Published:
University professor Paul Matthews begins to appear randomly in people’s dreams as a passive onlooker. The henpecked hero tries to shrug off the inexplicable events, but the media decides to turn him into a phenomenon. As the turmoil progresses, it takes on increasingly nightmarish features, and there is no gratitude standing at the end.
Published:
Bella is a young woman, whose brilliant yet eccentric scientist Dr. Godwin Baxter brings back to life. Initially, Bella is eager to learn about life under Baxter’s wing. However, in her thirst for life, she embarks on a turbulent journey across continents with the slick and debauched lawyer Duncan Wedderburn. Through this, Bella, who has shed her previous prejudices, grows into a steadfast advocate for freedom and equality.
The film was awarded four Oscars:
1. Best Actress: Emma Stone received this prestigious award for her portrayal of the young Victorian woman named Bella Baxter, brought back to life.
2. Best Production Design: James Price and Shona Heath were recognized for the visual world of the film.
3. Best Makeup and Hairstyling: Nadia Stacey, Mark Coulier, and Josh Weston created impressive makeup and hairstyling.
4. Best Costume Design: Holly Waddington was responsible for the stunning costumes, transporting viewers to the Victorian era and the steampunk adventure.
Published:
“Dogs Don’t Wear Pants” is a poignant and stark love story about the encounter between Juha (Pekka Strang) and Mona (Krista Kosonen) in the world of BDSM. Visually striking, J-P Valkeapää’s direction encompasses intense emotions and unexpected, dark humor.
Single father Juha lives as if in a dream, a prisoner of his past. Everything changes when he meets a peculiar woman, dominatrix Mona. A compelling connection sparks between Mona and Juha. Beyond the mundane, they have their world where Mistress Mona brings Juha’s suppressed emotions to life with violent means. Despite the pain, Juha desires more and goes further. Will this dangerous journey lead to ruin or enlightenment?
Highly acclaimed by the international press, the film has achieved unprecedented success at festivals worldwide. Premiering at Cannes Director’s Fortnight, “Dogs Don’t Wear Pants” has been showcased at various international film festivals including Karlovy Vary, Toronto, Busan, and London. Garnering recognition with numerous awards and distributed to theaters in 25 countries, “Dogs Don’t Wear Pants” has been widely praised and acclaimed.
Director: J-P Valkeapää
Starring:
Krista Kosonen
Pekka Strang
Ilona Huhta
Jani Volanen
The film brilliantly won six Jussi Awards:
Best Actor (Pekka Strang)
Best Cinematography (Pietari Peltola)
Best Music (Michal Nejtek)
Best Sound Design (Micke Nyström)
Best Editing (Mervi Junkkonen)
Best Makeup Design (Aija Beata Rjabovska)
Published:
Directed by J-P Valkeapää, “They Have Escaped” is a road movie depicting the journey of two young individuals across summertime Finland.
Raisa is the most troubled youth at a juvenile facility. Joni arrives at the institution as a civilian service worker. What unites these young people is the dream of escape, a chance to flee the violence of reality and constant despair. With the civilian serviceman possessing a master key and access to the institution’s old Volvo, the journey can begin.
The escape across summertime Finland is a wild adventure in two senses. It tells a story of fragile love and moments of insane happiness and freedom amidst a cruel world. Yet, it is also insane because the plan is fragile, and society may not let go— or will it?
Starring:
Roosa Söderholm
Teppo Manner
Petteri Pennilä
Sara Paavolainen
Pelle Heikkilä
Jari Pehkonen
The film won a total of four Jussi Awards:
Best Film (Aleksi Bardy)
Best Direction (J.-P. Valkeapää)
Best Sound Design (Micke Nyström)
Best Editing (Mervi Junkkonen)
Published:
Dome Karukoski’s film “Heart of a Lion” is a touching and gritty tale of a small-town neo-Nazi, Teppo (played by Peter Franzén), who falls passionately in love with the fiery Sari (Laura Birn). His new girlfriend comes with a dark-skinned son, Ramu (Yusufa Sidibeh). Will Teppo outgrow his prejudices? Will love conquer or succumb to the pressure from his group of friends? And what will become of Ramu, who finds himself with a neo-Nazi stepfather figure? Behind the film’s unexpected and edgy humor lies deep emotions, and at its core beats the brave and gentle heart of a lion.
Director:
Dome Karukoski
Starring:
Peter Franzén
Yusufa Sidibeh
Jasper Pääkkönen
Laura Birn
The film won the Jussi Award for Best Supporting Actor (Jasper Pääkkönen).
Published:
Juha Berg is a 30-year-old alcoholic from Kallio, Helsinki. Juha has no intention whatsoever of changing his lifestyle – quite the opposite. He thoroughly enjoys random sexual encounters, adrenaline-pumping violence, and of course, alcohol, for which he scrapes together money even by collecting bottles. However, his alcohol-fueled fun faces stiff competition when passionate Juha falls in love with the group leader of the AA meeting.
Santtu Karvonen won the Jussi Award: Best Supporting Actor.
Published:
Sakari and Veera get engaged passionately in love. Veera asks Sakari to help with an issue involving her father in a way that completely surprises Sakari. Sakari does everything to prevent his fiancée from carrying out her plan. Before the story is over, Sakari has had to make choices he never imagined he would face.
Director:
Jyri Kähönen
Starring:
Jarkko Niemi
Jemina Sillanpää
Martti Suosalo
Note: No longer available on DVD or Blu-ray distribution.
Published:
Recently returned to Finland from training in Germany, young jäger Aaro Harjula witnesses cruel events. As an idealist, he believes that he can promote legality and the realization of justice through his actions, so he reluctantly sets out to take the red female prisoner, Miina Malini, to a court he believes in. Miina and Jäger Harjula find themselves on a journey to a deserted island. Their shared experience changes and deepens their relationship. “The Court Martial” is Harjula’s coming-of-age story. The world, divided into good and evil, right and wrong, gains more nuances. Harjula meets the reputable Emil Hallenberg and believes that this man will surely make a fair decision regarding Miina.
Director:
Aku Louhimies
Starring:
Pihla Viitala
Samuli Vauramo
Eero Aho
The film was awarded the Jussi Award for Best Cinematography.
Published:
“The Last Temptation of Christ” is a film released in 1988, directed by Martin Scorsese. It is based on Nikos Kazantzakis’s novel of the same name and explores the life and trials of Jesus Christ.
The film deviates from the traditional biblical narrative, presenting Jesus in a more human light. It delves into Jesus’s internal struggles and temptations, including his relationship with God and humanity. The movie bravely examines Jesus’s uncertainties and conflicting emotions, sparking controversy and debate upon its release.
While initially controversial and met with opposition, the film has also been recognized for its artistic boldness and experimental approach. “The Last Temptation of Christ” is a thought-provoking work that challenges viewers to contemplate faith, divinity, and the complexities of being human.
Published:
In a tension-filled movie, young Helsinki friends on the brink of adulthood secretly film themselves and each other engaging in sexual activities without their girlfriends’ knowledge. The filming escalates, ultimately leading to tragic consequences.
Julkaistu: