LET US CAPTURE YOUR IMAGINATION AND YOUR HEART!

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2 LET US CAPTURE YOUR IMAGINATION AND YOUR HEART! IRINA KROHN, MANAGING DIRECTOR Dear Friends. You now have in your hands our newly revamped film catalogue with our latest feature and documentary films. In recent years we have brought you a fatherless reindeer boy as well as the Nazis from the dark side of the moon. We wish to continue bringing excitement your way with our latest offerings which are as vivacious and colorful as the ever-changing seasons of Finnish nature. Lauri Maijala shows the fans of the Hangover films how it s really done the Finnish way - with his Gloriously Wasted. Matti Ijäs makes a fantastic comeback with Things We Do for Love and brings you the wickedly delicious Ansa, who makes men chase her through our impressive Arctic landscapes. Aki Kaurismäki s muse and Cannes winner Kati Outinen fights for her right to happiness in Cold-War era Europe in Taru Mäkelä s wonderfully warm August Fools. Actress extraordinaire Leea Klemola convincingly refuses to be a victim in Simo Halinen s Open Up to Me portraying an ordinary woman who just happened to be a man before, in search of her Mr. Right. Our masterful documentary filmmaker Pirjo Honkasalo returns to the fiction genre with Concrete Night, taking the art film to a whole new level. Documentary, which has long been the flagship of Finnish cinema, is staying its course as well. Susanna Helke s American Vagabond shows a harsh reality of gay teenagers in America while Aleksi Salmenperä follows a man in search of his dream along the Alcan Highway. I invite you to explore the rest of this catalogue yourself. FACTS ADMISSIONS 8,5 million BOX OFFICE 79 million euros DOMESTIC MARKET SHARE 28 % CINEMA SCREENS 280 (95 % digitized) FEATURE FILMS PRODUCED 45 (of which 14 co-productions) TOTAL SUPPORT GRANTED ,8 million EUR (by the Finnish Film Foundation) Last year the Finnish filmmakers broke domestic box office records while making films that changed the way we look at ourselves and one another. Great stories are universal and we hope that you will give ours a chance to capture your imagination and your heart! PHOTO: PAAVO LEHTONEN 2

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4 Cultural Export of Finnish Films The Finnish Film Foundation is responsible for the cultural export and international promotion of Finnish films. Our aim is to increase the visibility of Finnish films and aid their international distribution. Major international film festivals offer Finnish films an important channel to foreign markets. We aim to find the appropriate international venue for each film in order to reach its target audience. Festival distribution is complemented by Finnish film weeks organized around the world in partnership with Finnish embassies and cultural institutes. The Finnish Film Foundation participates in film markets at the Berlin, Cannes and Toronto Film Festivals together with other Nordic film institutes under the Scandinavian Films banner. To promote short and documentary films, The Nordic film institutes and the Finnish Film Foundation cooperate at the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival in France, International Documentary Film Festival (IDFA) in Amsterdam, and at the Nordisk Panorama event. The Finnish Film Foundation cooperates with AVEK - The Promotion Centre for Audiovisual Culture in the cultural export of short and documentary films. The Foundation also grants support for the international promotion of Finnish films. 4

5 CONTENTS 02 Foreword 05 Contents 06 Festival Contacts for Feature Films FEATURE FILMS 08 Ella and Friends 09 Niko 2 - Little Brother, Big Trouble 10 Rolli and the Golden Key Ways to Ruin a Marriage 12 8-Ball 13 Above Dark Waters 14 August Fools 15 Body Fat Index of Love 16 Concrete Night 17 Conversations between men 18 The Disciple 19 Gloriously Wasted 20 The Hijack That Went South 21 Kekkonen 22 Lion Heart 23 The Only Ones 24 Open Up to Me 25 A Patriotic Man 26 Princess of Egypt 27 Purge 28 Things We Do for Love 29 The Year of 85 - Rock your memories 30 Festival Contacts for Documentary Films DOCUMENTARY FILMS 32 Tale of a Forest Images of Human 34 Alcan Highway 35 American Vagabond 36 Body of God 37 Chimeras 38 Finnish Blood Swedish Heart 39 Hilton! - here for life 40 Hotel Viru - oratorio to a building 41 The King - Jari Litmanen 42 My Stuff 43 Neighbours 44 When Heroes Lie 45 Wolfman 46 Finnish Production Companies Children, Youth and Family Films 5

6 FESTIVAL CONTACTS FOR FEATURE FILMS JAANA PUSKALA HEAD OF FEATURE FILM PROMOTION MARJO PIPINEN (Until July 31, 2013) ASSISTANT OF FEATURE FILM PROMOTION marjo.pipinen@ses.fi JENNI DOMINGO (From August 1, 2013) ASSISTANT OF FEATURE FILM PROMOTION jenni.domingo@ses.fi KATI NUORA INTERNATIONAL INFORMATION kati.nuora@ses.fi

