F I N N I S H F I L M S F I N N I S H F I L M S

Transcription

1 F I N N I S H F I L M S F I N N I S H F I L M S

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3 Contents Feature Films Backwood Philosopher 4 Bad Family 6 Gimme Some Respect 8 Heartbeats 10 House of Branching Love, The 12 If You Love 14 Interrogation, The 16 Lapland Odyssey 18 Last Cowboy Standing 20 Magic Crystal, The 22 Playground 24 Princess 26 Pudana Last of Her Family 28 Rare Exports 30 Ricky Rapper and the Bicycle Thief 32 Should I Stay 34 Twisted Roots 36 Under the North Star 38 Under the North Star 2 40 Feature-Length Documentaries All Boys 42 Arabian Shores 44 Auf Wiedersehen Finnland 46 Freetime Machos 48 Home Dreams 50 In the Shadow of a Doubt 52 In the Steam of Life 54 Ito A Diary of an Urban Priest 56 Kinnvika The Last Border 58 Magnetic Man, The 60 Matti Nykänen By His Own Words 62 Portrait of a Man 64 Rules of Single Life 66 Saving Souls 68 Selling the Silence 70 Silent Longing 72 Vesku from Finland 74 Volga, Volga 76 Top Films in Finland Local Films Facts in Figures 80 Finnish Feature Films Film Festivals in Finland International Sales Companies 85 Useful Addresses 86 Distributors in Finland 88 Producers 90 3

4 F I N N I S H F E A T U R E F I L M S mm, Digital Cinema print 1:2,35 Dolby digital 110 Premiere: January 15, 2010 Director, script: Kari Väänänen Cinematography: Timo Salminen Editing: Benjamin Mercer Sound design: Jyrki Rahkonen Music: Pessi Levanto Set design: Markku Pätilä Costumes: Johanna Heikkilä Cast: Kai Lehtinen, Tommi Korpela, Hannu-Pekka Björkman Producers: Marko Röhr, Mikko Tenhunen Production company: MRP Matila Röhr Productions Production support: The Finnish Film Foundation Financing TV company: YLE Distributor in Finland: Nordisk Film Backwood Philosopher [ H a v u k k a - a h o n a j a t t e l i j a ] Backwood Philosopher is based on a hugely popular novel by Veikko Huovinen. Two biologists from a university travel to the remote backwoods of eastern Finland. They get Konsta Pylkkänen to guide them; he is an uneducated but smart lumberjack who has developed Baron von Münchhausen-like visions on how the world is constructed. The three men start a journey through the woods and learn new things about science, history and human nature from each other. Kari Väänänen Director-screenwriter Väänänen is an accomplished director of two feature films (The Classic / Klassikko, 2001, and The Quiet Village / Vaiennut kylä, 1997) and the TV series Taivaan tulet (2007). In addition, Väänänen has played roles in dozens of feature films, receiving two Jussi Awards for his performances; for best lead male in the film Jon (1983) and best supporting male in the film Trench Road (Juoksuhaudantie, 2004). Väänänen has also received a Venla Award for the TV series Taivaan tulet. Photo: Malla Hukkanen 4

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6 F I N N I S H F E A T U R E F I L M S mm 1:1,85 Dolby Premiere: January 29, 2010 Director, script: Aleksi Salmenperä Cinematography: Tuomo Hutri Editing: Samu Heikkilä Sound design: Tero Malmberg Music: Ville A. Tanttu Set design: Markku Pätilä Costumes: Ella Brigatti Cast: Ville Virtanen, Pihla Viitala, Lauri Tilkanen Producer: Aki Kaurismäki Production company: Sputnik Oy Production support: The Finnish Film Foundation, Nordisk Film & TV Fond Financing TV company: YLE Co-productions Distributor in Finland: Sandrew Metronome Distribution Finland Oy Ab International sales: The Match Factory Bad Family [ P a h a p e r h e ] After going through an ugly divorce, the father has been raising the family s son on his own, while the mother has had custody of the daughter. Sixteen years later, the mother passes away and the brother and sister meet again. The brother has a crush on his sister and rebels against his father, who copes poorly with the situation. The father ends up alone with his own demented father. Aleksi Salmenperä Salmenperä (b. 1973) graduated as MA in directing and screenwriting from the University of Art and Design Helsinki in He has directed several short films, including the award-winning Ferry-Go-Round (Onnenpeli 2001, 2001). He has also directed several films and series for TV, such as Vapaa pudotus ( Free Fall ) in 2001 and Tie Eedeniin ( The Road to Eden ) in His first feature film, Producing Adults (Lapsia ja aikuisia), was selected as Finland s Oscar entry in 2004, and has been sold to 15 countries. In 2007, he was selected as Finnish Film Director of the Year. His second feature film A Man s Job (Miehen työ, director/writer) was also the Finnish Oscar entry in 2007, and has received awards at many festivals around the world. 6

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8 F I N N I S H F E A T U R E F I L M S Digimaster, 35mm 1:2,35 Dolby digital 92 Premiere: June 18, 2010 Director: Pekka Karjalainen Script: Leena Virtanen Cinematography: Heikki Färm Editing: Kauko Lindfors Sound design: Pekka Karjalainen Music: Heikki Silvennoinen, Pekka Karjalainen Set design: Tytti Tiri Costumes: Riitta Röpelinen Cast: Outi Kero, Elena Leeve, Asko Vaarala, Kari-Pekka Toiviainen, Svante Martin, Sami Helle, Aapo Ahtola, Heikki Hela, Inkeri Kivimäki, Miia Lindström Producer: Riikka Poulsen Production company: Meguru Production Production support: The Finnish Film Foundation, Church Media Foundation Financing TV company: YLE TV1 Distributor in Finland: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Finland Gimme Some Respect [ V ä h ä n k u n n i o i t u s t a ] A young woman, SIIRI is about to move away from home. Her aim is to become independent and she is dreaming about LOVE. Just like many other young women. However, there is one thing separating her from the others: Siiri is mentally disabled. She is doing well on the road to becoming independent. She resides in an innovative dormitory and refuses to live on social security, instead getting a job to support herself. Siiri falls in love with SANTERI. Santeri is not mentally disabled. For a while happiness blooms. Siiri s friend SUSKI, who lives in the same dormitory, is desperately dreaming about marriage and, not being careful enough, ends up getting sexually abused. This event along with the unprejudiced relationship with Siiri and Santeri blows up all the hidden attitudes of people to the surface. Pekka Karjalainen Pekka Karjalainen (born in 1961) studied at the Film Department of the University of Art and Design Helsinki UIAH from which he graduated as a Master of Arts. Karjalainen has worked as a sound designer in more than 30 feature-length films. The films he has directed include the documentary film The Rhythm (Rytmi, 1991), the featurelength road movie Hysteria (1993), the television films A Pastoral (Pastoraali, 1995) and Beatlehem (2003) as well as the feature film Jackpot (Kummelin Jackpot, 2006). Photo: Jani Häkli 8

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10 F I N N I S H F E A T U R E F I L M S mm, Digibeta 1:1,85 / 16:9 Dolby digital 5.0 / Stereo 81 Premiere: March 5, 2010 Director, script: Saara Cantell Cinematography: Marita Hällfors Editing: Pauliina Punkki Sound design: Pietari Koskinen Music: Sid Hille Set design: Pirjo Rossi Costumes: Sanja Kangas Cast: Anneli Sauli, Jenni Banerjee, Meri Nenonen, Johanna af Schulten, Leena Uotila, Maryan Guuleed, Elena Spirina, Roosa Salomaa, Tommi Raitolehto, Sampo Sarkola, Yrjö Parjanne, Titus Rantala Producer: Outi Rousu Production company: Pystymetsä Oy Production support: The Finnish Film Foundation Financing TV companies: YLE Teema, YLE Co-productions Distributor in Scandinavia: Nordisk Film Oy Heartbeats [ K o h t a a m i s i a ] Martta has a secret she won t reveal to her family. Noora tries to find her wings and Meri learns that you should be careful what you wish for. Olga and Fardusa are looking for a chance for a better future far away from home, while Emmi misses her chances by always making the wrong choices. And Anu faces her past in a supermarket parking lot. Still every one of them comes to realise that a single encounter can change the course of their lives. Saara Cantell Director-screenwriter Saara Cantell has directed the children s movie Unna & Nuuk (2006), several short films (including the award-winning Portrait / Potretti, 2003, and What If / Mahdollisuus, 2005), TV series (including Fairy Tales from Frontier / Rajametsän tarinoita, 2004) and dance films (including the award-winning A Tale of Shatters / Sirpalesatu, 1995). She has also written screenplays for TV series (including Black Cat s Passage / Mustan kissan kuja, 2000). Her documentary Very Own (Ikiomaksi, 2007) was nominated for the Prix Europa 2008 competition. Saara graduated as a film director from the Department of Film at the University of Art and Design Helsinki in She has also studied directing and screenwriting in the US and other Nordic countries. Photo: Johanna Onnismaa 10

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12 F I N N I S H F E A T U R E F I L M S mm, Digibeta, HDcam 1:2,35 Dolby digital 107 Premiere: August 21, 2009 Director: Mika Kaurismäki Script: Mika Kaurismäki, Sami Keski-Vähälä based on a novel by Petri Karra Cinematography: Rauno Ronkainen Editing: Jukka Nykänen Sound design: Joonas Jyrälä Music: Jarmo Saari Set design: Pete Neuvonen Costumes: Niina Pasanen Producer: Mika Kaurismäki Production company: Marianna Films Oy Production support: The Finnish Film Foundation Financing TV company: MTV3 Distributor in Finland: FS Film Oy International Sales: Wide Management The House of Branching Love [ H a a r a u t u v a n r a k k a u d e n t a l o ] Family therapist Juhani Helin, 35, and business trainer Paula Helin, 34, decide to divorce in a civilized manner and move to separate addresses after selling their house. But when Paula invites Marco, a one-night stand, to the house and Juhani takes revenge on Paula by hiring Nina, a prostitute, from Wolffi, his half-brother and a pimp, to play his new girlfriend in order to force Paula to leave the house, the Pandora s box in their marriage flies open and releases the plagues of love and hate. Mika Kaurismäki Mika Kaurismäki s first film The Liar (Valehtelija, 1980) marked the beginning of cinema for the Kaurismäki brothers and started a new era in Finnish cinema. He has since directed films all around the world. His work includes, e.g. the fictional films The Worthless (Arvottomat, 1982), Rosso (1985), Helsinki Napoli All Night Long (1987), Amazon (1990), LA Without a Map (1998), Honey Baby (2004) and the documentaries Tigrero A Film That Was Never Made (1994, with Sam Fuller and Jim Jarmusch), Brasileirinho (2005) and Sonic Mirror (2007). In 2008, after 17 years of not filming in Finland, he directed two Finnish fictional films, Three Wise Men (Kolme viisasta miestä, 2008) and The House of Branching Love (Haarautuvan rakkauden talo, 2009). 12

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14 F I N N I S H F E A T U R E F I L M S mm, Digital Cinema print Cinemascope 1:2,35 Dolby Digital 121 Premiere: January 6, 2010 Director: Neil Hardwick Script: Katja Kallio Cinematography: Pini Hellstedt Choreography: Osku Heiskanen Editing: Harri Ylönen Sound design: Pasi Peni Music: Leri Leskinen Set design: Kaisa Mäkinen Costumes: Elina Kolehmainen Cast: Elli Vallinoja, Chike Ohanwe, Minttu Mustakallio, Taneli Mäkelä, Satu Silvo, Meri Nenonen, Jenni Halaka Producer: Jarkko Hentula Production company: Juonifilmi Oy Production support: The Finnish Film Foundation Financing TV company: YLE Distributor in Finland: FS Film Oy If You Love [ J o s r a k a s t a t ] If You Love is an edgy musical love story between a politician s daughter and an immigrant family s son. A spoiled 19-year-old girl, Ada crashes a car, loses her memory and has to start her life anew. She falls in love with Toni, but has to carry a big secret that threatens to destroy everything. Neil Hardwick Neil Hardwick boasts a long history in television and theatre, and has written and directed a host of TV comedies (Tankki täyteen, Reinikainen, Sisko ja sen veli, Nyhjää tyhjästä) and drama (Musta tuntuu, Pakanamaan kartta). In recent years, Hardwick has directed theatre, including musicals (The Producers Kevät koittaa Hitlerille, Me and My Girl) and other plays (Kvartetti, Miksi naiset aina rakastuvat Ernestiin, Hitchcock ja blondi). 14

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16 F I N N I S H F E A T U R E F I L M S mm, Digital Cinema print 16:9 Strereo 102 Premiere: September 25, 2009 Director: Jörn Donner Script: Olli Soinio Cinematography: Pirjo Honkasalo Editing: Klaus Grabber Sound design: Joonas Jyrälä Music: Pedro Hietanen Set design: Pentti Valkeasuo Costumes: Auli Turtiainen Cast: Minna Haapkylä, Marcus Groth, Hannu-Pekka Björkman, Lauri Nurkse Producers: Mark Lwoff, Misha Jaari Production company: Jörn Donner Productions Oy Production support: The Finnish Film Foundation Financing TV company: YLE TV1 Distributor in Finland: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Finland The Interrogation [ K u u l u s t e l u ] Kerttu Nuorteva, a Finnish-born Soviet citizen and spy, was dropped into Finland by parachute in February She operated undercover in Helsinki until the 7th of September, when she was arrested after making a mistake. The Interrogation is, as the title reveals, the story about her interrogations that were conducted by three different men. At first, they achieved no results. Kerttu, whose true identity was slowly revealed, refused to believe what she was told about the cruelty of Stalin s killing machinery that also targeted Finns. Little by little, her defences began to crumble as the World War was irrevocably turning in favour of the Soviet Union. In spite of her cooperation, Kerttu was sentenced to death. She was, however, saved by the ending of the war. This is a film about Kerttu Nuorteva s difficult and mostly impossible choices. Jörn Donner Jörn Donner (b. 1933) has mainly produced himself as a writer. Among his more than 50 books, two are about Ingmar Bergman. Donner has also served in the Finnish and the European Parliament, and as Finland s Consul-General in Los Angeles. As a film producer, his best-known film is Bergman s Fanny & Alexander. Donner has written and directed more than 15 feature films and several documentaries for TV. His first feature, A Sunday in September (En söndag i September) won the Opera Prima award in Venice The Interrogation is his return to filmmaking after an absence of many years. 16

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18 F I N N I S H F E A T U R E F I L M S mm, Digital Cinema print 1:2,35 Dolby 100 Premiere: October 15, 2010 Director Dome Karukoski Script: Pekko Pesonen Cinematography: Pini Hellstedt Editing: Harri Nykänen Music: Lance Hogan Set design: Pirjo Rossi Costumes: Anna Vilppunen Cast: Jussi Vatanen, Jasper Pääkkönen, Timo Lavikainen, Pamela Tola, Kari Ketonen, Miia Nuutila Producer: Aleksi Bardy Production company: Helsinki -filmi Oy Co-producers: Ripple World Pictures, Dominic Wright and Jacqueline Kerrin & Anagram produktion AB, Martin Persson Production support: The Finnish Film Foundation, Irish Film Board, NFTF, Swedish Film Institute, Film i Väst, Media Plus, SVT Financing TV company: YLE TV1 Distributor in Finland: Sandrew Metronome Distribution Finland Oy Ab Lapland Odyssey [ N a p a p i i r i n s a n k a r i t ] A comedy about three long-term unemployed young men, living in Lapland, who set out on a quest to find a digital receiver, a digi box, on a wintery Friday night. Lapland is rough, cold and suicide kills more than traffic. The sun almost never comes up, all the women have left to work in the south and the men stay to drink, take care of reindeers or hang themselves. Our main character, Janne, is exceptional: he has a girlfriend, Inari. But he hasn t managed to get a digi box until finally Inari, won t take any more explanations and threatens to move to south, unless he returns with a digi box by the morning. The quest is a tough one, since the boys are broke and Rovaniemi, where Janne s father-in-law has a home appliance store, is 200 kilometers away. As the night proceeds, the boys try to operate an illegal taxi business, make a hole in the ice for a ladies under water rugby team, and slaughter a reindeer for a group of noveau riche Russians. Each attempt to earn money ends up worse than the other. As the night approaches morning, Janne dares to challenge all odds in order to get the digi box even death. In the end, the quest is not about Inari never mind the digi box but a desire that has woken within Janne to, for once in his life, finish something he has begun. It is a quest for a man to find his dignity and belief in himself. Dome Karukoski Karukoski (b in Cyprus) is the most active young film director in Finland. His debut feature was Beauty and the Bastard (Tyttö sinä olet tähti, 2005), and after that followed The Home of Dark Butterflies (Tummien perhosten koti, 2008), which was Finland s entry for the Oscars. Forbidden Fruit (Kielletty hedelmä, 2009) opened in the competition at Gothenburg International Film Festival. The festival carrier after that has included Karlovy Vary, Cairo and Festroia, where it won three prizes, including Best Film. Photo: Tuukka Ylönen 18

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20 F I N N I S H F E A T U R E F I L M S mm 1:2,35 (Cinemascope) Dolby digital 126 Premiere: September 4, 2009 Director: Zaida Bergroth Script: Antti Raivio, Jan Forsström, Zaida Bergroth Cinematography: Anu Keränen Editing: Niels Pagh Andersen Sound design: Janne Laine Music: Alex Hacke Set design: Kaisa Mäkinen Costumes: Sari Suominen Cast: Ilmari Järvenpää, Onni Tommila, Martti Suosalo, Leea Klemola, Lauri Tilkanen, Iiro Panula Producer: Jarkko Hentula Production company: Juonifilmi Oy Co-producers: Nicoile Gerhards, Hanneke van der Tas / NikoFilm (Germany) Production support: The Finnish Film Foundation Financing TV companies: YLE, ZDF/ARTE Distributor in Finland: FS Film Oy International sales: m-appeal Last Cowboy Standing [ S k a v a b ö l e n p o j a t ] In 1972, Rupert, 8 and Evert, 6 are two lovable and wildly imaginative brothers, lost in their cowboys-and-indians fantasies and in the playground romances with the neighbourhood girls. In the background is the warm but explosive and unstable mother and the charming but unreliable father. The family has moved to a new house, and the future looks bright. Everything starts to fall apart when Rupert finds a hidden letter. There are terrible fights and hushed whispers; then Mom is taken somewhere to rest for a while. Later on there is confusing talk about a new mom. The brothers make a blood oath: one can t lie or die, or one has to pay the other a million or more for the rest of his life. Rupert tries to hold the family together. But in the end things get too complicated, and real tragedy waits in the wings of the fantasy plays. In 1982 the guilt-ridden 18-year-old Rupert tries to remember and understand the events of the past amidst the chaos of the present. If he doesn t find absolution, the family tragedy will be repeated, and the curse will live on. Dad is coming home, and the blood oath is about to be broken. Zaida Bergroth Zaida Bergroth (born 1977) has studied film directing at the University of Art and Design Helsinki s School of Motion Picture, TV and Production Design. Glass Jaw (Lasileuka, 2004) was her diploma work at the university. Her latest two short fiction films Heavy Metal (2007) and Town Manager (Kunnanjohtaja, 2007) have won several prizes at different festivals. Last Cowboy Standing is Bergroth s first feature film. 20

