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Published: September 10, 2024

Every Tom, Dick and Urpo

The letter, received by the Finnish National Radio’s phone-in program, hopes that in this era of Metoo and many other well-meaning campaigns, attention will be drawn to an unpleasant phenomenon, the use of the name “Urpo” as a synonym for idiot.

In this warm-hearted and humorous documentary, four men all called Urpo gather to reflect on the meaning and impact of their name in their lives. Will the use of Urpo still be decent in 2023? (Napafilms, 2023)

Note: The documentary is only available for viewing on Yle Areena, no physical copies are distributed.

Published: September 10, 2024

Strangers in the Dar

In this experimental short documentary, light pollution turns a glowworm’s love life into a nightmare. The film follows the glowworm’s struggle to find a mate in an environment where it’s no longer dark at night. The story of light and darkness unfolds on various levels, from the planetary to the microscopic, from the peace of nature to the pulse of urban life, and from artificial light to the green glow of the glowworm’s tail. Directed by Perttu Inkilä & Jenni Pystynen. (Source: Illume Oy, 2023)

Note: The documentary is only available for viewing on Yle Areena, no physical copies are distributed.

Published: August 20, 2024

How to Fix the World

How to Fix the World is a comprehensive and informative documentary about direct action in the 1990s and 2000s, directed by Jouko Aaltonen. In the documentary, anarchists, climate activists, and squatters openly share their experiences and link them to mainstream societal issues. Extensive archival material sheds light on the continuum of direct action in Finnish society. What do the free city, community, and agency mean? The documentary extensively explores various forms of citizen movements, from squatting to riots and nonviolent civil disobedience. The film portrays critiques of global capitalism, opposition to the discrimination of the Roma population, the downfall of the Stop the Graffiti movement, and today’s climate movement.

Note: The documentary is available only on Yle Areena; no physical copies are in distribution.

Published: August 19, 2024

How to Please

Iraqi Wed Al-Asad becomes stuck in the Finnish asylum system. He does his best to fulfill the desires of the machine-like labyrinth, but soon realizes that the only thing harder than getting in is getting out.

Note: The documentary is only available on Yle Areena; no physical copies are in distribution.

Published: February 8, 2024

Kansanvalta

Young poet Laura Eklund Nhaga is seeking meaningful ways to influence the surrounding world. She explores various forms of activism, understanding that each of them can be effective in its own way. Eklund Nhaga moves effortlessly from the steps of the Parliament House to British university poetry nights and to the Capitol. The documentary by Greenlit Productions examines some of the biggest questions of the present moment, such as global change, the rise of populism on social media, and grassroots movements. The film is audio-described. (Source: Yle Areena)

Note: Not available in DVD or Blu-ray format.

Published: January 8, 2024

Lyrics and Lace

Directed by Matti Ijäs, this stark comedy portrays itinerant poets and the agony of creation.

In a television interview, Tane Lintunen confesses that instead of finding subjects, a poet stumbles upon them: ‘As my old friend Maestro says – when truth walks towards you, skin it.’

The man embarks on an eventful poetry tour with the debut poet Tomi Rusko (played by Mikko Reitala), who comes from a university background. The poets read their poems and give lectures at various events. Lintunen teaches his colleague to observe women.

Paavo Pentikäinen received the Best Actor Jussi Award for his role.

Starring:
Paavo Pentikäinen
Mikko Reitala
Kristiina Elstelä
Irma Junnilainen

Published: January 2, 2024

Risto Räppääjä ja Sevillan saituri

Ricky Rapper is in for an astonishing surprise! He learns that he’s the future heir to a distant relative’s fortune. The miserly man residing in Seville has amassed a colossal wealth with grand castles, and soon all of it would belong to Ricky. Consequently, the rambunctious Ricky needs to be groomed into a sophisticated young gentleman whose behavior would befit even the court, but that’s not quite easy. However, Nelli starts to suspect that things aren’t quite as they seem and decides to take action. The grand, mysterious house where Ricky goes to meet his relative is filled with hair-raising secrets and peculiar servants. This delightful adventure pulls Aunt Peace, Elvi, and Lennart into thrilling twists and turns.

Published: November 23, 2023

The Unknown Soldier

Finnish garrison gets an order and their machine gun company is transported to the eastern border – soon, war becomes a reality again.

Directed by Aku Louhimies, The Unknown Soldier is the third film adaptation based on Väinö Linna’s classic novel. It describes the journey of a Finnish infantry unit in the Continuation War, that lasted three years. The film tells the story of Rokka, Kariluoto, Koskela, Hietanen, and their comrades – how fellowship, humor, and the will to survive unite men on their journey there and back. The war revolutionized the lives of both individual soldiers and those left behind on the home front, leaving its mark on the entire nation.

The film received significant recognition, winning four Jussi Gala trophies: Best Sound Design, Best Leading Actor, Best Editing, and Best Makeup Design.

Published: May 11, 2023

Le Havre

A small African boy ends up in the French port city of Le Havre in a shipping container full of other refugees. The boy manages to escape and while hiding from the authorities, he meets a shoe polisher who wants to help the boy get to his destination: London to his mother. At the same time, the shoe polisher’s wife is diagnosed with a serious illness.

The film won a remarkable six Jussi awards: Best Film, Best Direction, Best Supporting Actress, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, and Best Editing.

Published: May 11, 2023

Blue Corner (Haaveiden kehä)

The ring of dreams is about an ambitious and strict single father who hopes that his two sons will become professional boxers. The father believes that the older son Jamppa is going to continue forging his boxing career in the world. Little brother Kusti struggles with weight problems. Are the father’s wishes for top athlete sons really worth pursuing?

At the 2003 Jussi gala, the film won three awards: Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress and Best Music.