Genre: documentary

Published: December 27, 2023

Ringside

“Ringside” is a dramatized documentary about boxer Tarmo Uusivirta as he prepares for the final and most crucial fight of his career. This match ultimately becomes a battle within himself amidst the crossfire of changing life values.

At 34 years old, the athlete has risen from rock bottom back into the boxing ring. He is on the path towards a world championship through an European Champion title fight. However, love transforms his mindset, and at the most critical moment of his career, he is ready to give up for the sake of life.

(Source: Art Films production)

Published: December 27, 2023

Valo varjon takaa

“Light Behind the Shadow” is a portrait of hurdler Arto Bryggare. The film follows Bryggare’s life for a year and a half after his Achilles tendon ruptured in 1988.

Desperately, Bryggare attempts a comeback to hurdling and reaching the top despite his legs no longer being able to endure. The relentless and stubborn battle of Bryggare against time and physical limitations intertwines with glimpses of his past athletic achievements. These moments portray both the persistent struggle of Bryggare and the highs and lows of an athlete’s journey. (Source: Art Films production)

Published: November 27, 2023

Apollo 11

Apollo 11 is an impressive documentary film that follows the journey of Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins to the moon and back. The film is entirely based on archival material, which documentary filmmaker Todd Douglas Miller has edited into a cohesive whole. Although the outcome of the journey is known, the film presents the historic mission with its surprises and keeps the audience engaged throughout.

The film consists solely of archival material, including 70 mm film footage that has not been previously released to the public. It does not have a narrator, interviews, or reenactments. The only exceptions are the animated sequences used to clarify the spacecraft’s route to the moon and back for the viewers.

Director: Todd Douglas Miller
Cast: Neil Armstrong, Mike Collins, Buzz Aldrin

Published: October 31, 2023

Kultainen maa

Kultainen maa (transl. Golden Land) is a story of refugee experiences, return migration, and the concept of home, as Mustafe, who has become Finnish, decides to move back to Somaliland with his family in search of a better future.

Published: October 30, 2023

Armotonta menoa – hoivatyön lauluja

Armotonta menoa – hoivatyön lauluja (transl. “Ruthless Times – Songs of Care”) is a documentary musical film infused with dark humor that looks into the state of elderly care in Finland: The people who provide care, and those who receive it in the care market. Through documentary episodes and songs, the film sheds light on the everyday crisis of elderly care.

Published: October 30, 2023

Hassisen Kone 40 vuotta myöhemmin

“Hassisen Kone 40 Years Later” is a documentary film about a band that, despite its short lifespan, is still remembered as one of the most iconic Finnish rock bands of all time. The film tells the story not only of the band’s 40th-anniversary concert and its preparation but also of the band’s history and its members’ journey from young celebrities to adults.

Published: May 16, 2023

Karaokeparatiisi

Karaokeparatiisi, awarded as the best documentary film of the year, is about Finnish karaoke culture. The film interviews five different people and describes how they live with karaoke.

Published: March 30, 2023

Lady Time

The documentary tells the story of Sirkka-Liisa Miettinen, who died at the age of 98 in Helsinki’s Kisakylä and had no relatives. Elina Talvensaari, who is the director of the film, was inspired to make that film when she bought Sirkka-Liisa’s apartment by chance. The apartment came with all of Sirkka-Liisa’s personal belongings, down to the smallest item. The director did not want to put the items directly into the disposal, because then even the last grains of information about Sirkka-Liisa would have been lost. Elina wanted to remember Sirkka-Liisa, so the idea for Lady Time came from this.

Published: February 24, 2023

Kenen joukoissa seisot

“Kenen joukoissa seisot” transl. “Whose Side Are You On?” is a documentary film that utilizes music and is revolutionary both in form and content. It explores the singing movement of the 1970s in Finland, when hundreds of singing groups across the country aimed to change the world through songs. The film showcases the high-quality music produced by the singing movement, addressing both political and everyday topics. It features interviews with key figures of the singing movement and offers captivating archival footage and nostalgic atmospheres. Additionally, it narrates a generational experience where young people fell in love with politics and believed they could change the world.

The film was awarded the Jussi Award for Best Documentary in 2007.

Director:
Jouko Aaltonen

Starring:
Pekka Aarnio
Sinikka Sokka
Monna Kamu
Martti Launis
Kiti Neuvonen
Anna-Riitta Minkkinen

Published: January 30, 2023

Alcan Highway (Alaska Highway)

Alaska Highway is a road movie about the dream of finding a better place to be. Hese lives without a permanent address, but the harsh Finnish winter – snow, freezing temperatures, and a rootless lifestyle – has become unbearable. He’s set his sights on Vancouver Island on Canada’s west coast as the ideal place to live.

However, Hese’s dream comes with a twist: his home must be mobile, stylish, and above all, affordable. His journey begins in Alaska, 4000 kilometers away, where a 63-year-old wrecked truck awaits – the foundation for his mobile home. Alaska Highway follows Hese’s efforts to repair the truck, transform it into a home, and drive it to Vancouver Island.