Level: primary schools

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Ella ja kaverit

Second grader Ella’s small village school is threatened with closure and demolition. The students are being transferred to a large and dreary new school. Behind the closure of the village school is Mr. One, who wants to build a race track in its place. With the support of her teacher, Ella and her friends come up with a way to save their own school.

Director:
Taneli Mustonen

Starring:
Eero Milonoff
Kari Ketonen
Armi Toivanen
Ville Myllyrinne

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Herra Heinämäki ja Leijonatuuliviiri

During the Finnish War, highwayman Jeppe Antinpoika robs the treasure of the Swedish king. The bag of jewels is left hidden behind the pantry of a house, waiting to be discovered for eight hundred years.

City girl Aurora, also known as Arskan, arrives to visit her rural relative, Mr. Heinämäki, an eccentric gentleman. Mr. Heinämäki’s neighbor, the baker Kakelberg, is having a tough time because his house has started to haunt and his bakery business has been sabotaged. One evening, Arskan catches a mysterious prowler in the cellar of the baker’s house. Arskan and Mr. Heinämäki then start to solve the mystery of the baker’s house together.

Director:
Matti Grönberg
Pekka Karjalainen

Starring:
Heikki Hela
Heikki Silvennoinen
Satu Säävälä
Outi Mäenpää
Jukka Rasila

Note: No longer available on DVD or Blu-ray distribution.

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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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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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Wonka

The movie tells the story of Willy Wonka’s youth before he became the genius of the chocolate industry. He has endless ideas and is determined to change the world one delicious bite at a time, while also proving that the best things in life start with a dream.

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Pihalla

“Pihalla” is a romantic dramedy about young adults – women and men, relationships and community, career pressures, and cultural encounters. Laura is a German housewife who moves to Finland with her husband for his job. At first, everything is difficult. Laura’s husband, Arto, is chronically busy with work, making it impossible to get to know people, and November in Tampere doesn’t show its best sides. By chance, Laura is mistaken for a single mother, she makes friends in a single-parent support group and gets to know Tero, who organizes music sessions for children in a nearby playground. As Laura’s relationship with Tero progresses, she starts to feel more comfortable in her new hometown.

Director:
Toni Laine

Starring:
Sibel Kekilli
Mikko Leppilampi
Teemu Palosaari
Sanna-June Hyde

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Shrek

“Shrek” is an animated film released in 2001. It tells the story of a green, yet kind-hearted ogre named Shrek, who lives alone and unappreciated in a swamp. However, Shrek’s peace is disturbed when the expulsion of fairy tale creatures is ordered to his swamp by the ruler of Duloc, Lord Farquaad.

Shrek wants to regain his peace, so he strikes a deal with Farquaad: he agrees to rescue Princess Fiona, so that Farquaad can marry her and Shrek can get his swamp back. On the journey to save the princess, Shrek receives help from a donkey named Donkey, who accompanies him on his adventures.

When Shrek and Donkey arrive at Princess Fiona’s castle, they realize that Fiona is not quite an ordinary princess. Along the way, Shrek and Fiona grow closer, but Shrek soon faces the truth about Farquaad’s true intentions.

“Shrek” is an adventure filled with humor, romance, and twists related to the world of fairy tale creatures. It has become known for its memorable characters, clever dialogue, and unique storytelling.

“Shrek” won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature at the 2001 Academy Awards. This was the first time the award for Best Animated Feature was presented, and “Shrek” was the first film to be honored in this category.

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The Prince of Egypt

The movie is based on the story of Moses from the Bible. It follows Moses’ life as he faces challenges and trials while trying to free the Hebrews from slavery under the rule of the Egyptian Pharaoh.

The story begins when young Moses is saved from Pharaoh’s decree and grows up as a prince in Pharaoh’s palace. However, he eventually learns the truth about his origins and sets out to lead the Hebrews to freedom and the promised land, despite facing conflict with the Pharaoh and enduring challenging trials in the wilderness.

Themes of religion, identity, the pursuit of freedom, and accepting fate are explored in the movie. Its stunning animation and impactful music make it visually and emotionally compelling. “The Prince of Egypt” has proven to be popular among both children and adults, continuing to have an impact for decades.

The film won an Oscar for Best Original Song for “When You Believe”.

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Emperor’s Secret

“The Emperor’s Secret,” completed in 2006, is Finland’s first full-length computer-animated film set in a fantasy world. Although the movie features caricatures of politicians from the “Itsevaltiaat” TV series, it is not directly related to the series’ plot. The story revolves around a small village’s battle against an evil emperor.

The film was directed by Riina Hyytiä, and among its voice actors are Mika-Ala Panula, Anna Bentley, and Jukka Puotila. There are many characters, with several recognizable as Finnish politicians. “The Emperor’s Secret” was produced by Helsinki Film and Anima Vitae Oy.