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

2 F I N N I S H F E A T U R E F I L M S

3 Contents Feature Films Blackout 4 Falling Angels 6 Forbidden Fruit 8 Ground Under Water (working title) 10 Hellsinki 12 House of Branching Love, The 14 Last Cowboy Standing 16 Letters to Father Jacob 18 Niko & The Way to the Stars 20 Novelist, The 22 One Foot Under 24 Playground 26 Rally On! 28 Sauna 30 Sisters Apart 32 Stormheart 34 Subtenant, The 36 Tears of April 38 Three Wise Men 40 Twisted Roots 42 Under the North Star 44 Visitor, The 46 Feature Length Documentaries All Boys 48 Arabian Shores 50 Earth Evocation 52 Generation 54 Helsinki, Forever 56 Ito A Diary of a City Priest 58 Living Room of the Nation, The 60 Magnetic Man, The 62 Rebels with a Cause 64 Recipes for Disaster 66 Volga, Volga 68 Within Limits 70 Top 20 Films in Finland Domestic Films Facts in Figures 74 Finnish Feature Films Film Festivals in Finland International Sales Companies 79 Useful Addresses 80 Distributors in Finland 82 Producers 84

4 F I N N I S H F E A T U R E F I L M S mm, also available in digital cinema prints 1:2,35 Dolby digital 107 Premiere: December 26, 2008 Director, script: JP Siili Cinematography: Jarkko T. Laine Editing: Jyrki Levä Sound design: Juha Hakanen Music: Lauri Ylönen Set design: Päivi Kettunen Costumes: Helena Paavilainen-Takala Cast: Petteri Summanen, Jenni Banerjee, Irina Björklund, Mikko Leppilampi, Mari Perankoski, Mikko Kouki, Lena Meriläinen, Ismo Kallio Producer: Olli Haikka Production company: Filmiteollisuus Fine Production support: The Finnish Film Foundation Financing TV company: YLE Distributor in Finland: FS Film Oy Blackout The new feature film by director JP Siili tells an intense story about a top cardiac surgeon who has been in a coma for a year after being shot in the head with a nail gun. He wakes up, the nail still in his head, and recovers well but has only partial memories of his past and the shooting. The police has not discovered the shooter, so the surgeon begins to look for the perpetrator himself, fearing that he might be attacked again. JP Siili Director of three successful feature films Blackout(2008), Ganes (2007), Young Gods (Hymypoika, 2003) and an impressive amount of prizewinning television drama, including Prix Italia winner Julia s Truths (Juulian totuudet, 2002). 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, also available in digital cinema prints 1:1,85 Dolby digital 102 Premiere: December 5, 2008 Director: Heikki Kujanpää Script: Sami Parkkinen, Heikki Kujanpää, Heikki Huttu-Hiltunen Cinematography: Harri Räty Editing: Jukka Nykänen Sound design: Pietari Koskinen Music: Timo Hietala Set design: Tarja Väätänen Costumes: Riitta Röpelinen Cast: Elena Leeve, Tommi Korpela, Elina Knihtilä Producers: Petri Jokiranta, Tero Kaukomaa Production company: Blind Spot Pictures Oy Co-producer: Sandrew Metronome / Maija Kuusi Production support: The Finnish Film Foundation Financing TV company: YLE Distributor in Finland: Sandrew Metronome Distribution Finland Oy Ab Falling Angels [ P u t o a v i a e n k e l e i t ä ] Helena, the daughter of two famous writers, wants to maintain her deceased father s reputation; she recites his poems at a number of events and cherishes her legendary father s memory. Her relationship with her mother has become troublesome after her mother moved to Sweden. Helena accuses her mother for abandoning her father. Mother and daughter meet again when Helena s mental health deteriorates; in order to get well, she has to face the reality with the help of a memoir written by her mother. Helena is deeply affected by the story and imagines herself in the place of her mother. In this fascinating film, the colorful life of artists in the 1940s and 1950s and the incredible creativity of the main characters of this film are entwined with passionate love affairs and the destructive illness of the father. Together, eye to eye, the mother and the daughter face the greatest tragedy of their ragged past. Heikki Kujanpää Kujanpää has directed plays, radio plays, a TV series and an opera; he has also written plays and screenplays for films. He has worked as Kuopio City Theatre director and is one of the founding members of Q- Teatteri, one of the most significant theater companies in Finland. His short film A Small Pilgrimage (Pieni pyhiinvaellus, 2000) won e.g. the Grand Prix at the Laon Int. Film Festival for Young People and the main prize in the Finnish Competition at the Tampere Film Festival. 