Focus on Finland
1956-2015
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Focus on Finland
60 th Valladolid International Film Festival 2015
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Dear Friends of Cinema,
Estimados amigos del cinema,
F
F
inland has the joy and honor of being the Guest Country at the 60 th Valladolid
inlandia tiene el placer y el honor de ser el país invitado en la sexagésima edición
Film Festival. The festival will showcase a
del Festival de Cine de Valladolid. Les
wide and interesting selection of different
ofrecemos una amplia e interesante muestra
Finnish films – classic films from the past
de la filmografía finlandesa -clásicos de las
decades, documentaries, dramas and short
pasadas décadas, documentales, dramas y
films – a total of 24 films in different sections.
cortometrajes- en total 24 películas incluidas
We hope our films will offer you a chance to
en diferentes series. Esperamos que esta
glimpse at the landscape of this Northern
selección de películas les sirva de ayuda
nation’s soul. We believe our films will touch
para conocer el espíritu de este pueblo del
you, make you laugh and evoke in you both
norte de Europa. Estamos convencidos que
thoughts and feelings.
nuestras películas les emocionarán, harán
A warm thank you to Festival Director Javier Angulo and Denise O’Keeffe for
reír y despertarán tanto pensamientos, como emociones.
this wonderful opportunity and many
Mi mas cordial agradecimiento tanto a
congratulations on the Festival’s 60 th
Javier Angulo, Director del Festival, como
anniversary!
a Denise O’Keeffe por ofrecernos esta
magnífica oportunidad y mi más sincera
Jaana Puskala
felicitación al festival en su 60 aniversario!
Head of international promotion
The Finnish Film Foundation
Jaana Puskala Directora de Promoción Internacional Fundación Cinematográfica Finlandesa
Front cover: The White Reindeer by Erik Blomberg Page 2: Restless Blood by Teuvo Tulio Back cover: Drifting Clouds by Aki Kaurismäki Editors: Jaana Puskala, Jenni Domingo, Maikki Rantala Photos: The Finnish Film Foundation, National Audiovisual Institute Lay-out: Maikki Rantala Printed by: Premedia Helsinki, 2015
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Official section – Sección Oficial
The Girl King 7
Meeting point – Punto de Encuentro
2 Nights till Morning 8
Time of History – Tiempo de Historia
Marzia, My Friend 9
Official section, short films – Sección Oficial, cortometrajes
Merry Christmas 10
Meeting point, short films – Punto de Encuentro, cortometrajes
Reunion 11
Focus on Finland – País Invitado: Finlandia Documentaries:
The Iddle Ones 12
The 3 rooms of Melancholia 12
Steam of Life 13
The Punk Syndrome 13
Finnish Blood, Swedish Heart 14
Feature films:
Drifting Clouds 14
Bad Family 15
The Good Son 15
Open Up To Me 16
Village People 16
The Disciple 17
They Have Escaped 17
The Grump 18
The White Reindeer 19
The Boys 19
The Earth is a Sinful Song 20
The Man Who Couldn’t Say No 20
The Wedding Walz 21
The Collector 21
Directors and producers attending Valladolid 2015 22
INDEX
Classics:
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The Girl King The Girl King is the story of Sweden’s Queen Kristina, an enigmatic young woman who defied convention, challenged tradition and changed the course of history. Torn between reason and passion; between her female body and being raised as a prince; between the ancient and modern worlds and between the brilliance of her educated mind and the terror of the emotions she could not understand. ORIGINAL TITLE Tyttökuningas DIRECTOR Mika Kaurismäki SCREENWRITER Michel Marc Bouchard PRINCIPAL CAST Malin Buska, Sarah Gadon, Michael Nyqvist, Lucas Bryant, Laura Birn, Hippolyte Girardot, Francois Arnaud, Patrick Bauchau, Peter Lohmeyer, Martina Gedeck PRODUCED BY Marianna Films Oy/Mika Kaurismäki, Anna Stratton, Rainer Kölmel, Arnie Gelbart, Wasiliki Bleser, Martin Persson DURATION 106 min SALES The Yellow Affair Spanish distributor: Film Buro/Aquelarre Screenings: Press screening: Thursday October 29 th at 12.00, Teatro Calderón, Official screening: Thursday October 29t th at 19.00, Teatro Calderón Repetition: Friday October 30 th at 16.30, Teatro Cervantes
Mika Kaurismäki Mika Kaurismäki’s first film Liar (1980) was an overnight sensation. It marked the beginning of a new era in Finnish cinema, in which the Kaurismäki brothers led the way. Since then Mika Kaurismäki has made a host of feature films and documentaries, including The Worthless, Rosso, Zombie and the Ghost Train, Helsinki Napoli, LA Without a Map, Mama Africa, Brasileirinho, Three Wise Men, The House of Branching Love and Road North, which was one of the most popular films in Finland in 2012 with almost 300 000 admissions. Mika has completed two new films in 2015 –The Girl King and Homecoming. The director will be present at Valladolid.
