films: Unna & Nuuk (2006), Heartbeats (2010), Stars Above (2012) and The Only Ones (2013). Her films have won several prizes at the international film festivals since her graduation film A Tale of Shatters (1996). In her 2011 doctoral thesis Cantell discussed the storytelling strategies in short fiction film.
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FEATURE FILMS
HELSINKI-FILMI DCP | 1:1,85 | 100’
SECOND FEATURE
FINNISH PREMIERE: 2014
THEY HAVE ESCAPED HE OVAT PAENNEET
When a boy and girl meet at a detention center for troubled youths, they steal a car and flee together. Thus begins a journey with endless escapes. They Have Escaped is a film about fragile love, childhood dreams and the violence of reality.
DIRECTOR: J-P VALKEAPÄÄ SCRIPT: J-P VALKEAPÄÄ AND PILVI PELTOLA CINEMATOGRAPHY: PIETARI PELTOLA EDITING: MERVI JUNKKONEN MUSIC: HELGE SLICKER SOUND DESIGN: MICKE NYSTRÖM SET DESIGN: MARKKU PÄTILÄ COSTUMES: TIINA WILÉN CAST: ROOSA SÖDERHOLM, TEPPO MANNER, PELLE HEIKKILÄ, PETTERI PENNILÄ PRODUCER: ALEKSI BARDY PRODUCTION COMPANY: HELSINKI –FILMI OY CO-PRODUCTION COMPANIES: REVOLVER PRODUCTION SUPPORT: FINNISH FILM FOUNDATION, DUTCH FILM FUND FINANCING TV COMPANIES: YLE DISTRIBUTION IN FINLAND: SF FILM INTERNATIONAL SALES: YELLOW AFFAIR
J-P VALKEAPÄÄ was born in 1977 in Porvoo, Finland. He attracted international attention as an illustrator and a cartoonist when he was still a teenager. He studied film direction at the Department of Film and Television of the University of Art and Design, Helsinki, and as a student, made two award-winning short films, ”Eyes closed without hands” (2000) and ”The Fall” (2003). In 2005 Valkeapää was selected to the Cannes Film Festival’s Residence du Festival program to develop the script for ”The Visitor”, his debut project as director,. “The Visitor” premiered in Venice Days at the Venice Film Festival in 2008. “The Visitor” won the Nordic Film Award, the first prize of the Gothenburg Film Festival in 2009. It was also awarded for best cinematography. Valkeapää has also directed multiple commercial films and worked as an editor and a storyboard artist.
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FEATURE FILMS
KINOTAR DCP | 2,35:1 | 88’
FINNISH PREMIERE: DECEMBER 2013
TWO HOMES DAGMAMMAN Malla is a family day carer, good at minding for other people, but forgetful towards herself and her own needs. Each weekend she drives the long way to the coast where her husband is managing a restaurant, only to return home with a feeling, that somewhere her life took a wrong turn. She has to stop and ask herself what is the point in caring for other people’s children, if it means losing the connection to her own.
DIRECTOR: KLAUS HÄRÖ SCRIPT: KLAUS HÄRÖ CINEMATOGRAPHY: ROBERT NORDSTRÖM, F.S.C., F.S.F. EDITING: SAMU HEIKKILÄ SOUND DESIGN: KIRKA SAINIO SET DESIGN: PÄIVI KETTUNEN COSTUMES: TIINA KAUKANEN PRODUCERS: RIMBO SALOMAA, LASSE SAARINEN PRODUCTION COMPANY: KINOTAR OY PRODUCTION SUPPORT: THE FINNISH FILM FOUNDATION, SVENSKA KULTURFONDEN, FÖRENINGEN KONSTSAMFUNDET, KIRKON MEDIASÄÄTIÖ, SVENSKA KULTURFONDEN I BJÖRNEBORG, VILLILÄ STUDIOT, SATAKUNTALIITTO, EUROPEISKA REGIONALA UTVECKLINGSFONDEN FINANCING TV COMPANIES: YLE, SVT DISTRIBUTION IN FINLAND: SF FILM FINLAND OY INTERNATIONAL SALES: KINOTAR OY
KLAUS HÄRÖ‘s previous feature films are Letters to Father Jacob (Postia pappi Jaakobille 2009), Elina (Näkymätön Elina, 2003), Mother of Mine (Äideistä parhain, 2005) and The New Man (Den nya människan, 2007). He has also made documentaries and short films. His films have won more than 60 prizes at festivals all over the world, and they are appreciated by both critics and audiences. Klaus Härö works both in Finland and Sweden. In 2003 Klaus Härö was awarded the Ingmar Bergman prize; the winner of the award was chosen by Ingmar Bergman himself. Three of Härö’s features have been chosen as the Finnish entries for the best foreign film category at the Academy Awards.