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 mm Cinemascope 1:2,35 Dolby digital 104 Premiere: February 13, 2009 Director: Dome Karukoski Script: Aleksi Bardy Cinematography: Tuomo Hutri F.S.C. Editing: Harri Ylönen Sound design: Mattias Eklund, Johan Isaksson Music: Adam Nordén Set design: Antti Mattila, Antti Nikkinen Costumes: Anna Vilppunen Cast: Marjut Maristo, Amanda Pilke, Joel Mäkinen, Jarkko Niemi, Olavi Uusivirta, Timo Tikka, Malla Malmivaara, Jani Volanen Producer: Aleksi Bardy Production company: Helsinki -filmi Oy Co-producer: Martin Persson / Anagram Produktion AB Production support: The Finnish Film Foundation, Svenska Filminstitutet, NFTF, Kirkon mediasäätiö, Media+ Financing TV company: YLE Distributor in Finland: Sandrew Metronome Distribution Finland Oy Ab Forbidden Fruit [ K i e l l e t t y h e d e l m ä ] Two 18-year-old girls from a Christian fundamentalist community flee to the city for a summer job. Maria wants to see what the world is like before going back home and getting married to a boy from the same community. She wants to try out things that are forbidden at home: music, make up and kissing boys and dancing. Raakel, the other girl, is less adventurous and only wants to make sure Maria does return. The summer of temptations changes the life of one of the girls for good. Dome Karukoski Dome Karukoski (born 1976 in Cyprus) moved to Finland from Cyprus when he was 5. His mother is a Finnish journalist and his father an American actor. He is bilingual in Swedish and Finnish. His debute feature was Beauty and the Bastard (Tyttö sinä olet tähti, 2005); it was also Karukoski s graduation film from the University of Art and Design Helsinki. The Home of Dark Butterflies (Tummien perhosten koti, 2008) was chosen as Finland s entry for the Oscars. 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 1:1,85 Dolby digital 85 Premiere: January 23, 2009 Director: Lenka Hellstedt Script: Lenka Hellstedt, based on a novel by Riikka Ala-Harja Cinematography: Mark Stubbs F.S.C. Editing: Kimmo Taavila Sound design: Olli Huhtanen Music: Anna-Mari Kähärä Set design: Saara Joro Costumes: Titta Kettunen Cast: Amira Khalifa, Matti Ristinen, Marja Packalén, Leena Uotila, Jarkko Niemi, Annika Ernst, Ismail Sahin Producers: Mika Ritalahti, Niko Ritalahti Production company: Silva Mysterium Oy Associate-producer: Roshanak Behesht Nedjad / Flying Moon Filmproduktion GmbH, Berlin Production support: The Finnish Film Foundation Financing TV company: YLE TV1 Distributor in Finland: Sandrew Metronome Distribution Finland Oy Ab Ground Under Water (working title) [ M a a t a m e r e n a l l a ] The film tells the story of Ida who was adopted from Africa to Finland when she was a child. Ida is an unemployed seamstress and living in the spare room of her activist mother Kati s house. They live in a small Finnish village which does not seem to offer much for young adults. Kati feels an urge to fix Ida s life, but Ida wants to be more independent. Encouraged by her friend Ville, Ida sets out for Berlin in order to seek a job and to prove to her mother that she can manage on her own. Ida s search for life is spiced with miracles and drama, not to mention some love. Ground Under Water (working title) is a realistic drama about growing up and about the relationship between parents and children. It deals with the universal feelings that we all are familiar with, regardless of our gender, generation and place. It is a cheerful story that will touch everyone. Lenka Hellstedt Lenka Hellstedt studied directing and scriptwriting at the University of Art and Design Helsinki. Her graduation short film was The Spectacular Life of Stonecutter s Charming Yolanda (Sepelimurskaamon kauniin Jolantan ihmeellinen elämä, 1996). She has directed several TV films (The Boat / Paatti, 1993; Who Will Comfort Viivi? / Kuka lohduttaisi Viiviä? 2001), and her first feature film Me and Morrison (Minä ja Morrison, 2001) was a big commercial success. She also works as a director for a number of TV series. 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, also available in digital cinema prints 2,35:1 Dolby digital 133 Premiere: January 9, 2009 Director: Aleksi Mäkelä Script: Marko Leino Cinematography: Pini Hellstedt F.S.C. Editing: Kimmo Taavila Sound design: Jyrki Rahkonen Music: Kalle Chydenius Set design: Pirjo Rossi Costumes: Tiina Kaukanen Cast: Samuli Edelmann, Peter Franzén, Kari Hietalahti, Pihla Viitala, Juha Veijonen, Jasper Pääkkönen, Pekka Valkeejärvi, Hiski Grönstrand, Tommi Rantamäki, Kristo Salminen Producers: Markus Selin, Jukka Helle Production company: Solar Films Inc. Production support: The Finnish Film Foundation Financing TV company: MTV3 Distributor in Finland: Nordisk Film Theatrical Distribution Oy International sales: TrustNordisk Hellsinki [ R ö ö p e r i ] Happiness, jail or the grave? Hellsinki is based on an interview novel describing the old days of one of the most notorious parts of Helsinki, Rööperi. The film is set between 1966 and Besides the journey of Tomppa and Krisu, the main characters of the film, Hellsinki tells the story of Gypsy Kari, Arska, Biscuit, Uki and a bunch of other bad boys and criminals; it tells of their memorable and unscrupulous journey from crime and poverty to becoming respectable citizens, going to jail or dying too young. The wrong side of the law is seen through the eyes of a local police officer. The guys, who fall into a life of crime, have