Subject: finnish

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Ajomies elokuvan juliste.

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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

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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

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Emmauksen tiellä

Rane returns to his hometown after 20 years and faces his memories and choices. The story, accompanied by popular songs, unfolds along the rural roads. The film breaks traditional storytelling by employing meta-cinematic techniques. The actors repeatedly refer to the film’s script, describing their characters and dramatic choices directly to the camera.

Sanna-Kaisa Palo won the Best Supporting Actress Jussi Award.

Starring:
Puntti Valtonen
Peter Franzén
Aake Kalliala

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The Last Wedding

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

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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

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Ystäväni Henry

The story revolves around the secrets and traumas of 12-year-old Elsa and Henry, as well as their families, but also delves into themes of friendship, acceptance, and love.

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Täällä Pohjantähden alla II

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:

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.

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Kaksipäisen Kotkan varjossa

Kaksipäisen Kotkan varjossa (transl. “Shadow of the Eagle” is a Finnish film set in the early 1910s, depicting a historical period in Finland, particularly the events of the Civil War. The movie follows the story of two young men, Oskari Tokoi and Toivo Parikka, who find themselves on opposite sides of the political and ideological divide during the conflict of that time.

Oskari is a member of the civil guard, while Toivo serves as a soldier in the Red Guards. Their friendship and personal bond are tested as they end up on opposing sides of the war. The film portrays the brutality of the war, friendship challenges, and the societal division among people during the Finnish Civil War.

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Sibelius

“Sibelius” is a story about the life and career of the great Finnish composer Jean Sibelius. The film follows Sibelius from his youth to adulthood, showcasing his musical achievements, and creative process, as well as his personal challenges and internal conflicts.

The movie takes the viewer through Sibelius’ life stages: the development of his youth and musical talent, artistic exploration, the significance of love and family, and his struggle with his own musical identity.