Official Section Sección Oficial
followed by press conference
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2 Nights till Morning A one-night stand between two strangers in a foreign country and without a mutual language takes an unexpected turn as a volcanic ash cloud prevents all flights
Meeting Point Punto de Encuentro
from taking off.
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ORIGINAL TITLE 2 yötä aamuun DIRECTOR/SCREENWRITER Mikko Kuparinen PRINCIPAL CAST Marie-Joseé Croze, Mikko Nousiainen PRODUCED BY Elokuvatuotantoyhtiö Mjölk/Mikko Tenhunen DURATION 84 min SALES Wide Management Screenings: 1st screening: Wednesday October 28th at 11.30, Teatro Zorrilla Main screening and presentation: Thursday October 29 th at 22.00, Teatro Zorrilla
Mikko Kuparinen Kuparinen’s (b. 1979) first feature film was the romantic comedy Body Fat Index of Love, 2012. His short films have won main prizes at international film festivals; Sirocco won the H.C. Andersen Award, the Grand Prix at the Odense Film Festival in Denmark in 2013. Sirocco and Mikko were also chosen for the “10 Directors to Watch” DVD published by four Nordic film magazines. The director will be present at Valladolid.
Marzia, My Friend Marzia, My Friend is the story of an Afghan woman in her twenties, who – just like all young people – dreams of love, freedom and an interesting job. But because she lives in Afghanistan, her dreams are revolutionary. Ultimately Marzia’s story becomes a symbol of the wider struggle of Afghan women: it is about the right to make
ORIGINAL TITLE Marzia, ystäväni DIRECTOR/SCREENWRITER Kirsi Mattila PRODUCED BY Pohjola-filmi/Elina Pohjola, Piia Nokelainen DURATION 80 min, 2015 SALES Filmdelights Screenings: 1st screening: Tuesday October 27th at 11.45, Broadway Cinema 11 Main screening and presentation: Thursday October 29 th at 21.30, Broadway Cinema
Kirsi Mattila Kirsi Mattila is a documentary director-screenwriter and a freelance journalist. Mattila has worked as a journalist since 1980 and she has written and directed a number of educational programs and documentaries for TV and film. Her selected filmography includes documentaries such as Niki and Niki’s Brother (2008), 80 Years of Student Theatre (2006) and the Joy of Giving Birth (2004). The director will be present at Valladolid.
Time of History Tiempo de Historia
decisions about your own life.
