Playlist: Classic Movies

Published: March 14, 2025

Breakfast at Tiffany’s

The names Audrey Hepburn and Holly Golightly have been synonymous ever since Truman Capote’s sparklingly fun and romantic comedy was adapted into a film. Holly is a delightfully quirky New York girl who is determined to marry a Brazilian millionaire. George Peppard, on the other hand, plays a writer living next door, “sponsored” by the wealthy Patricia Neal. It’s easy to guess who is truly the one for Holly. Their blossoming romance is one of the film’s deliciously captivating storylines.

Published: August 22, 2024

La vie de bohème

Aki Kaurismäki’s adaptation of Henri Murger’s novel Scènes de la vie de bohème, filmed in France and in French, tells the story of three artists – Albanian painter Rodolfo (Matti Pellonpää), writer Marcel Marx (André Wilms), and composer Schaunard (Kari Väänänen) – and their struggles and friendship amidst the complexities of the bohemian artist’s life and poverty. Rodolfo falls in love with Mimi (Evelyne Didi), but is later deported when his residence permit expires. Later, Rodolfo returns illegally and reunites with Mimi, but the often harsh realities of bohemian life continue to challenge their romance. Mimi falls gravely ill, and the three artists do everything they can to raise the money needed for her care. During a visit to Mimi in the hospital, she asks Rodolfo to go outside and pick some flowers. When Rodolfo returns to the room, Mimi has already passed away. Rodolfo informs his waiting friends outside that he wants to be alone and walks away.

Director:
Aki Kaurismäki

Starring:
Matti Pellonpää
André Wilms
Kari Väänänen

The film won the 2007 Jussi Award for Best Direction.

Published: February 8, 2024

Tyttö sinä olet tähti

The Perfect Daughter of the Perfect Family, Nelli, dreams of a singing career, even though her parents hope for her to become a doctor. Nelli seeks the help of Sunne, a hip-hop DJ who fears women but is unwavering when it comes to his music. However, their shared passion for music brings these talented young individuals closer than either of them intended – setting the stage for a critically acclaimed romantic comedy.

The film won the following Jussi Awards:

Best Music: Jukka Immonen
Best Film: Aleksi Bardy, Riina Hyytiä, Olli Haikka, and Dome Karukoski

Published: January 31, 2024

The Breakfast Club

Shermer High School, Saturday, March 24th, 1984. Five students have been sentenced to detention, under the supervision of Principal Vernon, for the entire long day. Claire Standish, Andrew Clark, John Bender, Brian Johnson, and Allison Reynolds are completely different young individuals who have had no interaction with each other, but the long day changes everything, turning them into best friends.

Published: January 10, 2024

The Unknown Soldier (1985)

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

Published: January 9, 2024

Koirankynnen leikkaaja

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

Published: January 5, 2024

Menolippu Mombasaan

The movie tells the story of a talented 17-year-old guitarist named Pete, who gets the opportunity to join a music band but conceals his intentions due to studying for his high school graduation exams. Pete suddenly falls ill with cancer and is hospitalized, where he befriends his roommate Jusa, who is also battling with cancer. Together, they decide to escape from the hospital. At this point, Kata enters the picture, who’s romantically involved in both boys’ lives.

The film was awarded the Audience Choice for Best Film at the Jussi Awards.

Published: December 29, 2023

Täällä Pohjantähden alla

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.

Published: December 28, 2023

Kulkuri ja joutsen

After the war, Finnish entertainment legends Tapio Rautavaara and Reino Helismaa live the life of touring entertainers, where glamour is distant but a bottle is close. Esa Pakarinen also joins their company. A rift between Rautavaara and Helismaa overshadows the men’s lives, almost until the latter’s death. This film depicting the music scene of the 40s and 50s is an important subject. In Koivusalo’s style, however, it’s more of a collection of stories than a cohesive drama.

Martti Suosalo won the Best Actor award at the Jussi Awards gala.

Published: September 8, 2023

Home Alone

“Home Alone” is a comedy film released in 1990, directed by Chris Columbus and produced by John Hughes. The film stars Macaulay Culkin as 8-year-old Kevin McCallister.

At the beginning of the movie, the McCallister family is getting ready for a Christmas vacation trip to Paris. With a large and bustling family, the preparations are hectic. Kevin, being the youngest in the family, often feels overlooked, and to make matters worse, he’s bullied. On Christmas morning, Kevin wakes up to realize that his family has hurriedly left for the airport and forgotten him at home because he fell asleep in his upstairs room. Initially, Kevin enjoys his newfound freedom and does everything he normally wouldn’t be allowed to do.

However, he soon discovers that his home has become the target of burglars, portrayed by Harry (Joe Pesci) and Marv (Daniel Stern). Kevin must now protect his home and come up with ways to keep the burglars at bay. He sets up traps and does everything he can to prevent the burglars from breaking in and causing havoc.

The movie follows Kevin’s adventures and clever tricks against the burglars, all the while his mother (Catherine O’Hara) desperately tries to return home and find her son. “Home Alone” is a funny comedy that combines family drama, humor, and suspense, and it’s a Christmas classic that many people watch every holiday season.

Screening rights for Home Alone 2 are also available!