one thing in common: they all start by bootlegging, being sure money is an answer to all their problems. Money is a way to happiness and their modest dreams. They can stop doing criminal business as soon as they get enough money. But when the guys start making more money with black-market booze, their hunger and their dreams grow bigger. Even though the reality Rööperi is portrayed as rather rugged and rotten, we can see both warmth and humor in the characters walking the streets of Rööperi; these qualities will make the audience love them. The audience will cry and laugh with them and for them. Aleksi Mäkelä A self-taught movie director, Mäkelä (b. 1969) is the most successful modern-era Finnish director: the total domestic audience of his movies in theatrical release is over 2 million. His previous works include V2 Dead Angel (V2 Jäätynyt enkeli, 2007), Matti Hell is for Heroes (Matti, 2006), Vares Private Eye (Vares, 2004), Bad Boys A True Story (Pahat pojat, 2003), The South (Lomalla, 2000), The Tough Ones (Häjyt, 1999), Sunset Riders (Esa ja Vesa Auringonlaskun ratsastajat, 1994) and The Romanov Stones (Romanovin kivet, 1993). 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 / Digibeta / HDcam 1:2,35 Dolby digital ~110 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 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. Mika has since directed films all around the world with international cast and crew. His work includes, for example, the fictional films The Worthless (Arvottomat, 1982), Rosso (1985), Helsinki Napoli All Night Long (1987), Amazon (1990), Zombie and the Ghost Train (Zombie ja kummitusjuna, 1991), 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), Sound of Brazil (Moro no Brasil, 2002), Brasileirinho (2005) and Sonic Mirror (2007). In 2008, after 17 years of not filming in Finland, Mika directed two Finnish fictional films, Three Wise Men (Kolme viisasta miestä, 2008) and The House of Branching Love. 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 :2,35 (Cinemascope) Dolby Digital Premiere: October 2, 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 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. 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 / Digibeta / Beta SP Cinemascope 1:2,35 74 Premiere: Spring 2009 Director: Klaus Härö Script: Klaus Härö, based on original idea by Jaana Makkonen Cinematography: Tuomo Hutri Editing: Samu Heikkilä Sound design: Kirka Sainio Music: Dani Störmbäck Set design: Kaisa Mäkinen Costumes: Sari Suominen Cast: Kaarina Hazard, Heikki Nousiainen, Jukka Keinonen, Esko Roine Producers: Rimbo Salomaa, Lasse Saarinen Production company: Kinotar Oy Production support: The Finnish Film Foundation, NFTF, Kirkon Mediasäätiö Financing TV companies: YLE, SVT Distributor in Finland: Nordisk Film Theatrical Distribution Oy Letters to Father Jacob [ P o s t i a p a p p i J a a k o b i l l e ] Letters to Father Jacob is a warm-hearted and touching story of Leila, a life sentence prisoner who has just been pardoned. When she is released from prison, she is offered a job at a secluded parsonage; she moves there against her will. Leila is used to taking care only of herself, so she experiences conflicting feelings when she starts working as the personal assistant for Jacob, the blind pastor living in the parsonage. Every day the mail man brings letters from people asking for help from pastor Jacob. Answering the letters is Jacob s life mission, while Leila thinks it s useless. Leila has already decided to leave the parsonage when the letters suddenly stop coming. Jacob s life is shaken to its foundation. Two completely different lives are intertwined unexpectedly, and the roles of the helper and the one being helped are turned upside down. Klaus Härö Klaus Härö s previous feature films are 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 in Finland and Sweden. In 2003 he was awarded the Ingmar Bergman prize; the winner of the award is chosen by Ingmar Bergman himself. Härö s first two features were chosen to represent Finland in the best foreign film category at the Oscars. Photo: Jolle Onnismaa 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 16:9 Dolby Digital Premiere: October 10, 2008 Directors: Michael Hegner, Kari Juusonen Script: Hannu Tuomainen, Marteinn Thorisson Editing: Per Risanger Music: Stephen Mckeon Producers: Petteri Pasanen, Hannu Tuomainen Production companies: Anima Vitae & Cinemaker Oy Co-producers: Ulysses GmbH, A. Film, Magma Films Production support: The Finnish Film Foundation, Eurimages, YLE, Nordisk Film & TV Fond, MEDIA Plus, Hamburg Film Fund, ZDF (TV Germany), Danish Film Institute, DR TV2 (TV Denmark), Irish Filmboard, Section 481, Telepool Financing TV companies: YLE, TV 2 Denmark, ZDF Distributor in Finland: Nordisk Film Theatrical Distribution Oy International sales: Telepool Niko & The Way to the Stars [ N i k o l e n t ä j ä n p o i k a ] Niko & The Way to the Stars is an adventure tale about a