7 FEATURE FILMS 7

8 FEATURE FILMS: CHILDREN & YOUTH SNAPPER FILMS DCP 2.35:1 81 PREMIERE: DECEMBER 28, 2012 DEBUT ELLA AND FRIENDS ELLA JA KAVERIT Ella and her friends find out that their much-loved neighborhood school will be shut down and all the kids will be relocated to a brand new central school well, not simply a school but something much fancier: a Centralized Learning and Schooling Facility located in the city center. Ella and the gang decide to team up with their teacher to fight for their old school. Ella and Friends is based on Timo Parvela s popular Ella book series. DIRECTOR: TANELI MUSTONEN SCRIPT: ALEKSI HYVÄRINEN, TIMO PARVELA CINEMATOGRAPHY: DANIEL LINDHOLM EDITING: ALEKSI RAIJ SOUND DESIGN: KIMMO PERKKIÖ SET DESIGN: SARAH BOWEN-WALSH COSTUMES: HENNA SAARIVUORI CAST: EERO MILONOFF, KARI KETONEN, FREJA TEIJONSALO, ARTTURI AUVINEN, EETU JULIN, AKI LAIHO, JYRY KORTELAINEN, AURA MIKKONEN, EMILIA PAASONEN, EERIKA PATRAKKA, OLIVER KIVI, ARMI TOIVANEN, VILLE MYLLYRINNE, PAMELA TOLA, VILLE VIRTANEN, TIINA WECKSTRÖM PRODUCER: JUHA WUOLIJOKI PRODUCTION COMPANY: SNAPPER FILMS OY PRODUCTION SUPPORT: THE FINNISH FILM FOUNDATION FINANCING TV COMPANIES: MTV3 DISTRIBUTION IN FINLAND: SNAPPER FILMS OY INTERNATIONAL SALES: TBA TANELI MUSTONEN (b.1978) is a Finnish director and screenwriter. He has a Master of Arts degree of the University of Art and Design Helsinki. Ella and Friends is Taneli s first feature. He has directed music videos, awarded short films and television series. 8

9 FEATURE FILMS: CHILDREN & YOUTH ANIMAKER DCP, 35 MM 1.85:1 75 PREMIERE: OCTOBER 12, 2012 NIKO 2 - LITTLE BROTHER, BIG TROUBLE NIKO 2 - LENTÄJÄVELJEKSET Niko, a young reindeer boy, secretly wishes his mom and his hero dad from Santa s world famous Flying Forces would get back together so they could be a real family - something they have never been. One day mom springs the news on Niko; she s met a guy, an ordinary reindeer, Lenni, and he and his little son Jonni will be moving in. Niko s world is shaken: he will no longer be the only child. Furthermore, when called upon to look after this darn cute little stepbrother, Jonni goes missing and Niko must embark on a dangerous journey to save him. DIRECTOR: KARI JUUSONEN CO-DIRECTOR: JØRGEN LERDAM SCRIPT: HANNU TUOMAINEN, MARTEINN THORISSON PRODUCTION DESIGN: MIKKO PITKÄNEN EDITING: ANTTI HAIKALA ANIMATION: ANIMA VITAE, STUDIO RAKETE, A.FILM PRODUCTION, TIDAL FILMS PRODUCERS: ANTTI HAIKALA, PETTERI PASANEN, HANNU TUOMAINEN PRODUCTION COMPANY: ANIMA VITAE & CINEMAKER FOR ANIMAKER CO-PRODUCERS: ULYSSES FILMS (D), A.FILM PRODUCTION (DK), TIDAL FILMS (IE) PRODUCTION SUPPORT: FINNISH FILM FOUNDATION, EURIMAGES, GERMAN FEDERAL FILM FUND, FILMFUND, HAMBURG SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN, THE IRISH FILMBOARD, FFA, THE DANISH FILM INSTITUTE, NORDISK FILM & TV FOND, NORDMEDIA, TELEPOOL, NORDISK FILM, UNIVERSUM, ROVANIEMI TURISM & MARKETING, MEDIA PROGRAM OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY FINANCING TV COMPANIES: YLE, TV2 DENMARK DISTRIBUTOR IN FINLAND: NORDISK FILM OY INTERNATIONAL SALES: GLOBAL SCREEN KARI JUUSONEN is Finland s most successful director of animation. He directed Niko & The Way to the Stars with Michael Hegner which received over 3 million admissions in world-wide cinema distribution. Kari has also directed several animated shorts, among them the Cannes Festival winner Pizza Passionata. 9