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Official SeCTION, SHORT FILMS SECCIÓN OFICIAL, CORTOMETRAJES 10
Merry Christmas Merry Christmas is a Christmas story about Asko, a tram driver who finds an abandoned baby. Who does the boy child belong to? Who is missing him? Asko decides to find out. Merry Christmas is a comical interpretation of the traditional Christmas gospel set in a modern-day Helsinki. ORIGINAL TITLE Hyvää joulua DIRECTOR Matti Ijäs SCREENWRITER Juha Lehtola, Matti Ijäs PRINCIPAL CAST Pertti Sveholm, Aili PRODUCED BY Scenes Oy/Juha Lehtola DURATION 10 min, 2015 SALES Scenes Oy Screenings: Press screening: Sunday October 25th at 12.00, Teatro Calderón Official screening: Sunday October 25th at 19.00, Teatro Calderón Repetition: Monday October 26th at 16.30, Teatro Cervantes
Matti Ijäs Matti Ijäs, born 1950, is known for his feature films Things We Do for Love (2013), Blue Corner (2002) and Blindfolded (1999). Ijäs has also enjoyed an extensive career in television; his directorial works include The Wrestler (1985) and The Inspection (1988). Matti Ijäs has been awarded the Prix Italia, the State Prize for Cinema and in 2002 he received the Order of the Lion of Finland – Pro Finlandia Medal for his vast career in Finnish film. The director will be present at Valladolid.
Young Anja accompanies the dead of her hometown to the afterlife. When she joins her brother on the couch moments before his heart attack, things are different. Can they make up and dance their way to the next world together? ORIGINAL TITLE Tuolla puolen DIRECTORS/SCREENWRITERS Iddo Soskolne, Janne Reinikainen PRINCIPAL CAST Selma af Schultén, Janne Reinikainen, Riitta Havukainen PRODUCED BY Bufo/ Misha Jaari, Mark Lwoff DURATION 15 min, 2015 SALES Bufo Screenings: 1st screening: Wednesday October 28th at 11.30, Teatro Zorrilla Main screening and presentation: Thursday October 29 th at 22.00, Teatro Zorrilla
Iddo Soskolne Iddo Soskolne (b. 1975 in Jerusalem) graduated with honours as a cinematographer and screenwriter from the Sam Spiegel Film & TV School in Israel in 2003. His graduation films travelled to numerous festivals including Cannes Cinéfondation, Berlin and Clermont-Ferrand. Reunion is his first film as a director. The director will be present at Valladolid.
Janne Reinikainen Janne Reinikainen (b. 1969) is a Finnish theatre director, actor, and screenwriter. His latest TV project is the series Napamiehet, in which he worked as a screenwriter, director, and actor. Reunion is Janne Reinikainen’s first film as a director.
MEETING POINT, SHORT FILMS ENCUENTRO, CORTOMETRAJES
Reunion
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Documentaries
The Idles Ones 2001 • 90´
Focus on Finland País invitado: Finlandia
The Idle Ones is a description of the
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The 3 Rooms of Melancholia 2004 • 85´
state of affairs—somewhere on the
The Chechen war. The inability of
edge of Europe—where the lack of a
adults to resolve the war gives rise to a
regular job is becoming a way of life for
generation upon whom hatred has been
some of the younger generation.
visited with vengeance. Children have
Original title: Joutilaat Director: Susanna Helke, Virpi Suutari Script: Susanna Helke, Virpi Suutari Cinematography: Harri Räty Production company: Kinotar Oy, www.kinotar.com Sales: Kinotar Screenings: Sat 24.10. 11:45 Sala Broadway 1
taken the burden of hatred which they believe springs from within. There is no need to seek its causes. The transposed hatred casts a pall over the depths of their minds: they are accompanied throughout their lives by inexplicable melancholia and sudden outbursts of rage. Original title: Melancholian 3 huonetta Director: Pirjo Honkasalo Script: Pirjo Honkasalo Cinematography: Pirjo Honkasalo Production company: Oy Millennium Film Ltd., www.millenniumfilm.fi Sales: Deckert Distribution Spanish distributor: Parallel 40 Screenings: Sat 24.10. 16:30 Sala Broadway 1
Documentaries
Steam of Life
The Punk Syndrome
2010 • 84´
2012 • 90´
Naked Finnish Men in saunas speak
The Punk Syndrome is a film about the
straight from the heart and, with
Finnish punk rock band Pertti Kurikan
the warmth of rusty stoves, cleanse
nimipäivät, which later was the Finnish
themselves both physically and mentally
representative in the 2015 Eurovision
as the film moves towards its deeply
Song Contest. The film follows the
emotional and unforgettable finale.
band´s four mentally challenged
Original title: Miesten vuoro Director: Joonas Berghäll, Mika Hotakainen
members’ journey from the rehearsal room to festival stages and ultimately, into the limelight.