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22 F I N N I S H F E A T U R E F I L M S mm, Digital Cinema print, Stereoscopic (3D) version 1:1, surround 76 Premiere: November 5, 2010 Director, editing: Antti Haikala Script: Bob Swain, Dan Wicksman, Nuria Wicksman, Kurt Weldon, Alessandro Liggieri, Antti Haikala Producer: Mikael Wahlforss Production company: Epidem ZOT Co-producers: Gianluca Bellomo / ConnecToon (Italy); Mark Mertens / Skyline Film & Television (Belgium) Production support: The Finnish Film Foundation Financing TV company: Channel Four Finland Distributor in Finland: Sandrew Metronome Distribution Finland Oy Ab The Magic Crystal [ M a a g i n e n k r i s t a l l i ] A magic crystal makes it possible for Santa to multiply his efforts to distribute presents to children and thus bring happiness to families all over the world. But Santa s evil twin brother, Basil, has a diabolic plan. He plans to steal the crystal and gain control over children s minds. But thanks to the courage of a human boy, Yotan, the crystal is saved by Santa s RED CAPS his crew of elf helpers. They succeed, after many adventures and crises, in saving the crystal and bringing it back to Santa s headquarters in Korvatunturi. But even if this film shares the ethic values of the elvish tradition, The Magic Crystal is closer to science fiction than classic Nordic mythology. Antti Haikala Antti Haikala is a seasoned animation professional. He has studied traditional animation but has specialised in 3D animation during his career. In 2000, Antti co-founded Anima Vitae, which is currently the biggest animation studio in Finland. At Anima, Antti started as a character animator and evolved during the years to become supervising animator and animation director. For Antti, making animations is all about passion but also hard work that differs a lot from other filmmaking techniques. 22

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24 F I N N I S H F E A T U R E F I L M S mm 1:1,85 Dolby digital 89 Premiere: October 23, 2009 Director: Toni Laine Script: Petja Peltomaa, Sanna Reinumägi Cinematography: Konsta Sohlberg Editing: Aleksi Raij Sound design: Mika Niinimaa Music: Kalle Sinkkonen Set design: Päivi Kettunen Costumes: Anna Vilppunen Cast: Sibell Kekilli, Mikko Leppilampi, Teemu Palosaari, June Hyde Producer: Aleksi Bardy Production company: Helsinki -filmi Oy Co-producer: Network Movie Film- und Fernsehproduktion GmbH (Germany) Production support: The Finnish Film Foundation Financing TV companies: Channel Four Finland, NDR Distributor in Finland: Sandrew Metronome Distribution Finland Oy Ab Playground [ P i h a l l a ] Laura is a German wife and mother who moves to Finland because her husband gets a job there. At first everything is very difficult; her husband is always working, Laura is unable to find friends and the November city is not showing its best side. By chance, Laura is mistaken for a single mother, which allows her to make new friends and become acquainted with Tero, who gives music lessons for children at the local playground. Laura ends up having an affair with Tero, and the deeper she gets into the affair, the more she comes to like her new hometown. When spring arrives and it is time for her to move, Laura s life has changed in many ways. Toni Laine Playground is Toni Laine s first feature film. Laine has previously directed a number of popular and award-winning TV projects, commercials and music videos. Laine graduated from the University of Art and Design Helsinki s School of Motion Picture, TV and Production Design. 24

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26 F I N N I S H F E A T U R E F I L M S mm, Digital Cinema print Cinemascope Dolby digital ~ Premiere: September 10, 2010 Director: Arto Halonen Script: Pirjo Toikka, Arto Halonen, Paavo Westerberg Cinematography: Hannu Vitikainen Editing: Tuuli Kuittinen Sound design: Juha Linna Music: Tuomas Kantelinen Set design: Jukka Uusitalo Costumes: Ritva Muikku Cast: Katja Kukkola, Samuli Edelmann, Krista Kosonen, Peter Franzén, Pirkka- Pekka Petelius, Antti Litja, Irma Junnilainen, Paavo Westerberg, Paula Vesala, Tapio Liinoja, Ulla Tapaninen, Joanna Haartti, Pertti Koivula Producers: Arto Halonen, Alf Hemming Production company: Art Films production AFP Oy Production support: The Finnish Film Foundation Financing TV company: MTV 3 Distributor in Finland: Sandrew Metronome Distribution Finland Oy Ab Princess [ P r i n s e s s a ] A film about a woman, judged to be ill by society, who heals and brings joy to people around her with her presence and personality. As she heals her surroundings more effectively than the prevailing healthcare system, society attempts to suppress this individual s inner light. Princess is a light-hearted film based on a true story, concerning the most famous patient of Kellokoski psychiatric hospital, Anna Lappalainen. Diagnosed as manic depressive with symptoms of schizophrenia, Anna Lappalainen claims to be a princess when brought into the hospital and does not want to be called by her own name. Lappalainen s arrival kick-starts a long battle with the hospital s staff over her identity and her right to dictate her own personality. Eventually Kellokoski hospital becomes the Princess s castle where Anna holds court, bringing joy and healing to her surroundings. Arto Halonen Halonen has directed numerous award-winning films, e.g. the documentaries Shadow of the Holy Book (Pyhän kirjan varjo, 2007), Pavlov s Dogs (Pavlovin koirat, 2005), The Stars Caravan (Taivasta vasten, 2000) and Karmapa Two Ways of Divinity (Karmapa jumaluuden kaksi tietä, 1998). In 2005 he got the Finland Prize, the highest annual prize in the arts given by the Ministry of Culture. In 1998 he received the European Humanitarian Award, and in 2008 the Thessaloniki Documentary Festival honoured him as one of the most important documentary filmmakers of his generation. He is the founder of DocPoint Helsinki Documentary Film Festival. 26