10 FEATURE FILMS: CHILDREN & YOUTH MRP MATILA RÖHR PRODUCTIONS DCP 2.35:1 86 PREMIERE: FEBRUARY 1, 2013 ROLLI AND THE GOLDEN KEY RÖLLI JA KULTAINEN AVAIN A flock of storks fly in the misty sky, all carrying white bundles. One of the bundles falls and a little girl called Juniper ends up in a strange world. This is the beginning of a wonderful, magical adventure as the girl tries to find out who she really is and where she came from. She finally meets an old troll called Rolli who tells the girl his own, eventful story. The girl and the troll become friends and together they encounter a dangerous threat against the fairytale woods. This is a universal tale of bravery and friendship that takes its audience through exciting plot twists, circus spotlights and the splendor of the fantastic forest. DIRECTOR: TAAVI VARTIA SCRIPT: TAAVI VARTIA CINEMATOGRAPHY: JYRI HAKALA EDITING: BENJAMIN MERCER MUSIC: PESSI LEVANTO, SONGS ALLU TUPPURAINEN SOUND DESIGN: PEKKA KARJALAINEN SET DESIGN: PÄIVI KETTUNEN COSTUMES: ANNA VILPPUNEN CAST: ALLU TUPPURAINEN, MIKKO LEPPILAMPI, KRISTA KOSONEN, JARKKO NIEMI, IINA KUUSTONEN, VILLE HAAPASALO PRODUCER: MARKO RÖHR PRODUCTION COMPANY: MRP MATILA RÖHR PRODUCTIONS CO-PRODUCTION COMPANIES: CONTACT MEDIA GROUP, RUSSIA PRODUCTION SUPPORT: THE FINNISH FILM FOUNDATION, NORDIC FILM AND TV FUND FINANCING TV COMPANIES: YLE DISTRIBUTION IN FINLAND: NORDISK FILM OY INTERNATIONAL SALES: TBA TAAVI VARTIA (b. 1965) is a Finnish director, scriptwriter and author. Since 1990 Taavi Vartia has planned, directed and produced programs for all of Finland s national television channels spanning a range of genres including drama, entertainment, music, profiles and documentaries. He has been involved in the production of over 1,100 episodes. In recent years he has received recognition as a writer of young adult dramas, as a documentarian as well as in the field of theater. Vartia has published three novels. 10

11 FEATURE FILMS DIONYSOS FILMS DCP 2.35:1 92 PREMIERE: FEBRUARY 8, WAYS TO RUIN A MARRIAGE 21 TAPAA PILATA AVIOLIITTO We have someone who doesn t want to fall in love. We have another who wants just that. The third is married to the wrong woman, and the fourth is single. Soon everyone will be, if the 21 ways to ruin a marriage are put to use. DIRECTOR: JOHANNA VUOKSENMAA SCRIPT: JOHANNA VUOKSENMAA CINEMATOGRAPHY: JAN NYMAN EDITING: ANTTI REIKKO MUSIC: KERKKO KOSKINEN SOUND DESIGN: TUOMAS KLAAVO & MIKKO MÄKELÄ SET DESIGN: CHRISTER ANDERSSON COSTUMES: TIINA KAUKANEN CAST: ARMI TOIVANEN, RIKU NIEMINEN, ESSI HELLÉN, AKU HIRVINIEMI, HANNELE LAURI, VESA VIERIKKO, PAMELA TOLA PRODUCER: RIINA HYYTIÄ PRODUCTION COMPANY: DIONYSOS FILMS OY PRODUCTION SUPPORT: THE FINNISH FILM FOUNDATION FINANCING TV COMPANIES: MTV3 DISTRIBUTION IN FINLAND: NORDISK FILM OY INTERNATIONAL SALES: TBA 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 the feature 21 Ways to Ruin a Marriage she has directed three films for theatrical distribution ( One Foot Under 2009, Upswing, 2003, Onni von Sopanen, 2006) as well as numerous TV comedies and dramas. Her hugely popular Click me (2011), 12 episodes drama series, won 4 Golden Venla awards. Johanna Vuoksenmaa studied at the University of Art and Design in Helsinki, majoring in screenwriting. 11