young reindeer boy s quest to find and save his absent father, whom he believes to be a member of the world-famous Santa s Elite Flying Forces. One day, right outside his home valley, Niko is rehearsing flying with Julius, his best friend and mentor, an old flying squirrel, and his potential girlfriend Saga. A gang of wolves finds them, and Niko saves his friends by taking them to his home herd. However, the ruthless Black Wolf follows them, and the herd must escape from their valley. Niko blames himself for the incident and sets out to find his flying hero dad who he has never met and to find a new home at his place. Julius decides to help his friend, even though nobody knows where Santa lives. Soon Niko finds out that the Black Wolf is planning to destroy the Flying Forces and replace them with his own gang. With help from a wild weasel girl Wilma, Niko and Julius try to warn the flyers before the wolves attack. However, the final fight is not the one with the wolves but inside Niko s heart after meeting his biological dad: Niko has to find his own place between two different worlds. Michael Hegner Michael Hegner s (b in Denmark) work as feature film director includes Help! I m a Fish (2000, together with Stefan Fjeldmark) and The Ugly Duckling and Me (2006, with Karsten Kiilerich). He is now one of the directors for A. Film s 3D department. Kari Juusonen Kari Juusonen s (b. 1967) short animation films include Pizza Passionata (2001), which won the Prix du Jury in Cannes, and The Birthday (Syntymäpäivä, 2004). Niko & The Way to the Stars is his first feature-length animation. 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 1:1,85 Dolby Digital 109 Premiere: September 26, 2008 Director: Hannu Kahakorpi Script: Elina Halttunen, based on novels by Kalle Päätalo and adaptation by Miisa Linden Cinematography: Jarkko T. Laine F.S.C. Editing: Benjamin Mercer Sound design: Seppo Vanhatalo Music: Pessi Levanto Set design: Pentti Valkeasuo Costumes: Johanna Heikkilä Cast: Kai Lehtinen, Susanna Anteroinen Producers: Marko Röhr, Asko Apajalahti, Mikko Tenhunen Production company: MRP Matila Röhr Productions Oy Production support: The Finnish Film Foundation Financing TV company: YLE Distributor in Finland: Nordisk Film Theatrical Distribution Oy International sales: TrustNordisk The Novelist [ P ä ä t a l o ] A true story of a building engineer s hard battle to leave his past behind and to become a novelist in the post-war Finland of the 50 s. Hannu Kahakorpi Hannu Kahakorpi is an actor, director, screenwriter and producer. He has directed and produced Tuntemattomalle jumalalle (1993), a TV series, and directed TV films Viisi tytärtäni (1997), Maigret ja aave (1994), Missä on suuri pohjoinen (1991) and Lumikit eli kohtauksia naisen elämästä (1986). His screenwriter credits include Onnellinen mies (1979), a TV film based on an Arto Paasilinna novel, which he also directed. One of the most extensive projects in his career is Kotikatu, a TV series he produced and developed. The TV series has been running for 13 years on Finnish television. 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 1:2,35 Dolby digital 98 Premiere: March 20, 2009 Director: Johanna Vuoksenmaa Script: Mika Ripatti, Seppo Vesiluoma Cinematography: Peter Flinckenberg Editing: Kimmo Kohtamäki Sound design: Tuomas Klaavo, Mikko Mäkelä Music: Kerkko Koskinen Set design: Christer Andersson Costumes: Niina Pasanen Cast: Tobias Zilliacus, Helena Vierikko, Susanna Anteroinen, Jarkko Pajunen, Tuomas Rinta-Panttila Producer: Riina Hyytiä Production company: Dionysos Films Oy Production support: The Finnish Film Foundation Financing TV company: YLE Distributor in Finland: Sandrew Metronome Distribution Finland Oy Ab One Foot Under [ T o i n e n j a l k a h a u d a s t a ] Visa Vuorio is mortally sick. He is also in the middle of a crisis in his love life. By profession Visa is a gardener, and before he passes away, he wants to create the garden of his dreams. Hanna Manninen is a journalist who wants to do a series of stories on the last wishes of the dying man. While achieving his last wish with Hanna s help, Visa realizes that he has found the love of his life, but all too late. Visa is asked to come to the hospital. Instead of bad news, he hears that he is not sick after all. His test results had got mixed up with someone else s. Visa is overjoyed, but the people around him have difficulties in accepting the new situation. Harri, who is in love with Riia, Visa s partner, would very much like to look after the widow-to-be even before she is widowed. Is Hanna willing to love a man who is not dying but only a normal mortal? One Foot Under is a tear-infused romantic comedy of the limited nature of our temporal dimension. Focusing on mortality reminds us to rejoice in life. As Visa says: Isn t life too short anyway it s over in the snap of a finger and leaves you with the question: Did I make the right choices? Johanna Vuoksenmaa Johanna Vuoksenmaa (b. 1965) is a film and TV director whose work has attracted audiences with its humor, dramatic amplitude and keen psychological insight. Before One Foot Under, she directed two films for theatrical distribution (Upswing / Nousukausi, 2003; Onni von Sopanen, 2006) as well as numerous TV comedies and dramas. Upswing took three Jussi prizes (Finnish Oscars) in 2004, including Jussis of the best film and the best screenplay. Vuoksenmaa s 12-episode TV series Tahdon asia was a much-discussed event in Finland in She studied at the University of Art and Design Helsinki, majoring in screenwriting. 