Playlist: love story

Published: March 14, 2024

Dogs Don’t Wear Pants

“Dogs Don’t Wear Pants” is a poignant and stark love story about the encounter between Juha (Pekka Strang) and Mona (Krista Kosonen) in the world of BDSM. Visually striking, J-P Valkeapää’s direction encompasses intense emotions and unexpected, dark humor.

Single father Juha lives as if in a dream, a prisoner of his past. Everything changes when he meets a peculiar woman, dominatrix Mona. A compelling connection sparks between Mona and Juha. Beyond the mundane, they have their world where Mistress Mona brings Juha’s suppressed emotions to life with violent means. Despite the pain, Juha desires more and goes further. Will this dangerous journey lead to ruin or enlightenment?

Highly acclaimed by the international press, the film has achieved unprecedented success at festivals worldwide. Premiering at Cannes Director’s Fortnight, “Dogs Don’t Wear Pants” has been showcased at various international film festivals including Karlovy Vary, Toronto, Busan, and London. Garnering recognition with numerous awards and distributed to theaters in 25 countries, “Dogs Don’t Wear Pants” has been widely praised and acclaimed.

Director: J-P Valkeapää

Starring:
Krista Kosonen
Pekka Strang
Ilona Huhta
Jani Volanen

The film brilliantly won six Jussi Awards:
Best Actor (Pekka Strang)
Best Cinematography (Pietari Peltola)
Best Music (Michal Nejtek)
Best Sound Design (Micke Nyström)
Best Editing (Mervi Junkkonen)
Best Makeup Design (Aija Beata Rjabovska)

Published: February 29, 2024

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.

Published: February 22, 2024

The Prince of Soap

Ilona is a penniless amateur actor who, due to a misunderstanding, ends up working for the scriptwriting team of a soap opera. At the company’s party, she falls for the lead actor of the series, Kalle, and begins writing scenes based on the existing situation. The series producer, Raakel, becomes jealous of Kalle, and soon Ilona and Raakel engage in a battle for the heart of the leading star through the script. In this whirlwind, Kalle’s reality and the series intertwine, and the soap opera is ready! It’s outrageously funny!

Starring:
Pamela Tola
Mikko Leppilampi
Outi Mäenpää
Teijo Eloranta

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 4, 2024

Odotus

Thirty-something Elli lives in an idyllic and secluded archipelago with her husband Mikko as the pandemic spreads worldwide. Elli’s life is shaken when her teenage love, Olavi, Mikko’s old college friend, arrives for a visit from France.

Published: September 14, 2023

Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride

“Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride” is a stop-motion animated film released in 2005, telling the story of Victor, a young man who is about to enter into an arranged marriage with a young woman named Victoria. However, Victor accidentally marries a deceased bride, Corpse Bride, while practicing his wedding vows in the forest. In the film, Corpse Bride is named Emily.

Guided by Emily, Victor finds himself in the world of the dead, portrayed in the movie as a dark and surreal place. Victor soon realizes that the world of the dead is very different from the world of the living, and he tries to find a way back to the living. At the same time, he learns more about Emily and her tragic fate.

The film features many adventures and musical numbers and explores themes such as love, death, and hope. Ultimately, the movie concludes with a romantic and touching ending that brings happiness to most of the characters.

“Corpse Bride” embodies Tim Burton’s typical style, known for its dark and fantastical aesthetics, and it has received praise for its animation, characters, and music.

Published: August 11, 2023

Supernova

The story follows a middle-aged couple, Sam (Colin Firth) and Tusker (Stanley Tucci), who embark on a journey through the English Lake District. Their journey’s purpose is to spend time together and enjoy the beautiful landscapes. However, behind their journey lies a deeper meaning.

Tusker is in the early stages of dementia, and the couple knows that their time together is limited. They face difficult decisions and emotions during their journey as they grapple with the effects of the illness on their lives and relationship.

The film chronicles Sam and Tusker’s intimate journey as they confront the ghosts of the past, the depth of their love, and the fear of loss. Their relationship and affection are put to the test as they try to find ways to confront future challenges and enjoy their time together as much as possible.

“Supernova” is a touching tale of love, loss, and human vulnerability. At the heart of the film are the powerful performances of Colin Firth and Stanley Tucci, along with a story that delves into profound and universal themes.

Published: August 7, 2023

Bambi

The movie is based on Felix Salten’s novel of the same name, “Bambi: A Life in the Woods.” It tells the coming-of-age story and adventures of a young white-tailed deer named Bambi in the forest.

The film begins with Bambi’s birth. He meets other forest animals, such as a skunk, a rabbit, and a wise owl. Bambi learns about the challenges and dangers of life in the forest, e.g. hunting.

The movie follows Bambi’s growth into adulthood and the challenges he faces. Bambi also falls in love with another young deer, and their friendship and life together become a central part of the story.

However, life in the forest is not always easy. A tragic event deeply affects Bambi, and he must learn to cope with loss and difficulties. Nevertheless, Bambi finds strength and courage as he takes on the role of the forest’s king.

Bambi is a touching film that explores the beauty of nature and its cycles, friendship, and the diversity of life. It is one of Disney’s most iconic and beloved classics, leaving a lasting impact on the world of animation and touching generations around the globe.

Published: August 3, 2023

Peter Pan

Peter Pan is an animated film produced by Walt Disney, based on J.M. Barrie’s play and story of the same name. It tells the story of Peter Pan, who is stuck in eternal youth and lives in a fantasy world called Neverland, where he enjoys adventures with his friends, such as the Darling children and Tinker Bell. Peter Pan can fly, and one night, he takes three children to Neverland to help them escape the burden of growing up.

On their journey, they encounter Captain Hook, the leader of the pirates, who seeks revenge against Peter Pan. The children also meet the Lost Boys, Native Americans, and the fierce Tiger Lily, who protects the inhabitants of Neverland. Throughout the film, the children and Peter Pan experience many exciting adventures. The movie addresses childhood, adulthood, friendship, love, and dreams. It emphasizes the importance of imagination and playfulness in life, as well as the significance of growing up.

Peter Pan is a classic adventure film that has enchanted generations with its unforgettable characters and story.

Published: June 15, 2023

Lady and the Tramp

“Lady and the Tramp” is a Disney animated film that tells the beloved story of Lady, an aristocratic and beautiful but lonely princess dog, and Tramp, a charming and free-spirited stray dog. The story begins with Lady, who feels like an outsider in her life. One day, she meets Tramp, who helps her escape the misery and boredom of the city. A special bond develops between them as they experience adventures together, and Lady learns to see the world in a different way.

Lady and the Tramp encounter many obstacles on their journey. They have to face cruel dog catchers, dangerous dogs, and other hardships. At the same time, they also discover the seed of romance in their hearts. They share a romantic dinner in a famous restaurant, and in the film’s most famous scene, they share a heartwarming moment while eating a shared plate of spaghetti. Eventually, their journey leads Lady back home, but this story remains forever in their hearts.

This is a classic film that has enchanted audiences for decades with its story of love, adventure, and life’s little joys. The film emphasizes overcoming prejudices and bringing together different worlds, leaving the viewer pondering how small moments can change the course of life and bring together people who are meant for each other.