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FINNISH PRODUCTION COMPANIES Aamu Filmcompany Ltd info@aamufilmcompany.fi www.aamufilmcompany.fi
Epidem ZOT mikael.wahlforss@epidemzot.com www.epidemzot.com
It’s Alive Productions info@itsalive.fi www.itsalive.fi
Alppiharjun Elokuva Oy alppiharjunelokuva@jippii.fi
Filmimaa markku.tuurna@sci.fi www.filmimaa.fi
Jackpot Films Oy timo.kahilainen@saunalahti.fi
Anima Vitae Ltd info@anima.fi www.anima.fi Art Films Production AFP Oy info@artfilms.fi www.artfilmsproduction.com Artista Filmi Oy susanna@artista.fi www.artistafilmi.fi Avanton Productions Oy info@avanton.fi www.avanton.fi Bad Taste Ltd btlimited@btlimited.fi www.btlimited.fi Blind Spot Pictures Oy spot@blindspot.fi www.blindspot.fi Bronson Club jesse@bronson.fi www.bronson.fi Oy Bufo Ab mark@bufo.fi www.bufo.fi Butterworks tiinabutter@gmail.com Camera Cagliostro katariina.lillqvist@gmail.com Cinet Oy petri.jokiranta@cinet.fi www.cinet.fi Crystal Eye Ltd mail@crystaleye.fi www.crystaleye.fi Dionysos Films Oy riina.hyytia@dionysosfilms.fi www.dionysosfilms.fi Edith Film Oy info@edithfilm.fi www.edithfilm.fi
Oy Filmkompaniet Alpha Ab tom@filmkompaniet.fi www.filmkompaniet.fi First Floor Productions Oy firstfloor@firstfloor.fi www.firstfloor.fi Fisher King Production Oy king@fisherking.fi www.fisherking.fi For Real Productions www.forrealproductions.fi Giron-filmi Oy lapsui@mail.ru Guerrilla Films Oy info@guerillafilms.fi www.guerrillafilms.fi Hakalax Productions Oy john.hakalax@hakalaxproductions.com www.hakalaxproductions.com Handle Productions Oy hanna@handleproductions.com www.handleproductions.com Haukkamaa Productions essi@haukkamaaproductions.com Helsinki-filmi Oy aleksi.bardy@helsinkifilmi.fi www.helsinkifilmi.fi
J.W. Documentaries Oy webster@dlc.fi Kinocompany info@kinocompany.fi www.kinocompany.fi Kinoproduction kino@kinoproduction.fi www.kinoproduction.fi Kinosto Oy www.kinosto.fi Kinotar Oy kinotar@kinotar.com www.kinotar.com Klaffi Productions kimmo@klaffi.com www.klaffi.com Koskela Art & Media House kimmo@koskela.tv Kroma Productions Oy kroma@kroma.fi www.kroma.fi Långfilm Productions Finland Oy info@langfilm.fi www.langfilm.fi Made ulla@made.fi www.made.fi
Huh Huh -Filmi Oy maarit.lalli@kolumbus.fi
Making Movies Oy mamo@mamo.fi www.mamo.fi
Illume Ltd. illume@illume.fi www.illume.fi
Marianna Films Oy marianna.films@gmx.net www.mikakaurismaki.com
Ilokuva Naukkarinen & Co ilokuva@ilokuva.fi www.ilokuva.fi
MJÖLK mjolk@mjolk.fi www.mjolk.fi
Inland Film Company inland@inland.fi www.inland.fi
MRP Matila Röhr Productions ilkka.matila@matilarohrnordisk.fi www.matilarohr.com
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Meguru Production meguru@meguru.fi www.meguru.fi
Silva Mysterium Oy mika.ritalahti@silvamysterium.fi www.silvamysterium.fi