Script: Joonas Berghäll,
Original title: Kovasikajuttu
Mika Hotakainen
Director: Jukka Kärkkäinen, J-P Passi
Cinematography: Heikki Färm,
Script: Jukka Kärkkäinen, J-P Passi
Jani Kumpulainen
Cinematography: J-P Passi
Music: Jonas Bohlin
Music: Pertti Kurikan nimipäivät
Production company: Oktober Oy,
Production company: Mouka Filmi,
www.oktober.fi
www.mouka.fi
Sales: Films Transit International
Sales: Autlook Filmsales
Screenings:
Screenings:
Wed 30.10. 12:00 Sala Broadway 10
Sun 25.10. 11:45 Sala Broadway 1
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Documentaries
Feature films
Finnish Blood, Swedish Heart
Drifting Clouds
Focus on Finland País invitado: Finlandia
2013 • 90´
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1996 • 96´ This film has a story, which is not very
The journey of a father and son
hard to understand, especially if you
becomes a musical, delving into
have seen the film. The main characters
the emotional memory and history
(altogether two) form a family. In the
of Finnish migration to Sweden, an
beginning they are happy. Then the
exploration of shame, guilt, crime,
trouble comes. By the end they are
alcoholism and family secrets.
happy again. Almost the same can be
Original title: Laulu koti-ikävästä Director: Mika Ronkainen Script: Mika Ronkainen Cinematography: Vesa Taipaleenmäki
said about the supporting characters, although they are never—in cinema— as important as the main characters, except for Wolter Brennon. — A.K.
Music: Anna Järvinen, Darya Pakarinen, Love Antell, Markus Fagervall and
Original title: Kauas pilvet karkaavat
several other artists
Director: Aki Kaurismäki
Production company:
Script: Aki Kaurismäki
Klaffi Productions,
Cinematography: Timo Salminen
www.klaffi.com
Cast: Kati Outinen, Kari Väänänen, Elina
Sales: Klaffi Productions
Salo, Sakari Kuosmanen, Markku Peltola
Spanish distributor: Parallel 40
Production company: Sputnik Oy,
Screenings: Sat 31.10. 20:00 Sala Broadway 11
www.orimattila.fi/kirjasto/kaurismäki, www.the-match-factory.com Screenings: Fri 30.10. 19:30 Sala Broadway 9 Sat 31.10. 19:15 Sala Broadway 10
Feature films
Bad Family
The Good Son
2010 • 92
2011 • 87´
After going through an ugly divorce,
After a scandalous premiere, actress
a father must raise his son on his own
Leila escapes to the old family
while the mother has custody of the
summerhouse with her two sons. The
daughter. Sixteen years later, the
explosive and arrogant Ilmari, her older
mother passes away, and the brother
son, is Leila’s protector and confidant.
and sister meet once again. The father
The peaceful vacation is disrupted when
thinks his son has a crush on his sister.
Leila invites her artist friends over for
The son rebels against his father, who
a rowdy weekend. After the party Leila
copes poorly with the situation. The
invites one of the guests, Aimo, a writer,
father ends up alone with his own
to stay. Ilmari is immediately hostile
demented father.
towards the intruder. As Leila begins to
Original title: Paha perhe Director: Aleksi Salmenperä
fall in love, Ilmari begins to suspect that Aimo might be dangerous.
