Subject: history

Raiders of the Lost Ark

Julkaistu:

“Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark” is an adventure film released in 1981, directed by Steven Spielberg and produced by George Lucas. The movie follows the adventures of the archaeologist Indiana Jones as he tries to find the legendary archaeological treasure before it falls into the wrong hands, especially the Nazis’. The film combines action, adventure, historical mysteries, and humor. It became a huge success and a cult classic. Harrison Ford portrays the lead role of Indiana Jones, and the movie’s iconic scene where Indy dodges a large boulder is one of the most famous moments in film history.

The film won four Academy Awards:
Best Sound Editing – Richard L. Anderson, Ben Burtt
Best Visual Effects – Richard Edlund, Kit West, Bruce Nicholson, Joe Johnston
Best Sound Mixing – Bill Varney, Steve Maslow, Gregg Landaker, Roy Charman
Best Editing – Michael Kahn

Sukunsa viimeinen

Julkaistu:

“The Last of the Line” tells the story of change, upbringing, and the theft of identity. Set on the Jamal Peninsula during the Soviet era, the film is based on true events in director Anastasia Lapsui’s childhood environment.

A young Nenets girl named Neko is forcibly taken from her home to a boarding school in a Russian village against her will. Forced into a foreign culture and new customs, Neko rebels against Russification and becomes the target of bullying by her classmates and scrutiny from her teachers. Together with a Nenets boy from the same school, Neko escapes to return to the safety of her own family and familiar customs. However, their escape across the wintry tundra is short-lived, and the inevitable return to school and new Russian life is unavoidable.

The film’s story is told through the memories of an elderly Neko. School has taught her much new knowledge, and Russian culture has become a natural part of her. But something important has permanently changed; as the last representative of her family, Neko has grown estranged from her own roots and lost the ability to continue her family’s age-old traditions.

Directors:
Markku Lehmuskallio and Anastasia Lapsui

Starring:
Aleksandra Okotetto
Nadezhda Pyrerko
Anastasia Lapsui
Jevgeni Hudi

Punk – tauti joka ei tapa

Julkaistu:

The overall tone of the film is as energetic as punk itself. The movie depicts youth, specifically two generations of youth from the 1970s-80s and the present-day punk scenes. We follow a band formed by four young people from the Tampere region, witnessing their journey through gigs, successes, and setbacks. The film features both old and new punk music, along with intriguing archival footage from the early days of punk veterans. “Punk – A Disease That Doesn’t Kill” is a compelling and engaging documentary about Finnish punk, entertaining yet not toothless or bland.

Director:
Jouko Aaltonen

Starring:
Andy McCoy
Severi Helle
Pelle Miljoona
Pantse Syrjä

Note: The documentary is no longer available on Blu-ray or DVD.

Madam President

Julkaistu:

In the documentary “Madam President,” we follow the everyday life of Finland’s first female president for nearly a year and a half, up until the end of her term. “Madam President” is a film about Finland, about the president as a leader, and the brisk woman behind the institution.

The production team of the film accompanies President Halonen in Finland and abroad, in cabinets and leisure. The documentary captures the routine and celebration from November 2010 to early March, when President Halonen handed over power to her successor. In “Madam President,” the viewer is present in situations never seen before moments just before significant public events and afterward, journeys and transitions, and all the tasks that constitute the work.

Director:
Aleksi Bardy

Starring:
Tarja Halonen
Pentti Arajärvi
Eila Nevalainen
Heli Sariola

Note: No longer available on Blu-ray or DVD distribution.

Saving Private Ryan

Julkaistu:

The story begins on the historical “D-Day” during World War II. An American unit receives a perilous special mission after the landing. Captain John Miller is tasked with taking his men behind enemy lines to find Private James Ryan, whose three brothers have already perished in battle. The men question the success of this extremely dangerous mission. Why should eight men risk their lives to save one soldier? Amid the madness of war, each of them must seek their answers—and muster the courage to confront the ruthless and demanding face of war.