Millennium Film Ltd. millennium@millenniumfilm.fi www.millenniumfilm.fi
Snapper Films Oy snapper@snapperfilms.com www.snapperfilms.com
Mediatehdas Dakar info@dakar.fi www.dakar.fi
Smile Entertainment Oy timo.lahtinen@smile.dk
Mokul Filmi Oy kossi.heikki@kolumbus.fi Mouka Filmi Oy mouka@mouka.fi www.mouka.fi Mutant Koala Pictures www.mutantkoala.com napafilms liisa@napafilms.fi www.napafilms.fi Navy Blue Bird Inc info@navybluebird.com www.navybluebird.com Nosferatu Oy ilkka.mertsola@aalto.fi
Solar Films Inc. markus.selin@solarfilms.com www.solarfilms.com Subzero Film Entertainment petri.jokiranta@subzerofilment.fi Sputnik Oy sputnik@sputnik.fi Suomen Filmiteollisuus Oy toimisto@suomenfilmiteollisuus.fi www.suomenfilmiteollisuus.fi Tuffi Films Oy tuffi@tuffifilms.com www.tuffifilms.com Twisted Films www.twistedfilms.fi
Of Course My Films Oy pia.andell@gmail.com
Unilumi Oy juha.koivisto@unilumi.com www.unilumi.com
Oktober Oy joonas@oktober.fi www.oktober.fi
Vaski-Filmi janne.niskala@vaskifilmi.fi www.vaskifilmi.fi
Periferia Productions Oy/ Pystymets채 Oy outi.rousu@periferiaproductions.fi www.periferiaproductions.fi
Vegetarian Films jeppis@vegetarianfilms.net www.vegetarianfilms.net
Petfilms Oy petfilms@petfilms.fi www.petfilms.fi
Vertigo info@vertigo.fi www.vertigo.fi
Pohjankonna www.pohjankonna.fi
Videokuu jussi@videokuu.com www.videokuu.com
Pohjola-filmi elina.pohjola@pohjolafilmi.fi www.pohjolafilmi.fi
Yellow Film & TV jarkko.hentula@yellowfilm.fi www.yellowfilm.fi
RT Documentaries Oy ilkka.ruuhijarvi@welho.com
Zodiak Finland Oy/ Jarowskij info@zodiakfinland.fi www.jarowskij.fi
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KANAVAKATU 12 FIN-00160 HELSINKI, FINLAND TEL. +358 9 6220 300 FAX +358 9 6220 3050 SES@SES.FI WWW.SES.FI
THE FINNISH FILM FOUNDATION The Finnish Film Foundation supports and promotes the Finnish film industry. The Film Foundation provides support for professional film production and the exhibition and distribution of films. The Foundation is also responsible for the cultural export of Finnish film and provides support for the international promotion of films. The Finnish Film Foundation was founded in 1969 as an independent foundation operating under the supervision of the Ministry of Education and Culture. In granting support, the Foundation is guided by the State Aid Act, the Film Promotion Act and Decree as well as the European Commission notification on state funding for film. The Foundation receives its funding from lottery and pools funds allocated
DIGITAL CATALOGUE NOW ONLINE catalogue.ses.fi KANAVAKATU 12 FIN-00160 HELSINKI, FINLAND TEL. +358 9 6220 300 FAX +358 9 6220 3050 SES@SES.FI WWW.SES.FI
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LAYOUT: KRYON DIVISION | COVER: KORSO, BUFO LTD & TUFFI FILMS | PHOTO: OLLI KARTTUNEN
for promoting film art.