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28 F I N N I S H F E A T U R E F I L M S mm, Digibeta 1:1,85 / 16:9 Dolby digital 85 Premiere: February 26, 2010 Directors: Anastasia Lapsui, Markku Lehmuskallio Script: Anastasia Lapsui Cinematography: Johannes Lehmuskallio Editing: Juho Gartz Sound design: Sergei Zabenin Set design: Nedko Seratetto, Irina Jevai Cast: Nadezhda Pyrerko, Aleksandra Okotetto, Anastasia Lapsui, Jevgeni Hudi, Roza Laptander, Gregori Anaguritsi, Nadezhda Vanuito, Pjotr Tuboltsev, Nedko Seratetto, Ljudmila Zanikova, Ljudmila Libatova Producers: Jouko Aaltonen, Pertti Veijalainen Production company: Illume Ltd. Production support: The Finnish Film Foundation Financing TV company: YLE Co-productions Distributor in Finland: Pirkanmaa Film Centre PEK Pudana Last of Her Family [ S u k u n s a v i i m e i n e n ] A story of change, upbringing and deprivation of identity, set in the Yamal Peninsula during the days of Soviet government and is based on a true story in director Lapsui s childhood surroundings. A little Nenets girl called Neko is taken against her will from the tent her family lives in to a boarding school in a remote Russian village. Forced to adapt to a foreign culture and new customs, Neko rebels against the Russification to which she is subjected and, consequently, gets bullied by her schoolmates and singled out by her teachers. After several conflicts, Neko decides to flee together with her Nenets schoolmate, hoping to get back to her family and old way of life. However, the children s flight in the icy forests and tundra is short-lived and their return to the boarding school and their new Russian life is inevitable. The story is told as old Neko s, or now Nadja s, memory. Now, after a long and full life, she recalls the moment that ended her childhood and started her life as a part of the other society. But something important has changed forever; Neko, the last of her family, has grown away from her original roots and lost her skill to sustain the ancient traditions of her family. Anastasia Lapsui and Markku Lehmuskallio The collaboration of Nenets-born Lapsui (1944, Yamal Peninsula, Russia) and Lehmuskallio (1938, Rauma, Finland) has lasted for almost two decades, resulting in 18 feature films. The couple s films portraying traditional life in the subarctic areas have earned them recognition and awards worldwide. Lapsui has also worked as a radio journalist, editor and scriptwriter. Lehmuskallio has directed films since Indigenous people and cultures play a leading role in his films. The local people performing in his fiction films give them a touch of reality and verity that is seldom seen on screen. 28

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30 F I N N I S H F E A T U R E F I L M S mm 1:2,35 cinemascope Dolby digital 85 Premiere: December 3, 2010 Director, script: Jalmari Helander Cinematography: Mika Orasmaa Editing: Kimmo Taavila Sound design: Tuomas Seppänen, Timo Anttila Music: Juri Seppä, Miska Seppä Set design: Torunn Anfinsen, Liv Ask, Runar Waag Johnsen Costumes: Saija Siekkinen Cast: Onni Tommila, Jorma Tommila, Per Christian Ellefsen, Tommi Korpela, Rauno Juvonen, Peeter Jakobi, Ilmari Järvenpää, Jonathan Hutchings Producer: Petri Jokiranta Production company: Cinet Co-producers: Knut Skoglund / Pomor Film (Norway), Anna Björk / Davaj Film (Sweden), François-Xavier Frantz / Love Streams Agnes b. Productions (France) Production support: FilmCamp, Filmpool Nord, The Finnish Film Foundation, Norwegian Film Institute, NFTF, Media Financing TV companies: YLE TV1, Canal+ France Distributor in Finland: FS Film Oy Rare Exports A film for those who think they don t believe in Santa Claus anymore. Black comedy, suspense, fantasy with a realistic approach. Based on the director s award-winning shorts that have already acquired a cult reputation on the internet. Jalmari Helander Helander (b. 1976) has directed commercials and worked with a number of big brands. He is known for his short films Rare Exports Inc. (2003) and Rare Exports: The Official Safety Instructions (2005). Placed on a website, the shorts gathered nearly half a million viewers in just a few months. The films have been awarded at several festivals. Director Luc Besson approached Helander with a request to include Rare Exports Inc. in his annual showcase compilation of the world s best short films. Helander s style is action-based and very cinematographic, with a twist of comedy.

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32 F I N N I S H F E A T U R E F I L M S mm, Digital Cinema print 16:9 Anamorphic, 1:1,85 Widescreen Dolby Digital 78 Premiere: February 12, 2010 Director: Mari Rantasila Script: Sinikka Nopola, Tiina Nopola Cinematography: Timo Heinänen Editing: Tuuli Kuittinen Sound design: Risto Iissalo Music: Iiro Rantala Set design: Minna Santakari Costumes: Niina Pasanen Cast: Severi Heikkilä, Lauramaija Luoto, Martti Suosalo, Ulla Tapaninen, Annu Valonen, Marcus Groth, Joel Bonsdorff, Puntti Valtonen, Jukka Rasila, Martti Syrjä, Pantse Syrjä Producers: Lasse Saarinen, Rimbo Salomaa Production company: Kinotar Oy Production support: The Finnish Film Foundation Financing TV company: YLE Co-productions Distributor in Finland: Nordisk Film Oy www. ristorappaaja.fi Ricky Rapper and the Bicycle Thief [ R i s t o R ä p p ä ä j ä j a p o l k u p y ö r ä v a r a s ] Ricky Rapper s adventures continue in a fabulous new musical comedy. Ricky Rapper and the Bicycle Thief is a touching and action-packed musical comedy, which takes us on a completely new set of adventures by Ricky. Serena Rapper and Lennart Lindberg decide to go on a vacation and Fanny Freezer comes to take care of Ricky and Nelly Noodlehead. Ricky gets a fancy new bike as a consolation. Unfortunately, the new bike disappears inexplicably. This sets off a wild adventure in which all the key characters mysteriously cross paths. And what is the role of Bertil and Robert Rosenbögel and a hospital headed by oddly behaving doctors in all this? Mari Rantasila Mari Rantasila (born 1963) is one of Finland s most successful actors and singers, who has also proved her talent as a director. Her previous films include Ricky Rapper (Risto Räppääjä, 2008) Kiltin yön lahjat (2004), Parting (Pieniä eroja, 2002) and Grapefruit (Greippi, 1999). 32