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 1:1,85 Dolby digital ~90 Premiere: August 4, 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. 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 Premiere: February 27, 2009 Director: Markku Pölönen Script: Arttu Käyhkö, Markku Pölönen, Heikki Silvennoinen Cinematography: Kari Sohlberg Editing: Jari Innanen Sound design: Kyösti Väntänen Music: Vesa Mäkinen, Kotiteollisuus Set design: Pete Neuvonen Costumes: Anna Sinkkonen Cast: Heikki Silvennoinen, Satu Silvo, Olavi Uusivirta, Laura Birn, Peter Franzén, Tom Petäjä, Mika Nuojua, Antti Virmavirta, Kai Hyttinen, Eeva Litmanen, Heikki Nousiainen Producers: Satu Sadinkangas, Jukka Karttunen Production company: Suomen Filmiteollisuus SF Financing TV company: MTV 3 Distributor in Finland: Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Finland Rally On! [ R a l l i r a i t a 1 ] A former top co-driver, Seppo Sladi Pesonen, is a bored driving school teacher and the driving force behind Team Susan, a rally team based at Pekkarinen s Garage. Life at the garage changes when Luumu, Sladi s nephew from Helsinki, is sent to the peaceful countryside. He is crazy about cars, and with the help of Suko, the mechanic of the team, he quickly finds his place in Team Susan. Pekkarinen s garage is located on a lot owned by Torppo, a car dealer and Pekkarinen s worst enemy, and Torppo Junior intends to hike Pekkarinen s rent and force him to move right before the Rally Triathlon, an important rally event. Sladi, however, manages to lure Torppo Junior into betting on Team Susan. The Rally Triathlon is a question of life and death for Team Susan. Everything is going well, until Stumppi, the team s top driver and a well-known asshole, drives off the road. Sladi has no other option but let Luumu drive the car. Sladi finds out that Luumu s driving skills are better than he had imagined. However, Team Susan s car breaks down, and the team finds out they have become victims of sabotage. Team Torppo is the culprit. The last stretch of the triathlon is the crucial one, and it is not looking good for Team Susan. Sladi can t think of anything else except a sweet woman named Sirkku, and Luumu is experiencing heart ache thanks to Aija, Torppo s daughter. Will the famous pair of the Pesonen family be able to keep their mind on the road and their emotions under control... Of course they will!! Markku Pölönen Pölönen (b. 1957) has directed the feature films The Last Wedding (Kivenpyörittäjän kylä, 1995), A Summer by the River (Kuningasjätkä, 1998), Badding (2000), On the Road to Emmaus (Emmauksen tiellä, 2001), Dog Nail Clipper (Koirankynnen leikkaaja, 2004) and The Matriarch (Lieksa!, 2007), and several shorts and films for TV. 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 2,35:1 85 Premiere: October 24, 2008 Director: AJ Annila Script: Iiro Küttner Cinematography: Henri Blomberg Editing: Joona Louhivuori Sound design: Panu Riikonen, Vesa Meriläinen Set design: Vladimir Bedrich Dvorak, Antti Nikkinen, Ville Vauras Costumes: Anna Vilppunen Cast: Ville Virtanen, Tommi Eronen, Viktor Klimenko, Kari Ketonen, Rain Tolk Producers: Jesse Fryckman, Tero Kaukomaa Production company: Bronson Club Oy Production support: The Finnish Film Foundation Financing TV company: YLE Co-productions Distributor in Finland: Sandrew Metronome Distribution Finland Oy Ab Sauna A cruel horror film bathing in the Finnish sauna culture, in the no-zone between Christianity and paganism. Year The long war is finally over. Brothers Knut and Erik, members of a commission marking the border between Finland and Russia, commit a terrible sin when they leave a young girl to die a horrible death. As the commission crosses an uncharted swamp, the girl returns to haunt them, her face pouring endless filth. The weary men find solace in a nameless village and find a sauna a sauna where all sins are washed away. Seeking forgiveness, the brothers step in... Sauna is a horror film about sins and repentance. The story leads us into the core of darkness where there is no hope, no salvation. AJ Annila Sauna is AJ s second feature film. He debuted as a director with Jade Warrior (Jadesoturi, 2006, Finland- China-The Netherlands-Estonia), an international co-production that combined Finnish mythology with kung fu. In his childhood, AJ was a son of Tarzan, and when he grows up, he will become a ninja.

