Subject: finnish

Published: February 9, 2024

Emperor’s Secret

“The Emperor’s Secret,” completed in 2006, is Finland’s first full-length computer-animated film set in a fantasy world. Although the movie features caricatures of politicians from the “Itsevaltiaat” TV series, it is not directly related to the series’ plot. The story revolves around a small village’s battle against an evil emperor.

The film was directed by Riina Hyytiä, and among its voice actors are Mika-Ala Panula, Anna Bentley, and Jukka Puotila. There are many characters, with several recognizable as Finnish politicians. “The Emperor’s Secret” was produced by Helsinki Film and Anima Vitae Oy.

Published: February 1, 2024

Urpo & Turpo – Johtolangan jäljillä

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.

Published: January 16, 2024

Ella ja kaverit 2: Paterock

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).

Published: January 12, 2024

Christmas Story

“Joulutarina” is a Finnish Christmas film released in 2007. The film was directed by Juha Wuolijoki. The story is set in a small Finnish village during Christmas and revolves around a family struggling to find the joy and meaning of Christmas amidst difficulties.

The main character in the film is Nikolas, a young boy whose parents have passed away. Nikolas lives with his grandmother and her daughter Luovi. The village is going through tough times, with many families facing financial difficulties. Nikolas decides to do something special by giving a gift to every child in the village for Christmas.

Nikolas embarks on a snowy journey towards the north, encountering various people and adventures along the way. He receives help from a mysterious character named Iisakki, who shows him the way to the magic of Christmas. Nikolas shares his gifts during his journey, bringing joy to everyone he meets.

The film’s atmosphere is warm and Christmassy, emphasizing community, generosity, and helping others. Watching “Joulutarina” has become a part of many Finnish families’ Christmas traditions, and it has received praise for its visual beauty, touching story, and atmospheric music.

Jussi Awards:
Best Cinematography: Mika Orasmaa
People’s Choice Award

Published: January 11, 2024

Paratiisin lapset

The title “Paradise’s Children” tells the story of three generations of women: Eva, her mother, the laundress Hartikainen, and her daughter Päivikki. The central character in this lighthearted comedy is the forty-year-old businesswoman Eeva Salminen. Strong-willed and ambitious, Eeva is a Sunday child who determinedly climbs the social ladder. Her dream is the construction of the ultimate building, the spa hotel Paradiso Baltica. Along her journey, Eeva encounters greedy bureaucrats and other predators who want their share of the project, but Eeva has means she is willing to use without asking for a price.

The film is directed by Rauni Mollberg.

Starring:
Tatjana Vasileva
Helge Herala
Heikki Kinnunen
Pertti Sveholm
Taru Valkeapää

Published: January 10, 2024

Milka

“Milka – A Film about Taboos” tells the story of a young girl awakening to her sexuality in a village community in Lapland. The film is based on Timo K. Mukka’s story “Tabu” (1965). On a personal level, Milka narrates the relationship between two women: a mother and her daughter. Ojanen, also known as Kristus-Perkele (Christ-Devil), a widowed mother’s helper, is a headstrong, independent laborer and skilled carpenter whom Milka admires. By impregnating Milka and making her a mother, he simultaneously ends both the girl’s childhood and the mother’s hopes of marriage with a new carpenter. When Ojanen disappears, a man takes his place in Milka’s life—a stable figure symbolized by a dark green overcoat and horn-rimmed glasses—the church organist, whom the mother has reluctantly accepted due to a lack of better options. With the arrival of the child and a new life, Milka’s relationship with the village community also undergoes changes.

Starring:
Irma Huntus
Matti Turunen
Leena Suomu

Jussi Award:
Best Producer – Rauni Mollberg

Published: January 10, 2024

Pretty Good for a Human

“Pretty Good for a Human” takes viewers into the midst of life in a Finnish small town in the 1920s. By following the diverse inhabitants of a wooden block, the film constructs a humorous and heartwarming portrayal of an era as seen through the eyes of ordinary people.

Starring:
Olavi Ahonen
Lauri Arajuuri

Jussi Awards:
Best Producer: Rauni Mollberg
Best Actor: Toivo Mäkelä
Best Actress: Raili Veivo
Best Actress: Irma Seikkula
Best Direction: Rauni Mollberg

Published: January 10, 2024

Maa on syntinen laulu

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

Published: January 9, 2024

Ajomies

A windy summer for a trackmaster. The trackmaster works amidst great forces, heavy machinery, and unpredictable animals, mastering them all. However, one summer involved greater forces – the emotions, both his own and others’.

The driver, played by Matti Laine, lives a quietly steady life: he works at the racetrack, is married, and enjoys sauna sessions at the cottage. After the summer, a move is on the horizon, and the man should train Marita (Elina Ylisuvanto), a vibrant woman, to be the new driver of the starting car. Emotions run high at the racetrack, but having two women in his life becomes overwhelming, leaving an undeniable choice before him.

The movie, executed in every aspect with elegance, unfolds at the Pilvenmäki racetrack. It portrays both the mundane and dramatic setting for the protagonist’s subtly depicted internal struggle.

Towards the end, a revelation in the story offers a new, unexpected perspective on the man’s situation. Passi and Laine navigate stylishly to the resolution, where emotions and reason grapple. Humor and wisdom are brought into the film, especially through the character played by Tapio Aarre-Ahtio.

Director: Jarkko T. Laine, J-P Passi

Starring:
Matti Laine
Elina Ylisuvanto
Tapio Aarre-Ahtio

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