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34 F I N N I S H F E A T U R E F I L M S mm, Digital Cinema print 1:2,35 Dolby Digital ~100 Premiere: August 2010 Director: Marja Pyykkö Script: Laura Suhonen, Marja Pyykkö Cinematography: Konsta Sohlberg Editing: Mikko Sippola Sound design: Panu Riikonen Music: Antti Lehtinen Set design: Antti Nikkinen Costumes: Tiina Kaukanen Cast: Ada Kukkonen, Sara Melleri, Anna-Leena Uotila, Seppo Pääkkönen, Kristiina Halttu, Heikki Nousiainen Producers: Markus Selin, Jukka Helle, Piia Nokelainen Production company: Solar Films Oy Production support: The Finnish Film Foundation Financing TV company: Channel Four Finland Distributor in Finland: Nordisk Film Oy International sales: TrustNordisk Should I Stay [ S i s k o t a h t o i s i n j ä ä d ä ] A bittersweet story about 15-year-old Emilia and her struggle between family and passionate friendship when she is trying to find her own path and identity. Emilia has always been the responsible one in her family. Emilia s parents are divorced, and the children live with their dad. In the absence of their mother, Emilia looks after her little sister, and her dad says that Emilia will always do well. On the last day of the summer vacation, Emilia meets Siiri, who seems to be everything Emilia wishes she was: brave, free and independent. It is friendship at first sight, and Emilia s life soon revolves around Siiri. But can freedom be found in a symbiotic relationship with Siiri? Emilia has to find the courage to break free from Siiri in order to become whole and find her own path. Should I Stay is a film about the pain and beauty of being young. Marja Pyykkö Marja Pyykkö (b. 1975) has studied film directing at the School of Motion Picture, TV and Production Design of the University of Art and Design Helsinki since She has previously directed the TV film Here Lies Aino Koski (Tässä lepää Aino Koski, 2007), the short films Rispect (2004) and Tango (2003) and a number of advertising films. In addition, she has worked as an assistant director, in casting tasks and as a film, television and stage actress. Should I Stay is the first feature film directed by her. 34

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36 F I N N I S H F E A T U R E F I L M S mm 1:2,35 Dolby digital 99 Premiere: October 9, 2009 Director: Saara Saarela Script: Selja Ahava, Saara Saarela Cinematography: Rauno Ronkainen F.S.C. Editing: Harri Ylönen Sound design: Janne Laine Music: Marko Nyberg Set design: Anu Maja Costumes: Tiina Kaukanen Cast: Milka Ahlroth, Pertti Sveholm, Niko Saarela, Silva Robbins, Vieno Saaristo Producer: Liisa Penttilä Production company: Edith Film Oy Co-producer: Film i Väst Production support: The Finnish Film Foundation, NFTF Financing TV company: YLE Distributor in Finland: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Finland Twisted Roots [ V ä ä r ä t j u u r e t ] Drama about the traditions and legacy of the Kuura family. For the first time in years, the family is united under one roof by the father s defective gene. During an unpredictable winter, they search for balance between secrets and truths. The parents have to face themselves and their repressed fears. At the same time the children are trying to find their place in the family and understand their heritage. Saara Saarela Saara Saarela (born 1971) has studied film history in France and graduated from the University of Art and Design Helsinki s School of Motion Picture, TV and Production Design with a Master in Arts in Her previous works include Stripping (Hengittämättä ja nauramatta, 2002), a number of TV series, among them Jako kahteen (2004), a 10-episode TV series about a family on the verge of divorce, and Poikkeustila (2006), a 12-episode TV series about a refugee reception center. Saarela has also directed several award-winning short films and commercials. 36

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38 F I N N I S H F E A T U R E F I L M S mm, Digital Cinema print 1:1,85 Dolby digital 193 Premiere: December 4, 2009 Director: Timo Koivusalo Script: Timo Koivusalo, based on novels by Väinö Linna Cinematography: Pertti Mutanen Editing: Jyrki Luukko, Timo Koivusalo Sound design: Jyrki Luukko, Olli Pärnänen Set design: Markku Myllymäki Costumes: Leila Jäntti Cast: Ilkka Koivula, Vera Kiiskinen, Risto Tuorila, Ritva Jalonen, Heikki Nousiainen, Hannu-Pekka Björkman, Jonna Järnefelt, Sulevi Peltola, Miia Selin, Esko Roine, Sara Paavolainen, Topi Salmela, Eija Vilpas, Jukka Leisti, Mikko Nousiainen, Elena Leeve Producer: Timo Koivusalo Production company: Artista Filmi Oy Production support: The Finnish Film Foundation Financing TV company: YLE TV2 Distributor in Finland: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Finland Under the North Star [ T ä ä l l ä P o h j a n t ä h d e n a l l a ] Akseli Koskela is the son of a parsonage crofter who finds it impossible to submit to the role of a faithful and humble servant required of him by the conservative upper class. Unlike previous generations who had no other alternative, Akseli begins dreaming of freedom and the right to his own lands, fuelled by the new and stirring ideologies of the time. The uncertainty of life strikes with force as the parsonage reclaims most of the fields that Akseli s father has cleared out of raw marshland. The grim and irreconcilable bitterness caused by this makes Akseli take an interest in social issues. He joins the local Workers Association, but its moderate and pacifist views don t satisfy Akseli for long, and he joins the Red Guard, whose purpose is to claim by force that which is not given to the working class by peaceful action: the right to the fruits of their own labour. In 1918, Finland s bitter and bloody Civil War divides the people in two. Focused and strongwilled, Akseli is promoted to the position of company commander and, after the Reds devastating defeat, is put in charge of a hopeless mission: leading a ragged refugee caravan, fleeing the victors revenge, across the border to safety. Timo Koivusalo Timo Koivusalo (born 1963) is the managing director and owner of Artista Filmi. Since 1994 he has directed 11 feature films. He is a producer, director, writer, editor, TV-host and composer. He has received several film and TV awards. His latest films include The Leaning Tower (Kalteva torni, 2006), Sibelius (2003), Shadow of the Eagle (Kaksipäisen kotkan varjossa, 2005) and The Rose of a Rascal (Rentun ruusu, 2001). Photos: Susanna Palin 38