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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 1:2,35 (Cinemascope) Dolby digital 101 Premiere: September 5, 2008 Director: Hanna Maylett Script: Tarja Kylmä Cinematography: Jyri Hakala Editing: Kimmo Kohtamäki Sound design: Janne Laine Music: Sanna Salmenkallio Set design: Markku Pätilä Costumes: Karoliina Koiso-Kanttila Cast: Minna Haapkylä, Tiina Lymi, Jorma Tommila, Kaneli Johansson Producers: Lasse Saarinen, Risto Salomaa Production company: Kinotar Production support: The Finnish Film Foundation Financing TV company: YLE TV1 Distributor in Finland: Nordisk Film Theatrical Distribution Oy International sales: TrustNordisk Sisters Apart [ E r o t t a m a t t o m a t ] Taru (35) lives a harmonic life on a horse farm with her husband Harri (40) and stepdaughter Ninni (13). Everything changes when Ninni is injured in a horse accident. Taru asks Ninni s biological mother Eve (33), who has moved to Sweden ten years ago, to come back and see her daughter. Eve s short visit turns into a longer stay when Eve realizes that she wants those lost ten years of her life back. Longing for her daughter Ninni rises to the surface. Taru s former life has been based on safety and routines and on being a family with Ninni and Harri. Step by step, Eve starts to get foothold in the family, and Taru, who is pregnant with her first own child, loses control of her life. Guilt and memories, anger and neediness, rise from the past. Taru has to question everything that has seemed whole and in control. All the things that have been hidden during the past ten years have to be settled, and all the main characters have to search for their own place in a new situation. Hanna Maylett Hanna Maylett (b. Miettinen 1973) is one of the new very talented female directors in Finland. She has directed TV series and several short and documentary films, such as Suburban Virgin (Espoon viimeinen neitsyt, 2003), Good Girls (Kiltit tytöt, 2000), which won a prize in the Finnish competition at Tampere Film Festival, 100 Clocks (100 kelloa, 1998), which won Prix Europa Young Europe Encouragement award in Berlin and was selected for IDFA, and The Rose of the Railroad (Ratapenkan ruusu, 1996), which was selected for Cinéfondation (Festival de Cannes). 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, also available in digital cinema prints 1:1,85 Dolby digital Premiere: August 15, 2008 Director: Kaisa Rastimo Script: Kaisa Rastimo, Marko Rauhala, based on the original idea by Marko Rauhala Cinematography: Tuomo Virtanen Editing: Antony Bentley Sound design: Pietari Koskinen Music: Iiro Ollila Set design: Katriina Ilmaranta Costumes: Mariella Rauhala Cast: Ronja Arvilommi, Laura Malmivaara, Janne Virtanen, Sara Tammela, Antti Väre Producers: Antti-Veikko Salo, Pekka Levola Production company: Stormheart Oy Ltd. Production support: The Finnish Film Foundation Financing TV company: YLE Distributor in Finland: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Finland Stormheart [ M y r s k y ] The father of a Finnish family visiting the crumbling Berlin Wall rescues a cute puppy, Stormheart, and takes him back to Finland as a pet for his daughters. No one in the family knows anything about the dog, not even its breed. Little by little, the mystery of Stormheart unravels, and the dog s new owners learn more about him. They find out that Stormheart s parents had served as guard dogs at the Berlin Wall. In the film, drama, comedy and tragedy are created by the mere breed-typical behaviour of the Caucasian Shepherd. Pearl, the 7-year-old daughter of the Finnish family, takes the puppy under her wing. In the care of the tender-hearted family, trained only by little Pearl, Stormheart grows up with no rules or boundaries. In six months, the dog that has grown up to the size of a bear undertakes the task of removing all dangers, threats and obstacles from the path of Pearl, his little protégé. And Pearl, in return, loves Stormheart unconditionally. Stormheart is based on real life events. It is a film for all people who love animals. Kaisa Rastimo Kaisa Rastimo (b. 1961) has worked as a director and screenwriter. All of her films have been awarded prizes at home and abroad. In 2003 she received the prestigious Finland Prize for her career as film director. Hayflower and Quiltshoe (Heinähattu ja Vilttitossu, 2002) was a major box office success in Finland, and it has also been theatrically distributed in Japan. The film has been awarded prizes at many festivals. Her latest Film, Stormheart (2008) has also raised significant interest outside of Finland. 