12 FEATURE FILMS BLIND SPOT PICTURES DCP 2.39:1 107 PREMIERE: FEBRUARY 2, BALL 8-PALLO Pirkko has served her sentence in prison and now embraces freedom with her eight-month-old girl. She is determined to start over and avoid making the mistakes of her past when her ex-boyfriend shows up, re-igniting their passion but also casting shadows over the future. But Pirkko will not give up, not this time. She will hold on to her new life at any cost. DIRECTOR: AKU LOUHIMIES SCRIPT: JARI OLAVI RANTALA CINEMATOGRAPHY: MIKA ORASMAA EDITING: SAMU HEIKKILÄ SOUND DESIGN: KIRKA SAINIO SET DESIGN: PETE NEUVONEN COSTUMES: ANNE-MARIA YLITAPIO CAST: JESSICA GRABOWSKY, EERO AHO, PIRKKA-PEKKA PETELIUS, MIKKO LEPPILAMPI PRODUCER: TERO KAUKOMAA PRODUCTION COMPANY: BLIND SPOT PICTURES CO-PRODUCTION COMPANY: MJÖLK PRODUCTION SUPPORT: THE FINNISH FILM FOUNDATION FINANCING TV COMPANIES: CHANNEL FOUR FINLAND DISTRIBUTION IN FINLAND: NORDISK FILM OY INTERNATIONAL SALES: TBA AKU LOUHIMIES is an accomplished Finnish film director and screenwriter. Louhimies started his career by directing documentaries, music videos and commercials. He has now directed 8 feature films and has won several prizes around the world. 12

13 FEATURE FILMS SOLAR FILMS INC DCP 2.35:1 120 PREMIERE: SEPTEMBER 6, 2013 ABOVE DARK WATERS TUMMAN VEDEN PÄÄLLÄ DEBUT Based on the novel of the same name by actor Peter Franzén, Above Dark Waters is a touching story of growth in northern Finland. A small boy enjoys family life as usual; meals together, playing with siblings and friends. Everything seems familiar, almost idyllic. But the boy starts to hear noises at night; arguments, crying. The father disappears and the mother takes the kids to the grandparents house. The child trusts his parents unconditionally, admiring their wisdom and experience, full of hope and faith for the future. But what happens to the child when this image is shattered? When threats and fear become a daily routine? DIRECTOR: PETER FRANZÉN SCRIPT: PETER FRANZÉN CINEMATOGRAPHY: PINI HELLSTEDT F.S.C. EDITING: KIMMO TAAVILA SOUND DESIGN: JOONAS JYRÄLÄ SET DESIGN: PIRJO ROSSI COSTUMES: TIINA KAUKANEN CAST: OLAVI ANGERVO, SAMULI EDELMANN, MATLEENA KUUSKOSKI, ISMO KALLIO, MARIA PACKALÉN, MARI PERANKOSKI, PETER FRANZÉN PRODUCERS: MARKUS SELIN, JUKKA HELLE PRODUCTION COMPANY: SOLAR FILMS OY PRODUCTION SUPPORT: THE FINNISH FILM FOUNDATION FINANCING TV COMPANIES: CHANNEL FOUR FINLAND DISTRIBUTION IN FINLAND: NORDISK FILM OY PETER FRANZÉN (b. 1971) is one of the most respected Finnish actors. Franzén is a graduate of the Helsinki University of Arts. After a long career in theater he turned to cinema on both sides of the camera: as an actor he has appeared in more than 40 films and 15 TV series. He has been awarded the Jussi Award three times; for best supporting actor in King of the Lumberjacks (1998) and for best actor in Dog Nail Clipper (2004) and Hellsinki (2009). 13

14 FEATURE FILMS KINOSTO DCP 2.35:1 103 PREMIERE: OCTOBER, 2013 AUGUST FOOLS MIELETÖN ELOKUU Elsa, a middle-aged milliner and part-time clairvoyant, runs the smartest little hat-shop in the heart of Helsinki, She has total control of her life until the man she once loved and lost suddenly reappears. Jan is in town to perform at the Festival with his Czech jazz band. For more than two decades Elsa has believed the man to be dead. Initially, Elsa wants to stay away from Jan but he is persistent, persuasive and charming. DIRECTOR: TARU MÄKELÄ SCRIPT: RAIJA TALVIO CINEMATOGRAPHY: JOUKO SEPPÄLÄ EDITING: INGE-LISE LANGFELDT MUSIC: STEIN BERGE SVENDSEN SOUND DESIGN: PIETARI KOSKINEN SET DESIGN: JAN KADLÉC COSTUMES: KATARINA ŠTRBOVÁ- BIELIKOVÁ CAST: KATI OUTINEN, MIROSLAV ETZLER, ELENA LEEVE, KRYSTOF HADEK, LAURA BIRN AND ESKO SALMINEN PRODUCER: MARKKU FLINK PRODUCTION COMPANY: KINOSTO CO-PRODUCTION COMPANIES: POMOR FILM (NOR), FOG N DESIRE FILMS (CZ) PRODUCTION SUPPORT: FINNISH FILM FOUNDATION, NORWEGIAN FILM INSTITUTE, MINISTRY OF CULTURE CZECH REPUBLIC, NORDIC FILM AND TV FUND, EURIMAGES FINANCING TV COMPANIES: YLE CO-PRODUCTIONS, CZECH TELEVISION DISTRIBUTION IN FINLAND: NORDISK FILM OY INTERNATIONAL SALES: TBA TARU MÄKELÄ August Fools, the latest film from director Taru Mäkelä, continues her successful career in directing comedies and feel good films with social satire and sharp humor. Previous film Storage, an (un) romantic comedy about people in a paint store, was a box office hit in Finland in Little Sister, her first feature film, was nominated as the Finnish competitor to the contest of the best Nordic film