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40 F I N N I S H F E A T U R E F I L M S mm, Digital Cinema print Dolby digital 120 Premiere: October 1, 2010 Director, script: Timo Koivusalo Cinematography: Pertti Mutanen Editing: Jyrki Luukko, Timo Koivusalo Sound design: Olli Pärnänen Music: Jaakko Kuusisto Set design: Markku Myllymäki Costumes: Leila Jäntti Cast: Ilkka Koivula, Vera Kiiskinen, Risto Tuorila, Ritva Jalonen, Jonna Järnefelt, Hannu-Pekka Björkman, Esko Roine, Sara Paavolainen, Sulevi Peltola, Miia Selin, Ville Virtanen, Sampo Sarkola, Reino Nordin, Miina Turunen, Jukka Leisti, Tapani Kalliomäki, Jari Salmi, Antti Luusuaniemi, Anna Lipponen, Aku Hirviniemi Producer: Timo Koivusalo Production company: Artista Filmi Oy Production support: The Finnish Film Foundation Financing TV company: YLE TV2 Distributor in Finland: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Finland Under the North Star 2 [ T ä ä l l ä P o h j a n t ä h d e n a l l a 2 ] After being freed from a prison camp, Akseli Koskela retires away to his tenant farm, cultivating the land and bitterly trying to come to terms with the ghosts of his past. Without sparing himself, he works for the future of his children. When the day finally comes that Akseli is allowed to buy the tenant farm for himself, he imagines that everything will turn for the better, but fate has different plans in store for him. The Winter War breaks out. The Soviet Union tries to invade Finland. Although torn by civil war twenty years earlier, the Finnish nation now stands united, and the impossible happens. Despite being vastly outnumbered, the Finns stop the enemy, but at a heavy price for the entire country, and for Akseli. His two youngest sons are killed and, to Akseli s shock, his third son chooses a career in the military instead of farming the family s lands. Akseli s worst fears are realised when his eldest son also dies at the front, during the waning moments of the Continuation War. Finland keeps its independence, as does Akseli, who is now a landowner but has all of it been worth it? In Akseli s own words: What s the use of all this, if nothing remains? What s the use of Koskela (farm)? From the first push of my father s shovel into the ground, a lifetime of toiling, and in the end, nothing... Timo Koivusalo Koivusalo (b. 1963) is the managing director and owner of Artista Filmi. Since 1994 he has directed 11 feature films. He is a producer, director, writer, editor, TV host and composer. He has received several film and TV awards. His latest films include Under the North Star (Täällä Pohjantähden alla, 2009), The Leaning Tower (Kalteva torni, 2006), Sibelius (2003) and Shadow of the Eagle (Kaksipäisen kotkan varjossa, 2005). 40

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42 F I N N I S H D O C U M E N T A R Y F I L M S HDCAM 16:9 Stereo 72 Director, script: Markku Heikkinen Cinematography: Hannu Vitikainen Editing: Joona Louhivuori Sound design: Olli Huhtanen Music: Tobias Wilner Producer: Cilla Werning Production company: Kinotar Oy Co-producer: Bullitt Film (DK) Production support: The Finnish Film Foundation, DFI, NFTF Financing TV companies: YLE, DR (DK) International sales: First Hand Films All Boys [ P o i k i e n b i s n e s ] All Boys looks at the social and individual impact of the boy porn industry. It shows men in Europe s boy porn business struggling with commerciality and the passing beauty of youth, poverty and the loneliness of gay consumers. Gay porn is the fastest growing segment of the entertainment business. The film consists of complementing episodes that expose the production chain of East European boy porn. Where do the porn boys come from originally, and how do they work? It is the poor, uneducated, unemployed young men without strong family ties or social networks who drift into the porn industry and its foster care. For some it offers survival and peers in the porn community, at least for a while but in many cases the quick, easy money comes at a high cost in the long run. For consumers porn is mainly entertainment, but it may often also serve to alleviate the same wounds, the same loneliness, as in the production side of the business. It is an exploitation of the lonely on all sides. Markku Heikkinen Raised in Kainuu and brought to Helsinki by the railway, Markku Heikkinen is a documentary film maker and radio reporter. He has completed an M.A. at the Department of Film at the University of Art and Design Helsinki. He has made documentary films and programmes since 1993 and worked as a freelance radio reporter for the Finnish Broadcasting Company YLE s different channels since

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44 F I N N I S H D O C U M E N T A R Y F I L M S HDV 16:9 90 Director, script: Pekka Uotila, Heikki Partanen Cinematography: Pekka Uotila Editing: Kimmo Kohtamäki Sound design: Heikki Partanen Music: Mauri Sumén Producer: Heikki Partanen Production company: Alppiharjun Elokuva Oy Production support: The Finnish Film Foundation Financing TV company: YLE TV1 Arabian Shores [ A r a b i a n r a n t a ] Arabian Shores is a film about the birth of a community in a new residential area and about people in pursuit of their dreams. Shooting for the film began in 2000 and continued until the end of This nine-year period will give birth to a film in which Arabian Shores emerges from an empty wasteland into a community with an identity of its own a spirit of us Arabians. The focus of the film will be on how the residents and the laws governing the birth of an urban community together lay a foundation for the future and for man s quest for the Good Life. Pekka Uotila Pekka Uotila (b. 1958) has graduated from the Department of Film at the University of Art and Design Helsinki in He is a film industry professional specialising in cinematography, and works as a cinematographer and film director. Uotila has worked as the chief cinematographer in over twenty documentary films, four fiction feature films that have been distributed to theatres and several TV dramas of different types. He has also directed documentary films. HT Partanen HT Partanen (b. 1949) has directed 16 documentary films and produced approximately