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, also available in digital cinema prints 1,85:1 Dolby digital 104 Premiere: September 12, 2008 Director: Matti Grönberg Script: Timo Kahilainen, Heikki Vihinen Cinematography: Jari Mutikainen F.S.C. Editing: Kimmo Taavila Sound design: Seppo Vanhatalo Music: Kummelit (Kummeli Group) Set design: Sattva-Hanna Toiviainen Costumes: Jaana Aro Cast: Mikko Kivinen, Heikki Silvennoinen, Timo Kahilainen, Heikki Hela, Tuija Ernamo, Oiva Lohtander, Ritva Jalonen Producers: Markus Selin, Jukka Helle Production company: Solar Films Inc. Co-producer: Porkkana Ryhmä Production support: The Finnish Film Foundation Financing TV company: YLE Distributor in Finland: Nordisk Film Theatrical Distribution Oy International sales: TrustNordisk The Subtenant [ K u m m e l i A l i v u o k r a l a i n e n ] Lauri Mustonen, kidney transplant surgeon, and Pauli Bergström, insect researcher, are housemates at a prestigious address. Their home is owned by an elderly lady, Lydia Molotova, who hasn t raised the rent for years. Complications erupt when Lydia hands the property over to her nephew as advance inheritance. Master Sergeant John Molotov, a greedy heir, instantly hikes the rent into the stratosphere and, as an added bonus, shoves his old aunt into residence with her erstwhile tenants: the kidney cutter and the insectologist. It s an edgy situation but the two bachelors decide to follow Lydia s advice and sublet a bedroom to help cover costs with hilarious results. The Subtenant is a farce about blackmailing, a kidney transplant operation performed at home, deviants and human relationships. The plot, which piles absurdity upon the absurd, hurtles the characters from one disaster to another with the speed and panache that is the trademark of the most popular ensemble of comedians in Finland; the Kummeli Group. Matti Grönberg A well-established professional in his field, Matti Tapani Grönberg (b. 1957) has over 20 years of experience in TV as producer and director. He has worked with entertainment, drama, children s programs, music and sports. Grönberg has directed and produced hundreds of hours of entertainment for YLE Finnish Broadcasting Company. His work includes both single-camera and multi-camera directing; he has directed large-scale galas, events, concerts and live broadcasts and worked as post-production producer on a number of projects. The Subtenant is the third Kummeli feature film that he has directed. 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 Cinemascope 1:2.35 Dolby digital 116 Premiere: 29 August, 2008 Director: Aku Louhimies Script: Jari Rantala Cinematography: Rauno Ronkainen Editing: Ben Mercer Sound design: Kirka Sainio Music: Pessi Levanto Set design: Markku Pätilä Costumes: Tiina Kaukanen Cast: Pihla Viitala, Samuli Vauramo, Eero Aho Producer: Aleksi Bardy Production company: Helsinki -filmi Oy Co-producers: George Charalambides, Christine Ioannou & Nicholas Moutselos / Two Thirtyfive 235, Greece; Christoph Thoke & Axel Moebius / Mogador Film, Germany; Aku Louhimies Production support: The Finnish Film Foundation Financing TV company: YLE TV1 Distributor in Finland: FS Film Oy Tears of April [ K ä s k y ] It is 1918, and the Civil War is raging in Finland; the Social-Democratic Reds are fighting the Senate-supported Whites. Private Aaro Harjula returns from Germany and joins the non-socialist Whites. He is shocked to see how the Whites treat the defeated, rebellious Reds. He witnesses Red female soldiers being group-raped and executed without a trial. One of the women escapes execution, and Harjula decides to take her to a nearby military tribunal. When Harjula is transporting his prisoner in a rowboat, she tries to escape, causing the rowboat to capsize. Both Harjula and the female prisoner are forced to swim to a desolate island. On the island, her anger gradually dissipates, and a strange friendship between the two develops. They are rescued by a fishing boat and transported to the mainland. Harjula believes it would be best to take her to the court where a good judge will surely make a just decision. But in the end Harjula must make a decision that will be unlawful and against the orders given to him he must follow his heart. He wants to save Miina from death by any means necessary. Aku Louhimies Aku Louhimies is one of Finland s best-known directors. His first two feature films, Restless (Levottomat, 2000) and Lovers and Leavers (Kuutamolla, 2002), were both box office hits in Finland. Louhimies was named Director of the Year in His third feature Frozen Land (Paha maa, 2005) won several important international prizes. In 2006 Louhimies directed two films: Man Exposed (Riisuttu mies) and Frozen City (Valkoinen kaupunki). 