15 FEATURE FILMS MRP MATILA RÖHR PRODUCTIONS DCP 2.39:1 98 PREMIERE: DECEMBER 12, 2012 BODY FAT INDEX OF LOVE RAKKAUDEN RASVAPROSENTTI DEBUT Timo Stigu Mertala is a celebrated, award-winning adman, and sworn to singlehood. Ella Sadeoja is a salesperson at a department store whose longtime dream is to start her own clothing store. When they meet Stigu falls head over heels for her. But, to Stigu s surprise, all Ella wants from a relationship is good and regular sex. No commitment, not even Facebook friendship. Stigu is startled but he decides to play along. They end up working together on a project, designing an advertisement on sustainable relationships. Ella doesn t believe in the whole concept, while Stigu knows nothing about it. Deep in the Finnish heartlands at the world renowned Wife Carrying Contest Stigu sets out to have Ella all for himself at any cost. DIRECTOR: MIKKO KUPARINEN SCRIPT: LAURA IMMONEN, HANNAMAIJA MATILA CINEMATOGRAPHY: JANI KUMPULAINEN EDITING: JUKKA NYKÄNEN MUSIC: PESSI LEVANTO SOUND DESIGN: PEKKA KARJALAINEN SET DESIGN: ANTTI NIKKINEN COSTUMES: JOHANNA LEHTINEN CAST: MIKKO NOUSIAINEN, MIINA MAASOLA PRODUCER: ILKKA MATILA PRODUCTION COMPANY: MRP MATILA RÖHR PRODUCTIONS PRODUCTION SUPPORT: THE FINNISH FILM FOUNDATION, MEDIA PROGRAMME OF THE EUROPEAN UNION FINANCING TV COMPANIES: CHANNEL FOUR FINLAND, DANISH BROADCASTING CORPORATION DISTRIBUTION IN FINLAND: NORDISK FILM OY INTERNATIONAL SALES: TBA MIKKO KUPARINEN (b.1979) is an award winning debutant director from Finland. He has graduated from Helsinki Film School and his latest short films have won awards both in Finland and abroad. Mikko s graduation film Truth or Dare (2009) won 2nd prize at New York University s Next Reel Film Festival and his latest short Sirocco (2012) opened its festival circuit in competition at the Palm Springs International ShortFest. Mikko has also directed a feature length TV film Mobile Horror (2010), which was nominated for a Golden Venla Award in Finland. Body Fat Index of Love is Mikko s first feature film. 15

16 FEATURE FILMS BUFO DCP 2.39:1 90 PREMIERE: 2013 CONCRETE NIGHT BETONIYÖ Concrete Night opens in a cramped, concrete-jungle home. Ilkka, the elder of the two brothers, is getting ready to go and serve his prison sentence. During Ilkka s last 24 hours of freedom, his little brother Simo follows the brother he admires through the fateful sights of that night. VILLE TANTTU DIRECTOR: PIRJO HONKASALO SCRIPT: PIRJO HONKASALO, PIRKKO SAISIO CINEMATOGRAPHY: PETER FLINCKENBERG EDITING: NIELS PAGH ANDERSEN MUSIC: KARL FRID, PÄR FRID SOUND DESIGN: JAN ALVEMARK SET DESIGN: PENTTI VALKEASUO COSTUMES: SAIJA SIEKKINEN CAST: JOHANNES BROTHERUS, JARI VIRMAN, ANNELI KARPPINEN, JUHAN ULFSAK, ALEX ANTON PRODUCERS: MISHA JAARI, MARK LWOFF PRODUCTION COMPANY: BUFO CO-PRODUCTION COMPANIES: PLATTFORM PRODUKTION, MAGIC HOUR FILMS PRODUCTION SUPPORT: THE FINNISH FILM FOUNDATION, NORDIC FILM AND TV FUND, SWEDISH FILM INSTITUTE, DANISH FILM INSTITUTE FINANCING TV COMPANIES: YLE, DR DISTRIBUTION IN FINLAND: CINEMA MONDO PIRJO HONKASALO is a highly established director, cinematographer and screenwriter who has won countless awards for her work. She directed several feature films in the 1970 s and 80 s together with Pekka Lehto, e.g. Flame Top in Cannes competition In the 1990 s she continued alone and turned to feature documentaries, directing the prize winning The Trilogy of the Sacred and the Satanic (Mysterion, Tanjuska and the 7 Devils and Atman). She has also directed the stunningly beautiful The 3 Rooms of Melancholia, which is still one of the highest award winning feature documentaries ever. She has had well over twenty retrospectives of her work world wide, acted as a member of several international juries and is actively giving international master classes. Concrete Night marks her return to feature fiction. 16