Script: Aleksi Salmenperä
Original title: Hyvä poika
Cinematography: Tuomo Hutri
Director: Zaida Bergroth
Music: Ville A. Tanttu
Script: Jan Forsström, Zaida Bergroth
Cast: Ville Virtanen, Pihla Viitala,
Cinematography: Anu Keränen
Lauri Tilkanen
Music: Mi and Láu
Production company: Sputnik Oy,
Cast: Elina Knihtilä, Samuli Niittymäki,
www.the-match-factory.com
Eero Aho, Anna Paavilainen, Eetu Julin
Sales: The Match Factory
Production company: Oy Bufo Ab,
Screenings: Sun 25.10. 20:00 Sala Broadway 1 Mon 26.10. 11:45 Sala Broadway 1
www.bufo.fi Sales: Level K Screenings: Tue 27.10. 22:00 Sala Broadway 9 Wed 28.10. 11:45 Sala Broadway 9
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Focus on Finland País invitado: Finlandia
Feature films
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Open up to Me
Village People
2013 • 95´
2013 • 95´
Open up to Me is an intense
Urho Kaleva Kekkonen, the long-time
psychological drama about sexual
president of the Republic of Finland, is
identity. In modern relationships
scheduled to visit Alli’s Bar on his way to
nothing can be taken for granted
northern Finland. He is blindly worshiped
anymore. There is no ready-made
and the nearer the visit draws, the more
model for love. We have to create our
envy, competition and dirty tricks we see
own morals. We have to draw lines and
in a small town. No one is spared from
sometimes, when our hearts tell us to,
the brutality!
cross them.
Original title: Kekkonen tulee!
Original title: Kerron sinulle kaiken
Director: Marja Pyykkö
Director: Simo Halinen
Script: Elias Koskimies (based on the
Script: Simo Halinen
short story “Alli’s Bar” in the novel
Cinematography: Hena Blomberg
“Urho Kekkonen Straße” by Pia Pesonen)
Music: Jarmo Saari
Cinematography: Konsta Sohlberg
Cast: Leea Klemola, Peter Franzén,
Music: Antti Lehtinen
Ria Kataja,
Cast: Wilma Rosenqvist, Merja Larivaara,
Emmi Nivala, Alex Anton
Marjaana Maijala, Konsta Mäkelä,
Production company: Edith Film,
Miina Turunen
www.kaihorepublic.com
Production company: Solar Films Inc.,
Sales: The Yellow Affair
www.solarfilms.com
Screenings:
Sales: Solar Films Inc.
Thu 29.10. 22:00 Sala Broadway 9
Screenings:
Fri 30.10. 11:45 Sala Broadway 9
Wed 28.10. 22:00 Sala Broadway 9 Thu 29.10. 11:45 Sala Broadway 9
Feature films
The Disciple
They Have Escaped
2013 • 93´
2014 • 102´
An isolated island in the Baltic Sea in
When a boy and girl meet at a detention
the summer of 1939. Thirteen-year-
center for troubled youths, they steal
old Karl comes to the island to work
a car and flee together. Thus begins a
as lighthouse master Hasselbond´s
journey with endless escapes.
assistant. Master Hasselbond turns
They Have Escaped is a film about
Karl down because of his young age.
fragile love, childhood dreams and the
Karl struggles desperately to stay on.
violence of reality.
Karl and Hasselbond’s oppressed son, Gustaf, become friends, but their friendship turns into rivalry and hate when Hasselbond starts to favor Karl over his own son.
Original title: He ovat paenneet Director: J-P Valkeapää Script: J-P Valkeapää, Pilvi Peltola Cinematography: Pietari Peltola Music: Helge Slicker
Original title: Lärjungen
Cast: Roosa Söderholm, Teppo
Director: Ulrika Bengts
Manner, Pelle Heikkilä, Petteri Pennilä
Script: Roland Fauser, Jimmy Carlson
Production company: Helsinki-filmi Oy,
Cinematography: Robert Nordström
www.helsinkifilmi.fi
Music: Peter Hägerstrand
Sales: The Yellow Affair
Cast: Erik Lönngren, Patrik Kumpulainen, Niklas Groundstroem, Amanda Ooms, Ping Mon Wallén Production company:
Screenings: Sat 24.10. 22:00 Sala Broadway 9 Sun 25.10. 11:45 Sala Broadway 9
Långfilm Productions Finland Oy, www.langfilm.fi Sales: Långfilm Productions Screenings: Mon 26.10. 22:00 Sala Broadway 9 Tue 27.10. 11:45 Sala Broadway 9 17
Feature films
Classics
The Grump
Restless Blood
2014 • 103´
1946 • 91’
The Grump is a story about a die-hard
A drama directed by Teuvo Tulio, the
man in his eighties who is outspoken and
father of Finnish melodrama. Two sisters
stubborn. He thinks everything was much
fall in love with the same man, creating a
better in the old days. The story unfolds
love triangle with ill-fated consequences.
