Level: middle schools

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Monsterimies

The only official documentary film about Lordi, the Finnish national hero, a creative monster genius, who with his band won Finland its first Eurovision title. For the first time in the film, we get behind the scenes, where the band’s frontman Mr. Lordi, Tomi from Rovaniemi, has experienced great success and acceptance from the masses following the victory. Two years later, Lordi has become a commercial brand, but Tomi suffers from a total collapse and is unable to create anew. The pressure to succeed is immense from both fans and the general public.

Will Tomi manage to keep his monster band together and find the joy of childish creation crucial for a new Lordi album amidst difficulties? The film exclusively follows the challenging everyday life of the popular monster band behind the curtains and presents unique, previously unseen archive material from the inception of the monster dream in Tomi’s childhood years.

Tomi swears eternal loyalty to 80s heavy metal and never intends to grow up. The film is about the fervor of creation and the courage to be exactly what one believes in, even if the 1980s heavy metal monster is no longer the trendiest thing in the world.

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The Color Purple

Separated from her sister and children, Celie faces numerous hardships, including an aggressive husband. With the support of a singer and her stepdaughter, she ultimately finds exceptional strength in the unbreakable bonds of sisterhood. The musical film is based on Alice Walker’s novel of the same name and features performers such as Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey. The songs in the musical blend jazz, R&B, and blues, adding their atmosphere to the film.

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The Call of the Wild

“The Call of the Wild” is an adventure film released in 2020, based on Jack London’s novel of the same name. The movie follows the story of a dog named Buck, who is taken from California to the Alaskan wilderness to become a member of a dog sled team. Buck must adapt to harsh conditions and find his place within the pack. Along the way, he befriends John Thornton, who teaches him important life lessons. The film provides a modern interpretation of Jack London’s classic and highlights its timeless themes. Starring Harrison Ford and Terry Notary in lead roles.

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Wish

The story set in the magical kingdom of Rosasin revolves around a clever girl named Asha, who deeply cares about her community. When Asha turns to the starry sky in a moment of need and makes a wish, she receives a response from a cosmic force—a small, energy-filled orb named Star. Together, they encounter a mighty enemy to save Asha’s community and prove that when the will of a brave individual merges with the magic of the stars, miracles can happen.

Voice actors include Ariana DeBose (Asha), Chris Pine (Magnifico), and Alan Tudyk (Valentino).

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Raiders of the Lost Ark

“Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark” is an adventure film released in 1981, directed by Steven Spielberg and produced by George Lucas. The movie follows the adventures of the archaeologist Indiana Jones as he tries to find the legendary archaeological treasure before it falls into the wrong hands, especially the Nazis’. The film combines action, adventure, historical mysteries, and humor. It became a huge success and a cult classic. Harrison Ford portrays the lead role of Indiana Jones, and the movie’s iconic scene where Indy dodges a large boulder is one of the most famous moments in film history.

The film won four Academy Awards:
Best Sound Editing – Richard L. Anderson, Ben Burtt
Best Visual Effects – Richard Edlund, Kit West, Bruce Nicholson, Joe Johnston
Best Sound Mixing – Bill Varney, Steve Maslow, Gregg Landaker, Roy Charman
Best Editing – Michael Kahn

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Trolls Band Together

After a wholehearted friendship spanning two movies and constant flirtation, Poppy (Anna Kendrick) and Branch (Justin Timberlake) are now officially a couple (#popsu)! As they get to know each other better, Poppy discovers that Branch has a hidden past. Branch was part of a boy band called BroZone, admired by Poppy, which also included Branch’s four brothers: Floyd, John Dory, Spruce, and Clay. However, Branch was just a child when BroZone disbanded, leading to the breakdown of their family, and he hasn’t seen his brothers since. But when the wicked pop star duo—Velvet and Veneer—kidnap Branch’s brother Floyd because of his singing skills, Branch and Poppy embark on a fast-paced and emotional journey to reunite the brotherly band and save Floyd from an even worse fate than fading into obscurity.

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Sukunsa viimeinen

“The Last of the Line” tells the story of change, upbringing, and the theft of identity. Set on the Jamal Peninsula during the Soviet era, the film is based on true events in director Anastasia Lapsui’s childhood environment.

A young Nenets girl named Neko is forcibly taken from her home to a boarding school in a Russian village against her will. Forced into a foreign culture and new customs, Neko rebels against Russification and becomes the target of bullying by her classmates and scrutiny from her teachers. Together with a Nenets boy from the same school, Neko escapes to return to the safety of her own family and familiar customs. However, their escape across the wintry tundra is short-lived, and the inevitable return to school and new Russian life is unavoidable.

The film’s story is told through the memories of an elderly Neko. School has taught her much new knowledge, and Russian culture has become a natural part of her. But something important has permanently changed; as the last representative of her family, Neko has grown estranged from her own roots and lost the ability to continue her family’s age-old traditions.

Directors:
Markku Lehmuskallio and Anastasia Lapsui

Starring:
Aleksandra Okotetto
Nadezhda Pyrerko
Anastasia Lapsui
Jevgeni Hudi

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Punk – tauti joka ei tapa

The overall tone of the film is as energetic as punk itself. The movie depicts youth, specifically two generations of youth from the 1970s-80s and the present-day punk scenes. We follow a band formed by four young people from the Tampere region, witnessing their journey through gigs, successes, and setbacks. The film features both old and new punk music, along with intriguing archival footage from the early days of punk veterans. “Punk – A Disease That Doesn’t Kill” is a compelling and engaging documentary about Finnish punk, entertaining yet not toothless or bland.

Director:
Jouko Aaltonen

Starring:
Andy McCoy
Severi Helle
Pelle Miljoona
Pantse Syrjä

Note: The documentary is no longer available on Blu-ray or DVD.

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Kyytiä Moosekselle

In the year 2000, teenagers aged 12-15 rewrote the Ten Commandments of the Bible as follows:

I am a cell phone, thou shalt have no other gods.
For fuck’s sake, thou shalt not swear.
Chill the fuck out.
Respect thy folks, if you can.
Let people live.
Thou shalt not be a revolving door.
Thou shalt not steal.
Thou shalt not frame thy friend.
Is it not enough to lust after another’s room?
Open thine eyes – you have everything.
Go to the movies.

These same teenagers have created scripts for the movie “Ride for Moses”. Alongside director Kaija Juurikkala, they improvised ten different stories based on the old commandments of the Bible, which the film crew then made into a movie with them. The teenagers themselves play all the roles, for which they have also written the dialogue. An actual script was never written.

Director:
Kaija Juurikkala

Starring:
Markus Vuorinen
Joni Hovisilta
Oona Louhivaara
Vilma Vuorio

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Vuosisadan häät

“The Wedding of the Century” is a comedy where the groom’s former partner takes center stage at the wedding. Celebrity psychiatrist Viima Von Ausgezeichnet, known from television and enjoying fame, is at the center of his own life but secretly experiences loneliness. When his former partner gets married, Viima must find a high-profile companion for the wedding to show that everything is going well for him. His search for a companion in the Helsinki night between Friday and Sunday is filled with expensive wines and unpleasant hangovers. However, anyone could land the role of their dreams as Viima’s escort – and unforgettable wedding of the century awaits.

Director:
Marja Pyykkö

Starring:
Outi Mäenpää
Mikko Leppilampi
Matleena Kuusniemi