17 FEATURE FILMS VEGETARIAN FILMS DCP 116 PREMIERE: JANUARY 4, 2013 CONVERSATIONS BETWEEN MEN MIESTEN VÄLISIÄ KESKUSTELUJA After eight successful satiric novels about Finnish politicians and cultural life, Kari Mairisaari quit working on his ninth novel about the True Finns party members. Instead he started writing a book about a bus mechanic. Not your average handyman, Vlatko is a 36-year-old Croat employed as an Espoo city traffic worker who one day is picked up to answer to war crimes charges. Writing a novel is a serious challenge to Mairisaari. Can he risk everything he has achieved so far to relearn and navigate the path of the novel writer? DIRECTOR: JARMO LAMPELA SCRIPT: JARMO LAMPELA CINEMATOGRAPHY: AARNE TAPOLA EDITING: KAUKO LINDFORS MUSIC: JUHA POTKA SOUND DESIGN: PATRICK BOULANGER SET DESIGN: TERO VILLER COSTUMES: TERO VILLER CAST: JUHA KUKKONEN, REA MAURANEN, PIHLA PENTTINEN, AARNI KIVINEN PRODUCER: ILKKA MERTSOLA PRODUCTION COMPANY: VEGETARIAN FILMS PRODUCTION SUPPORT: THE FINNISH FILM FOUNDATION DISTRIBUTION IN FINLAND: PEK JARMO LAMPELA (b.1964) has directed several film and TV productions since He has also worked as a screenwriter and theater director. Since 2007 Lampela has been a professor of directing at ELO film school, Aalto University, Helsinki. 17

18 FEATURE FILMS LÅNGFILM PRODUCTIONS FINLAND DCP 2.35:1 90 PREMIERE: MAY, 2013 SECOND FEATURE THE DISCIPLE LÄRJUNGEN An isolated island in the Baltic Sea in the summer of 1939: Thirteen-year-old Karl comes to the island to work as lighthouse master Hasselbond s assistant. Master Hasselbond turns Karl down because of his young age. Karl struggles desperately to stay on. Karl and Hasselbond s oppressed son, Gustaf, make friends but their friendship changes to rivalry and hate when Hasselbond starts to favor Karl over his own son. DIRECTOR: ULRIKA BENGTS SCRIPT: JIMMY KARLSSON, ROLAND FAUSER CINEMATOGRAPHY: ROBERT NORDSTRÖM EDITING: TUOMO LEINO MUSIC: PETER HÄGERSTRAND SOUND DESIGN: RISTO IISSALO SET DESIGN: KATARINA LUME COSTUMES: RIITTA PETERI CAST: ERIK LÖNNGREN, PATRIK KUMPULAINEN, PING MON WALLÉN, NIKLAS GROUNDSTROEM, AMANDA OOMS PRODUCER: MATS LÅNGBACKA PRODUCTION COMPANY: LÅNGFILM PRODUCTIONS FINLAND OY PRODUCTION SUPPORT: THE FINNISH FILM FOUNDATION FINANCING TV COMPANIES: YLE, SVT DISTRIBUTION IN FINLAND: KINOSCREEN ILLUSION LTD INTERNATIONAL SALES: AB INTERPROD OY ULRIKA BENGTS (b. 1962) is a Finnish film and theater director. She is a graduate of the Stockholm Academy of Dramatic Arts and has directed over 20 short films, television-series and documentaries. The Disciple is her second feature film. 18

19 FEATURE FILMS DICTATOR FILMS DCP 2.39:1 85 PREMIERE: DECEMBER 28, 2012 GLORIOUSLY WASTED JUOPPOHULLUN PÄIVÄKIRJA DEBUT Juha Berg is a hopeless 30-year-old drunk in the Kallio neighborhood of Helsinki who has no intention of changing his ways. He really enjoys miscellaneous sexual relationships, adrenalin-inducing violence and, of course, alcohol for which he gets money even if by collecting bottles. But the joy of living in a drunken haze is threatened when passionate Juha falls in love with his AA group leader. Juha struggles balancing an intimate relationship and his old lifestyle. Juha s best friend Kristian also does his best to sabotage the relationship, and Juha s shaky decision to stay sober is further hindered by Mikael, an expert on German erotica. Gloriously Wasted is based on the first part of Juha Vuorinen s immensely popular Gloriously Wasted book series. DIRECTOR: LAURI MAIJALA SCRIPT: LAURI MAIJALA CINEMATOGRAPHY: RIKE JOKELA EDITING: HARRI YLÖNEN MUSIC: KERKKO KOSKINEN SOUND DESIGN: MIKA NIINIMAA, JANNE JANKERI SET DESIGN: MARKKU PÄTILÄ COSTUMES: TIINA WILÉN CAST: JOONAS SAARTAMO, KRISTA KOSONEN, SANTTU KARVONEN, JOHANNES HOLOPAINEN PRODUCER: ALEKSI BARDY, JUHA VUORINEN PRODUCTION COMPANY: DICTATOR FILMS OY PRODUCTION SUPPORT: THE FINNISH FILM FOUNDATION FINANCING TV COMPANIES: YLE DISTRIBUTION IN FINLAND: SCANBOX ENTERTAINMENT FINLAND OY INTERNATIONAL SALES: THE YELLOW AFFAIR LAURI MAIJALA (b.1986) has a bachelor s degree in theatre (TeaK). He has directed 17 plays, written 3 screenplays and has composed music for several plays. His plays Kunnalliskertomus 2009, and Mannerheim 2010, both directed and written by Maijala have been part of Helsinki Festival. Also Mahagony-ooppera directed by Maijala (UMO, Avanti!, Kapsäkki 2011) has been part of Helsinki Festival. Gloriously Wasted is Maijala s first feature film. 19

20 FEATURE FILMS SOLAR FILMS INC DCP 2.35:1 93 PREMIERE: JANUARY 18, 2013 THE HIJACK THAT WENT SOUTH KAAPPARI The year is Aaro Lamminparras is a down-on-his-luck businessman. He is always patriotic and full of good intentions but is often cheated by his partners. One drunken evening in Oulu he ends up spending a night with his friend, sergeant Lönnroth, an avid hunter and gun collector. In the morning Lamminparras decides to fly to Helsinki after arguing with his wife on telephone. Onboard he is surprised to find a handgun in his briefcase and, on a whim, he hijacks the plane. This starts a hilarious chain of events both inside the plane and outside. With the country shut down for the Easter holiday, politicians are partying, the media is shocked, the police caught off-guard, the rumors are outrageous DIRECTOR: ALEKSI MÄKELÄ SCRIPT: ELIAS KOSKIMIES, MIKA KARTTUNEN CINEMATOGRAPHY: PINI HELLSTEDT F.S.C. EDITING: KIMMO TAAVILA MUSIC: LAURI PORRA SOUND DESIGN: JYRKI RAHKONEN SET DESIGN: PIRJO ROSSI COSTUMES: TIINA KAUKANEN CAST: KARI HIETALAHTI, AAKE KALLIALA, JUSSI VATANEN, HANNU-PEKKA BJÖRKMAN, MIITTA SORVALI, ARMI TOIVANEN, VILLE MYLLYRINNE, KIMMO LISKI, PEKKA VALKEEJÄRVI, ELINA KEINONEN, PIRJO LONKA, JUHO MILONOFF PRODUCERS: JUKKA HELLE, MARKUS SELIN PRODUCTION COMPANY: SOLAR FILMS OY PRODUCTION SUPPORT: THE FINNISH FILM FOUNDATION FINANCING TV COMPANIES: MTV3 DISTRIBUTION IN FINLAND: NORDISK FILM OY INTERNATIONAL SALES: TBA ALEKSI MÄKELÄ (b. 1969) is the most successful Finnish film director of the modern era: his films have been seen by as many as 2.5 million Finnish moviegoers. The Hijack that Went South is Mäkelä s 11th feature film. Of his earlier films, The Tough Ones (1999) heralded the recent rise of Finnish cinema with domestic admission. It was also the Finnish entry for Best Foreign Language Film at the 1999 Academy Awards. Mäkelä has also directed two of the biggest domestic box office hits: Bad Boys (2003, admissions) and Matti - Hell is for Heroes (2006, admissions). Mäkelä s Vares - Private Eye (2004) and Hellsinki (2009) were also the top domestic films of the year. Mäkelä s films have won a total of 11 Jussi Film Awards, three of which were for the most popular movie of the year. In 2009 Mäkelä was awarded The State Prize for Cinema. Besides feature films Aleksi Mäkelä has directed hundreds of hours worth of TV series, commercials and music videos. 20