Focus on Finland País invitado: Finlandia
as the Grump falls down his basement
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Sylvi, the main character who becomes
steps and hurts his ankle. His city-
blind, is played by Regina Linnanheimo,
dwelling son finds him, and according to
one of the biggest stars from the early
doctor’s orders, the Grump must attend
years of Finnish cinema.
physiotherapy in the city, which means he must stay with his son and daughter-
Original title: Levoton veri
in-law. Now the Grump must face a
Director: Teuvo Tulio
changing world.
Script: Teuvo Tulio, Regina Linnanheimo Cinematography: Pentti Lintonen
Original title: Mielensäpahoittaja
Music: Tauno Marttinen
Director: Dome Karukoski
Cast: Regina Linnanheimo,
Script: Tuomas Kyrö, Dome Karukoski
Eino Katajavuori, Toini Vartiainen
Cinematography: Pini Hellstedt
Production company: Teuvo Tulio
Music: Hilmar Örn Hilmarsson Cast: Antti Litja, Petra Frey,
Screenings:
Mari Peronkoski, Ilkka Forss
Thu 29.10. 19:30 Sala Broadway 1
Production company:
Fri 30.10. 16:45 Sala Broadway 1
Solar Films Inc., www.solarfilms.com Sales: The Yellow Affair Spanish distributor: Film Buro/Aquelarre Screenings: Fri 30.10. 22:00 Sala Broadway 9 Sat 31.10. 11:45 Sala Broadway 9
Classics
The White Reindeer
The Boys
1952 • 74’
1962 • 106’
The White Reindeer is a real gem
Mikko Niskanen is a director who
among Finnish classics, a film we love to
has succeeded exceptionally well in
screen abroad. The film is set in fabled,
portraying the Finnish lifestyle from an
mythical and wild Lapland. A woman is
individual perspective in, for example,
transformed into a reindeer, and with
Eight Deadly Shots.
the intensity rising, we get to watch this
His film The Boys is set in post-World
strange woman, who is thought to be a
War II Lapland as German troops are
witch, journey towards destruction.
pulling out. We see the war and its
The White Reindeer can also be
destruction from the perspective of
considered a successful art film where
boys on the verge of adulthood.
exquisite camerawork and poetic
The life of the main character Jake is
music support female lead Mirjami
turned upside down, and he is faced
Kuosmanen’s fantastic performance.
with a big change.
The film was awarded at the Cannes Film Festival in 1953.
Original title: Pojat Director: Mikko Niskanen
Original title: Valkoinen peura
Script: Mikko Niskanen,
Director: Erik Blomberg
after Paavo Rintala’s novel (1958)
Script: Erik Blomberg,
Cinematography: Olavi Tuomi
Mirjami Kuosmanen
Music: Einar Englund
Cinematography: Erik Blomberg
Cast: Vesa-Matti Loiri, Uti Saurio,
Music: Einar Englund
Hannu Vironmäki, Liisa Nevalainen,
Cast: Mirjami Kuosmanen,
Kauko Helovirta
Åke Lindman, Kalervo Nissilä
Production company:
Production company: Junior-Filmi Oy
Oy Suomen Filmiteollisuus
Screenings:
Screenings:
Mon 26.10. 20:00 Sala Broadway 1
Sun 25.10. 18:00 Sala Broadway 1
Tue 27.10. 16:45 Sala Broadway 1
Mon 26.10. 16:00 Sala Broadway 1 19
Focus on Finland País invitado: Finlandia
Classics
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The Earth Is a Sinful Song
The Man Who Couldn’t Say No
1973 • 108’
1975 • 103’
The Earth Is a Sinful Song is one of
Risto Jarva’s The Man Who Couldn’t
the Finnish films you can’t forget easily.