The film won five Academy Awards in 1999:

Best Director: Steven Spielberg
Best Sound Editing: Gary Rydstrom and Richard Hymns
Best Sound Mixing: Gary Rydstrom and Gary Summers
Best Cinematography: Janusz Kamiński
Best Film Editing: Michael Kahn

Käsky

Julkaistu:

Recently returned to Finland from training in Germany, young jäger Aaro Harjula witnesses cruel events. As an idealist, he believes that he can promote legality and the realization of justice through his actions, so he reluctantly sets out to take the red female prisoner, Miina Malini, to a court he believes in. Miina and Jäger Harjula find themselves on a journey to a deserted island. Their shared experience changes and deepens their relationship. “The Court Martial” is Harjula’s coming-of-age story. The world, divided into good and evil, right and wrong, gains more nuances. Harjula meets the reputable Emil Hallenberg and believes that this man will surely make a fair decision regarding Miina.

Director:
Aku Louhimies

Starring:
Pihla Viitala
Samuli Vauramo
Eero Aho

The film was awarded the Jussi Award for Best Cinematography.

Ganes

Julkaistu:

Remu grows up in humble conditions. As a teenager, he drops out of school and becomes a criminal by profession. The fate of the family is unfolding, and the expected story is looming: prison, alcoholism, and a violent death. However, when Remu encounters rock music, he becomes inspired, especially when he realizes that even black people have succeeded with rock in America. Remu learns to play the drums and inserts himself into various bands. However, the bands are wary of Remu’s straightforward approach and fear his reputation. His first trip to prison interrupts his musical career. Upon his release, Remu forms his own band, which he names Hurriganes. With persistence, Remu styles and trains the band to top form. Through tenacity and even unconventional methods, Remu gets his band to work together, and their popularity begins to grow. However, before the final breakthrough, Remu must come to terms with the ghosts of his past.

Director:
JP Siili

Starring:
Eero Milonoff
Jussi Nikkilä
Olavi Uusivirta
Timo Tikka

The film won awards for Best Production Design and Best Costume Design at the Jussi Gala.

Paavo, a Life in Five Courses

Julkaistu:

Finnish farm boy Paavo Turtiainen is hired into the Parisian household of Swedish theatre producer Lars Schmidt and his wife, actress Ingrid Bergman. The couple “adopts” and trains Paavo to navigate among the rich and famous. Later on, Paavo becomes the personal secretary for Schmidt and Bergman. His responsibilities include building up the personal archives of both Schmidt and Bergman. Ms. Bergman’s archives are now at the film archives of Wesleyan University and Schmidt’s archives are in the United States Library of Congress. After Schmidt and Bergman divorce Paavo decides to settle permanently in New York. His first clients are friends of Schmidt: celebrities and business personalities Paavo has met while working in Paris and on Dannholmen, a Swedish island owned by Schmidt. Eventually, Paavo becomes an acclaimed chef and event planner for high society. Along the way, he has learned to stand on his own feet.

Golda

Julkaistu:

Golda is a portrait of a unique woman and leader, Israel’s first and so far only female Prime Minister Golda Meir (portrayed by Oscar-winning Helen Mirren, The Queen). The film focuses on the difficult duties and decisions Meir faces as she navigates Israel through the 1973 Yom Kippur War. On October 6, 1973, Israel’s holiest day during Ramadan, an alliance of Egyptian and Syrian forces launched a surprise attack on the Sinai Peninsula and the Golan Heights. Known as Israel’s Iron Lady, Prime Minister Golda Meir battles against time, with millions of human lives at stake on both sides of the conflict. Struggling with impossible choices, Golda leads her people alone through an uncertain era, frustrated by the constant internal conflicts of her male-dominated government.

Amsterdam

Julkaistu:

The year is 1933. In the aftermath of the First World War, wounded war veteran friends, Dr. Burt Berendsen, who employs unconventional methods, and attorney Harold Woodsman find themselves accused of murder when their shared clients, a United States senator and his daughter, die. The duo must uncover the true culprit behind the deaths and clear their names. “Amsterdam” is loosely based on real events surrounding the Business Plot conspiracy, where an attempt was made to overthrow U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and replace him with a dictator.