21 FEATURE FILMS SOLAR FILMS INC DCP 2.35:1 95 PREMIERE: AUGUST 16, 2013 KEKKONEN KEKKONEN - HÄN TULEE SECOND FEATURE Berries grow faster, animals bow, the sick are healed, the poor get wealthy and women conceive. All dreams come true where Kekkonen treads. Urho Kaleva Kekkonen, the long-time president of the Republic of Finland, is scheduled to visit Alli s Bar on his way to northern Finland. He is blindly worshiped and the nearer the visit draws, the more envy, competition and dirty tricks come to bear in this small town setting. No one is spared the brutality! DIRECTOR: MARJA PYYKKÖ SCRIPT: ELIAS KOSKIMIES (BASED ON A NOVEL URHO KEKKONEN STRASSE BY PIA PESONEN) CINEMATOGRAPHY: KONSTA SOHLBERG EDITING: MIKKO SIPPOLA MUSIC: ANTTI LEHTINEN SOUND DESIGN: PANU RIIKONEN SET DESIGN: SATTVA-HANNA TOIVIAINEN COSTUMES: TIINA KAUKANEN CAST: WILMA ROSENQVIST, MERJA LARIVAARA, MARJAANA MAIJALA, KONSTA MÄKELÄ, MIINA TURUNEN, AAKE KALLIALA, JUKKA PUOTILA, VILLE VIRTANEN, ILMARI JÄRVENPÄÄ, TEIJO ELORANTA, IINA KUUSTONEN, MARJA MYLLYLÄ, TOMI SALMELA, KRISTIINA ELSTELÄ, JAANA SAARINEN PRODUCERS: MARKUS SELIN, JUKKA HELLE PRODUCTION COMPANY: SOLAR FILMS INC. PRODUCTION SUPPORT: THE FINNISH FILM FOUNDATION FINANCING TV COMPANIES: MTV3 DISTRIBUTION IN FINLAND: NORDISK FILM OY INTERNATIONAL SALES: TBA MARJA PYYKKÖ (b.1975) is one of Finland s most promising young directors. She earned her Master of Arts in film directing at University of Art and Design Helsinki. Kekkonen is Marja Pyykkö s second feature film. Her feature film debut was Run Sister Run, released in August MPyykkö has directed several short films and TV commercials and has worked as an assistant director and casting director for feature films and TV series since Her graduation film from UIAH was the 60-minute television film Here Lies Aino Koski. 21

22 FEATURE FILMS HELSINKI-FILMI DCP PREMIERE: OCTOBER 18, 2013 LION HEART LEIJONASYDÄN Teppo, the central figure in a neo-nazi group, meets, immediately falls in love and moves in with Sari whose son, Rhamadhani, is half-black. Teppo starts to overcome his own prejudices, but the situation becomes more complex when Sari is bound to bed rest and Teppo must take sole responsibility for Rhamadhani. Teppo s neo-nazi younger brother Harri is kicked out of the army and moves in uninvited. Harri implements an Apartheid-like system in the home, in which each race has their own area. Teppo finally sticks up for Rhamadhani and becomes a good stepfather, but not without paying a dear price for it. DIRECTOR: DOME KARUKOSKI SCRIPT: ALEKSI BARDY CINEMATOGRAPHY: HENA BLOMBERG EDITING: HARRI YLÖNEN SET DESIGN: ANTTI NIKKINEN COSTUMES: ANNA VILPPUNEN CAST: PETER FRANZEN, YUSUFA SIDIBEH, LAURA BIRN, JASPER PÄÄKKÖNEN, PAMELA TOLA, JUSSI VATANEN, TIMO LAVIKAINEN, NIKO VAKKURI, MIKKO NEUVONEN PRODUCER: ALEKSI BARDY PRODUCTION COMPANY: HELSINKI -FILMI OY PRODUCTION SUPPORT: THE FINNISH FILM FOUNDATION FINANCING TV COMPANIES: YLE DISTRIBUTION IN FINLAND: SCANBOX ENTERTAINMENT FINLAND OY INTERNATIONAL SALES: THE YELLOW AFFAIR DOME KARUKOSKI (b. 1976, Cyprus) is one of Finland s most successful young film directors with over 30 festival awards and having directed four feature films that have sold more than 100,000 tickets the rule-of-thumb measure for a blockbuster in the territory. His previous film Lapland Odyssey was the number one film in the Finnish box office of It was also selected as the best Finnish film of the year in the Jussi film awards. 22