Say No is a fine portrait of the culture
The portrayal of the people of Lapland
and attitudes of the free and radical 70s.
and their harsh living conditions can
The film, shot in a beautiful old wooden
be described as gritty; that as well as
house in the idyllic neighborhood of
the depiction of their everyday life will
Vallila, Helsinki, is a comedy, which is
stay with you a long time. As we watch a
not that common in Finnish film where
young woman grow into an adult, we also
most are dramas. The main character is
get a good picture of what the different
played by Antti Litja, who also plays the
seasons in Finland look like, thanks to the
lead in Dome Karukoski’s The Grump
masterful camerawork by Kari Sohlberg.
(2014); another example of a long-time
Original title: Maa on syntinen laulu
favorite actor of Finns.
Director: Rauni Mollberg
Original title: Mies, joka ei
Script: Rauni Mollberg,
osannut sanoa ei
Pirjo Honkasalo, Panu Rajala,
Director: Risto Jarva
based on Timo K. Mukka’s novel (1964)
Script: Jussi Kylätasku, Risto Jarva
Cinematography: Kari Sohlberg
Cinematography: Antti Peippo
Music: Hannu Sinnemäki
Music: Markku Kopisto
Cast: Maritta Viitamäki,
Cast: Antti Litja, Kirsti Wallasvaara,
Pauli Jauhojärvi, Aimo Saukko,
Matti Ruohola, Vivi-Ann Sjögren
Milja Hiltunen, Niiles-Jouni Aikio
Production company: Filminor Oy
Production company: RM-Filmi Ky
Screenings:
Screenings:
Wed 28.10. 19:30 Sala Broadway 1
Sat 24.10. 19:30 Sala Broadway 1
Thu 29.10. 16:45 Sala Broadway 1
Sun 25.10. 16:00 Sala Broadway 1
Classics
The Inspection / The Wedding Waltz 1988 • 56’
The Collector 1997 • 96’ The debut film of director Auli Mantila
The Inspection is a film made for TV
is an exceptionally striking masterpiece
and an example of excellent ensemble
from the female director, now also a
work by the filmmakers and actors. This
producer, known for her original style.
film, spiced with dark humor, enjoys a
The main character of the film is Eevi,
cult status, especially among Finnish
a young woman who definitely doesn’t
men. People can recite lines from it, and
have her life together. She’s someone
it’s typically watched on a Friday night
we wouldn’t even want to get to know,
with beer and friends, which is natural,
but the director takes us on a journey
as the central theme of the film is
into her broken mind. Holding our
friendship between men. Director Matti
breaths, we get to watch her actions and
Ijäs has made a long and fine career; all
their consequences. Leea Klemola gives
in all he has directed 36 films.
an excellent performance as Eevi.
Original title: Katsastus Director: Matti Ijäs
She also stars in Simo Halinen’s film Open Up to Me.
Script: Joni Skiftesvik, Matti Ijäs,
Original title: Neitoperho
Timo Torikka, based on several
Director: Auli Mantila
short stories by Joni Skiftesvik
Script: Auli Mantila
Cinematography: Pauli Sipiläinen
Cinematography: Heikki Färm
Music: Antti Hytti
Cast: Leea Klemola, Elina Hurme,
Cast: Vesa Vierikko, Sulevi Peltola,
Rea Mauranen
Markku Maalismaa, Kaija Pakarinen
Production company: GNUfilms Oy
Production company: Yleisradio TV 1
Screenings:
Screenings:
Tue 27.10. 19:30 Sala Broadway 1
Fri 30.10. 18:00 Sala Broadway 11
Wed 28.10. 16:45 Sala Broadway 1
Sat 31.10. 16:00 Sala Broadway 11
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Directors
Marja Pyykkö One of the most promising Finnish new
Mika Kaurismäki Mikko Kuparinen Kirsi Mattila Matti Ijäs Iddo Soskolne
generation movie directors Marja Pyykkö (b. 1975) has graduated from UIAH. Her first feature film Run, Sister, Run is a milestone in the way it portrays the rebellion of the Finnish youth. Village People is Pyykkö’s second feature; a
directors and producers attending valladolid 2015
tongue-in-cheek comedy about people
Zaida Bergroth
longing for a miracle, something or
Zaida Bergroth (b. 1977) has directed
someone to change their lives for good.