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 / Digibeta / HDcam 1:1,85 Dolby digital 98 Premiere: November 14, 2008 Director, editing: Mika Kaurismäki Script: Mika Kaurismäki, Petri Karra Cinematography: Rauno Ronkainen Sound design: Joonas Jyrälä, Miia Nevalainen Cast: Kari Heiskanen, Pertti Sveholm, Timo Torikka, Irina Björklund, Tommi Eronen Producer: Mika Kaurismäki Production company: Marianna Films Oy Production support: The Finnish Film Foundation Financing TV company: YLE Distributor in Finland: FS Film Oy International sales: Wide Management Three Wise Men [ K o l m e v i i s a s t a m i e s t ä ] Matti (51), a police inspector, Erkki (51), photographer, and Rauno (51), actor, are childhood friends who haven t seen each other for a long time. They meet accidentally on Christmas Eve in Helsinki and spend the night together in a karaoke bar. Between drinking and singing, they tell about the joys and sorrows of their lives, revealing some painful experiences and even tearing their friendship apart. The events take a dramatic turn when a mysterious woman enters the bar. 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. Mika has since directed films all around the world with international cast and crew. His work includes, for example, the fictional films The Worthless (Arvottomat, 1982), Rosso (1985), Helsinki Napoli All Night Long (1987), Amazon (1990), Zombie and the Ghost Train (Zombie ja kummitusjuna, 1991), 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), Sound of Brazil (Moro no Brasil, 2002), Brasileirinho (2005) and Sonic Mirror (2007). In 2008, after 17 years of not filming in Finland, Mika directed two Finnish fictional films, Three Wise Men and The House of Branching Love (Haarautuvan rakkauden talo, 2008). 40

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42 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 ~95 Premiere: September 18, 2008 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 hereditary illness. 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. 42

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44 F I N N I S H F E A T U R E F I L M S mm, also available in digital cinema prints 1:1,85 Dolby digital ~180 Premiere: December 18, 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 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, Niko Saarela 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 9 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 44

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46 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 139 Premiere: January 30, 2009 Director: J-P Valkeapää Script: J-P Valkeapää, Jan Forsström Cinematography: Tuomo Hutri F.S.C. Editing: Mervi Junkkonen Sound design: Micke Nyström Music: Helena Tulve Set design: Kaisa Mäkinen Costumes: Sari Suominen Cast: Pavel Liska, Vitali Bobrov, Emilia Ikäheimo, Jorma Tommila, Pauli Poranen Producer: Aleksi Bardy Production company: Helsinki -filmi Oy Co-producers: Exit Film (Estonia), Bluelight (UK), Propeller (Germany) Production support: The Finnish Film Foundation, Estonian Film Foundation, Filmstiftung Nordrhein-Westfalen, Eurimages, Nordisk Film & TV Fond Financing TV companies: YLE TV1, ZDF/ARTE Distributor in Finland: Sandrew Metronome Distribution Finland Oy International sales: Wild Bunch The Visitor [ M u u k a l a i n e n ] A young boy lives with his young mother on a farm surrounded by deep forest, in the remote wilds of the Finnish countryside. From time to time, the boy visits his father a man of great violence in prison. Locked in the stable is an unruly horse, the boy s only other companion. Their simple life is disrupted when a stranger appears, with a note from the father and a bullet in his side. Reluctantly, mother and son offer the stranger refuge. J-P Valkeapää J-P Valkeapää (born 1977) is a promising first-time film director. His short film The Fall (Keinu, 2003) has been a success at many festivals. The Visitor is Valkeapää s first feature film and his graduation film at the University of Art and Design Helsinki. 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 Digibeta 16:9 Stereo ~80 / 52 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 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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50 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