Playlist: based on a book

The Call of the Wild

Julkaistu:

“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.

Gloriously Wasted

Julkaistu:

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.

Missä kuljimme kerran

Julkaistu:

Based on Kjell Westö’s Finlandia Prize-winning novel, the film explores humanity and love amidst the upheavals of the nation.

Early 20th-century Helsinki is essentially two cities: the idyllic world of the wealthy upper class and the slum quarters of the poor laborers. The story spans decades, illustrating how time, place, and social class both bring people together and drive them apart.

Independent and curious, Lucie (Jessica Grabowsky) refuses to conform to the mold of upper-class women. Her childhood friend, the photographer Eccu (Jakob Öhrman), passionately loves the wild and eccentric Lucie, but his heart belongs to Allu (Andreas af Enehielm), a young working-class football hero.

The film also features Allu’s father, Enok (Elmer Bäck), Lucie’s politically fervent brother Cedi (Oskar Pöysti), the humanist observer Ivar Grandell (Niklas Groundstroem), and other beloved characters from the novel.

Director:
Peter Lindholm

Starring:
Jakob Öhrman
Jessica Grabowsky
Andreas af Enehielm
Oskar Pöysti

Urpo & Turpo – Johtolangan jäljillä

Julkaistu:

Two curious toy bears, named Urpo and Turpo, reside on the bookshelf in the children’s room and greatly enjoy reading. They blend everyday life and fairy tales, creating amusing adventures. For instance, they find themselves on a deserted island and are saved by a breadfruit tree, bravely improve others’ appearances, search for clues, break rules, long for silence, and compete to be the best and strongest in the world.

Similarly to the toys in Toy Story, Urpo and Turpo come to life when the family isn’t watching. The Urpo & Turpo movie provides entertainment for both adults and the youngest members of the family. The film is easy to follow as it features good Finnish. It is based on Hannele Huovi’s popular storybooks and is now even more vibrant and lively on the big screen as it has been restored.

Ella ja kaverit 2: Paterock

Julkaistu:

Ella, a second-grader, and her classmates’ teacher insist that Pate, who dreams of a rock star career, must also learn multiplication tables. The friends come up with the idea that if Pete were a rock star, he wouldn’t need to know anything, as the manager would take care of everything. They form a band, and their goal is to perform at the mega concert of the singing star Elviira.

These characters are based on the book series “Ella ja Paterock” (Ella and Paterock).

The Unknown Soldier (1985)

Julkaistu:

During the interim peace, a medical examination is carried out in the machine gun company of the Eastern Finnish wilderness garrison, and training is conducted for future battles. In June, the departure order arrives towards the unknown, and the company is transported to the eastern border. Officers listen solemnly to the Minister’s speech on the radio about the final victory, and in captured Petrozavodsk, Finnish victory celebrations have already begun. In the summer of 1944, the Soviet Union launches a major offensive, and the Finnish forces begin to retreat. Author Väinö Linna fully supported Rauni Mollberg’s film project and was initially involved in its scriptwriting. Although Edwin Laine’s direction held its ground, new perspectives were sought for the remake of ‘The Unknown Soldier.’ The actors are younger because the main idea is the path of a young person into war and its absurdity. At the same time, it is a tribute to those who have gone through it all.

The film was directed by Rauni Mollberg based on Väinö Linna’s novel ‘The Unknown Soldier.’

Starring:
Risto Tuorila
Pirkka-Pekka Petelius
Paavo Liski
Mika Mäkelä

Jussi Awards:
Best Actor – Paavo Liski
Best Actor – Risto Tuorila
Best Direction – Rauni Mollberg

Maa on syntinen laulu

Julkaistu:

The film based on Timo K. Mukka’s controversial novel is simultaneously a naturalistic and lyrical depiction of life in Lapland, as well as a broader exploration of humanity and its absence. In “The Tenant,” a farmhand is stabbed at a dance, and the village holds a funeral. Martta takes care of the funeral’s coffee service and immediately becomes infatuated with Oula, a Lapp reindeer herder. During winter, the son of the Kurkela household courts Martta and persuades her to spend a night together. Disappointed by the experience, Martta cannot forget Oula. During the reindeer separation period, she meets Oula again, but their happiness faces several obstacles. The son of the Kurkela household is jealous, and Martta’s father believes Oula is an unworthy man with a string of illegitimate children with different women. Oula lures Martta into running away from home.

Jussi Awards:
Best Producer: Rauni Mollberg
Best Actor: Aimo Saukko
Best Direction: Rauni Mollberg
Best Cinematography: Kari Sohlberg

Starring:
Maritta Viitamäki
Pauli Jauhojärvi
Aimo Saukko
Milja Hiltunen

Koirankynnen leikkaaja

Julkaistu:

Finland pays its war debts. Mertsi Vepsäläinen went to war with a firm intention to save an entire nation, but as a war invalid with a head injury, his entire will is now focused on saving his colleague’s Finnish Spitz, Sakke, from destruction. He embarks on a multi-phased journey that takes him through the harsh winter landscapes of Finland, where war reparations are being paid, to rigorous forestry work, culminating in a dramatic attempt to trim Sakke the dog’s overgrown dewclaws.

Starring:
Peter Franzén
Ahti Kuoppala
Taisto Reimaluoto
Leo Lastumäki

The film splendidly won six Jussi Awards:
Peter Franzén: Best Actor
Markku Pölönen: Best Director
Best Screenplay: Markku Pölönen
Best Cinematography: Kari Sohlberg
Best Film

The Last Wedding

Julkaistu:

The Last Wedding (orig. Kivenpyörittäjän kylä) is based on Heikki Turunen’s book of the same original name and depicts the final moments of Jerusalem, a village left behind by structural changes, encapsulating the beauty and misery of human life. Pekka returns after a long time to his hometown, the small village of Jerusalem, to celebrate the village’s last wedding. His own marriage seems to have reached a dead end. The village gathers to prepare for this final event, and within a single summer day, the bitter-sweet spectrum of human existence with its joys and sorrows seems to converge.

The film won three Jussi Awards: Best Film, Best Supporting Actor (Matti Varjo), and Best Direction (Markku Pölönen).

Starring:
Martti Suosalo
Jarmo Mäkinen
Henrika Andersson
Esko Nikkari
Rauha Valkonen

Täällä Pohjantähden alla II

Julkaistu:

Artista Filmi Oy produced two feature films based on Väinö Linna’s ‘Under the North Star’ novels. The books constitute the Northern Star trilogy, narrating the realistic and humane story of the Koskela family. It traces the life of ordinary individuals amidst the significant European changes from the late 1800s to the Second World War, encompassing Finland’s independence and the Civil War. The narrative also focuses on the love story of Akseli Koskela and Elina Kivivuori. The book series was published between 1959 and 1962.