the awarded short films Glass Jaw
The story is set way up in Finnish Lapland
(2004) and Heavy Metal 2006). Her first
where everything is twisted but nothing
feature was Last Cowboy Standing
is as it seems. Pyykkö has directed
(2009), which won the Flash Forward
numerous short films and commercials.
-award at Pusan FF 2009, as well as the
As a second-generation movie
Finnish Jussi awards for best screenplay
professional, she has lived and breathed
and best sound design. At Chicago IFF
film since early ages as an actress,
it won Golden Hugo in New Directors
assistant director, casting director and
Competition. The film was also Finland’s
property master before her career
nominee for Nordic Council’s Film Prize.
launched her to the director’s chair.
Simo Halinen Born in 1963, Simon Halinen is a writer/ His TV works include the TV film
Liisa Penttilä-Asikainen
Minerva (1997), the mini-series The Girl
Liisa Penttilä-Asikainen is the CEO
with a Pig Tale (2004) and three-part
and Executive Producer of production
black comedy Golden Retriever (2007)
company Kaiho Republic. Since 2001
His first feature film was Cyclomania
Penttilä-Asikainen has produced awarded
(2001). Open Up to Me is his second
short films, TV series, and feature
feature. Halinen has also written two
films. Some recent examples include Aku
novels: Idänsydänsimpukka (2004) and
Louhimies’s film Naked Harbour (2012)
Lemmenomenia (2008).
and Simo Halinen’s film Open Up To Me
Zaida Bergroth 22
Producers
director, working for film and television.
Simo Halinen
Marja Pyykkö
(2013). She has also co-produced e.g.
between the Finnish film industry and
Lars Von Trier’s Dogville (2003) and
international festivals, sales companies and
Peter Greenaway’s Eisenstein in
distributors around the world.
Guanajuato (2015). Penttilä-Asikainen is
Mrs. Puskala is Finland’s representative
a member of ACE and Board member of
in European Film Promotion (EFP), an
the Finnish Film Foundation.
umbrella organization of promotional institutes of different European countries,
Mark Lwoff
and has been a member of the board
Producer Mark Lwoff (b. 1976) is one
of EFP since 2009. She is also Finland’s
of the founding associates of the
representative in the Festival Group of
production company Bufo in 2007.
Scandinavian Films.
His productions have included feature
jaana.puskala@ses.fi,
films Zaida Bergroth’s The Good Son,
Tel. +358 50 593 2068
Pirjo Honkasalo’s Concrete Night, Akseli Tuomivaara’s Korso and Jörn
Jenni Domingo
Donner’s film Armi Alive!. He’s currently
Jenni Domingo works as a Coordinator
developing White Point, an action film to
of Feature Film Promotion at The Finnish
be directed by Akseli Tuomivaara in 2016.
Film Foundation. She has a background of TV documentary production, as well as working in the film festival organization.
The Finnish Film Foundation
Good films in every genre are her inspirer, organizing things and solving matters her aspiration.
Jaana Puskala
jenni.domingo@ses.fi,
Jaana Puskala has worked in the
Tel. +358 40 841 2849
International Promotion department of the Finnish Film Foundation since 1990. She was the acting Head of International Promotion during 2003–2006 and was appointed the Head of Feature Film Promotion in 2008. As the Head of Feature Film Promotion she is responsible for promoting Finnish feature films abroad as well as building and reinforcing contacts Jaana Puskala
Liisa Penttilä-Asikainen
Mark Lwoff
Jenni Domingo 23
Focus on Finland
24
www.ses.fi