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46 F I N N I S H D O C U M E N T A R Y F I L M S HDCAM 16:9 5.1 Stereo 78 Auf Wiedersehen Finnland Director, script: Virpi Suutari Cinematography: Heikki Färm Editing: Jukka Nykänen Sound design: Olli Huhtanen Music: Pekka Kuusisto, Johanna Juhola Producer: Cilla Werning Production company: For Real Productions Oy Production support: The Finnish Film Foundation, AVEK, MEDIA Programme Financing TV companies: YLE Co-productions, ARTE Auf Wiedersehen Finnland is an intimate documentary about young Finnish women who left Finland after the Lapland War broke out in September 1944 and moved to Germany with the retreating German soldiers. Most of the women returned to Finland during 1948, and they were interrogated as potential spies. Once at home, the women faced mockery and ridicule or total silence surrounding their stay in Germany. Children fathered by German soldiers, especially, were treated cruelly for decades. The women, now in their 80s, and their children are the main characters in this documentary. The film portrays the sometimes agonizing struggle of the elderly women; the women are trying to explain their past to themselves and to their loved ones. In the film, alongside with the women s stories, we ll see shots of collapsed Germany, filmed in colour by American soldiers in Filled with black humour, this film is a poetic portrayal of young people who went on an adventure towards the unknown. It s a story of feeling like an orphan and the need to be loved. We ll see mothers and their children while being given the opportunity to ask ourselves whether a reconciliation is possible. Virpi Suutari Suutari (b. 1967) has written and directed a number of internationally awarded documentary films with her colleague Susanna Helke; their films include, among others, Sin Documentary about Everyday Crimes (Synti, 1995), The White Sky (Valkoinen taivas, 1998), The Idle Ones (Joutilaat, 2001) and Along the Road Little Child (Pitkin tietä pieni lapsi, 2005). Suutari became a member of the European Film Academy in Photo: Virpi Suutari 46

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48 F I N N I S H D O C U M E N T A R Y F I L M S mm, Digibeta 16:9 Stereo 86 / 52 Director, script: Mika Ronkainen Cinematography: Vesa Taipaleenmäki Editor: Anders Villadsen Sound design: Esa Nissi Music: Samuli Putro, Ahti Marja-aho Producers: Mika Ronkainen, Kimmo Paananen Production company: Klaffi Productions Co-producer: Prounen Film / Michael Trabitzsch Production support: The Finnish Film Foundation, NFTF, AVEK, POEM Financing TV companies: YLE Co-Productions, TV2 Norway, NDR, ARTE Freetime Machos A documentary about the most northern and third worst rugby club in the world. A touching comedy about men lost somewhere between a hobby, home, and work. A true and manly love story. Mika Ronkainen Mika Ronkainen s (born 1970) work includes the prize-winning and acclaimed documentaries Screaming Men (Huutajat, Best Nordic Documentary 2003, selected for Sundance 2004), Our Summer (Meän kesä, 2004), and Car Bonus (Autobonus, 2001). Works also as a producer, editor and composer. Co-founder of Air Guitar World Championships. Apart from gardening, Ronkainen doesn t have any physical hobbies. Photo: Pekka Fali 48

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50 F I N N I S H D O C U M E N T A R Y F I L M S Digibeta, HDCAM 16:9 Stereo ~70 Directors, script: Pasi Riiali, Mikko Peltonen Cinematography: Pasi Riiali, Jukka Koskinen, Kimmo Yläkäs, Mikko Peltonen, Raimo Uunila Editing: Jari Heikkinen, Pasi Riiali, Mikko Peltonen Sound design: Janne Jankeri Music: Kaapo Huttunen Producer: Pasi Riiali Production company: Mediatehdas Dakar Oy Production support: The Finnish Film Foundation, AVEK Financing TV company: YLE TV2 Home Dreams [ S u o m e a r a k e n t a m a s s a ] Throughout time, Finns have built their own houses. At the moment, thousands of families are building their homes. Home Dreams portrays the house-building process in today s Finland. The film follows people from the moment they reserve a piece of land until the day they move into their new house. The Särkiniemi family is building their house by themselves. The family consists of a father, a mother and two small children. For the last two years, the family has spent all their free time on their dream of a new home. How does the family hold up under the mental pressure caused by finances and the environment they live in? Pentti Kyllönen is a businessman. He builds homes for others. His business is going well until the recession hits Finland in the middle of a building process. Home Dreams is a film that should be seen by everyone who s ever wanted to build a house. Pasi Riiali & Mikko Peltonen Pasi Riiali graduated from the Tornio College of Art and Media. He is a producer-director at Mediatehdas Dakar. Mikko Peltonen graduated from the University of Jyväskylä. He works as a director-producer at Filmstone. The directors have been working together for a decade. Their first film, a documentary titled The Campaign (Vaalitaisto, 2005), was liked by both audiences and film festival juries. 50

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52 F I N N I S H D O C U M E N T A R Y F I L M S DVD, Digibeta, Digital Cinema print 16:9 Dolby Stereo 90 Director: Pekka Lehto Script: Beatrix A. Wood, Pekka Lehto Cinematography: Kasimir Lehto, Teppo Högman Editing: Jussi Rautaniemi Sound design: Joakim Nyström Music: Lasse Enersen Producer: Pauli Pentti Production company: First Floor Productions Production support: The Finnish Film Foundation, AVEK Financing TV company: YLE TV2 In the Shadow of a Doubt [ E p ä i l y k s e n v a r j o s s a e l o k u v a A l p o R u s i s t a ] In the Shadow of a Doubt is a documentary film about what happens when people try to find a crime for the accused instead of looking for the accused for a crime. The main character in the film is Alpo Rusi, a Finnish diplomat and former presidential adviser. The film is based on Rusi s personal experiences and writings as well as on investigative material gathered by his supporters. In the Shadow of a Doubt sheds light on the preliminary investigation carried out by the Finnish Security Police, the different phases of the public witch hunt that followed and interpretations of what happened. The film takes a close look at the memory and the recent history of our country, at guilt and shame and at a constitutional state and its political elite. Pekka Lehto Pekka Lehto has directed the documentary films Brothers of the Forest (V.O.I.T.K.A. metsän veljet, 2004), The Real McCoy (1998), Boy Hero 001 (1997), The Temple (Temppeli, 1991), Alone (Yksinteoin, 1991), Nine Ways to Approach Helsinki (Yhdeksän tapaa lähestyä Helsinkiä, 1982), Swastika (Vaaran merkki, 1978) and Their Age (Ikäluokka, 1976). His films have won many prizes, and they have been broadcast internationally and released theatrically. He has also directed the feature films Game Over (2005), Tango Cabaret (Tango Kabaree, 2001), The Well (Kaivo, 1992), Da Capo (1985), 250 Grammes (250 grammaa, 1983), Flame Top (Tulipää, 1980) and The First Co-operative 39 (Kainuu 39, 1979). 52