A B D F H I J K L M P R S T U V W Kaikki

Selected filmography

2013

Midsummer Night's Tango (Poski poskea vasten, 2013)
Blumenschein Viviane
Finland, Germany, Argentina
82 min

Basic Information Original language: Finnish, Spanish
Subtitle language: English, Swedish, German, Spanish
Genre: Documentary film
Oneliner: Argentinians discover Finnish tango
Synopsis: What starts off as a documentary about the stereotypes that are the basis for a culture –featuring the iconography of tango, soccer, and the city– later becomes a rich and moving fiction about the crossroads of culture. Three typical Buenos Aires tango fans set out on a trip to Finland to confirm what great filmmaker Kaurismäki said about tango being a Finnish creation. The trip begins as an almost menacing verbal challenge, and the result is not just another journey to discover the “cultural other” and its different habits, landscapes, and times. It ends up being also a manifest on the possibility of different cultures enriching each other while maintaining their traditions and even spreading them from one generation to the next. Midsommer Night Tango was shot in Buenos Aires and Finland, on roads and big cities, and it’s spoken in porteño, Finnish, and English –this crossroads make the film more likable and moving, honest and simple.
Trailer: http://www.gebrueder-beetz.de/en/productions/cheek-to-cheek?lang=en
Premiere: 11.04.2013, BAFICI 2013, Buenos Aires
Production country: Finland, Germany, Argentina
Filming country: Finland, Argentina
Credits Director: Blumenschein Viviane (also script)
Scriptwriter: Viviane Blumenschein
Cinematographer: Björn Knechtel
Sound recordist: Risto Hankala
Editor: Oliver Weiss
Screenings and awards Production Christian Beetz, Gebrueder Beetz Filmproduktion (GER)
Pertti Veijalainen, Illume Oy
Gema Juarez Allen, Gema Films (ARG)

Remembrance - A small movie about Oulu in the 1950's (Muisteja - Pieni elokuva 1950-luvun Oulusta, 2013)
von Bagh Peter
Finland
69 min

Basic Information Original language: Finnish
Subtitle language: Swedish, English
Genre: Documentary
Synopsis: Director, film historian, professor Peter von Bagh takes us on a stroll down the memory lane, to the 1950’s small-town Oulu, the town where he grew up. This extensive film essay utilizes a variety of archive materials: Film footage, still photos, paintings and other art works. The film paints a kaleidoscopic view of the arctic town and its spirit, awakening one youth, one era, one town magically. The movie is personal and local as well as general and universal.

Films by Peter von Bagh are award-winning works that have travelled around the world. World-renowned critic Jonathan Rosenbaum chose von Bagh’s film Helsinki, Forever as one of the 10 top movies of the first decade of the 21st century. Extensive retrospect programs of von Bagh’s films have been screened at for example in Rotterdam, Buenos Aires and Tromsø.

Trailer: http://muisteja.illume.fi/
Premiere: 13.04.2013, Oulu
Production country: Finland
Credits Director: von Bagh Peter
Scriptwriter: Peter von Bagh
Cinematographer: Arto Kaivanto
Sound designer: Martti Turunen
Editor: Petteri Evilampi
Screenings and awards

Royal Reds (Kuninkaan punikit, 2013)
Rustanius Seppo
Finland
58 min

Basic Information Genre: Documentary film
Oneliner: Finns in the British Murmansk Legion 1918-1919
Synopsis: A film about Finnish socialists who after the Civil War in 1918 fled to Soviet Union. Under the protection of Lenin, the men and their families joined the British Royal Navy 's 'Murmansk Legion', and so the Finns suddenly were in the eye of the wider political storm gripping all of Europe.

Production country: Finland
Credits Director: Rustanius Seppo (also script)
Scriptwriter: Timo Linnasalo, Olli Soinio, Seppo Rustanius
Cinematographer: Pekka Aine
Sound designer: Martti Turunen
Composer: Perttu Kivilaakso
Editor: Timo Linnasalo
Kertoja: Vuokko Hovatta
Kertoja: Antti Reini
Screenings and awards Production Venla Hellstedt, Illume Oy
Jouko Aaltonen, Illume Oy

2012

Dance Of Outlaws (Häätanssi, 2012)
El Aboudi Mohamed
Finland / Norway
82 min 20 sek

Basic Information Subtitle language: english
Genre: Documentary
Oneliner: A film about a Moroccan woman Hind, who doesn't officially exist, because she was raped as a teenager, but who refuses to give up dreams of motherhood, freedom and love.
Synopsis: A film about a woman who doesn’t exist. Moroccan Hind was raped and consequently denied an official identity – she has no other choice but to work as a prostitute and traditional wedding dancer, but despite the odds of her situation, refuses to give up her dream of dignity, motherhood and love.

This is a story of modern day outlaws, children of prostitutes, abandoned child brides and those who have had to escape to the fringes of patriarchal Moroccan society. Through the eyes of one young woman we see a life of constant struggle, but also a life free of the society's norms and boundaries. The woman in the centre of the film, Hind is both vulnerable and courageous as she tries to regain her life, her children and her mere right to live as an equal human being in the 21st century.

http://www.danceofoutlaws.com

, 7.8.2012, Locarno International Film Festival, Semaine de la critique
Production country: Finland / Norway
Filming country: Marocco
Screening formats BlueRay, 2K, DVD Credits Director: El Aboudi Mohamed (also script)
Cinematographer: Marita Hällfors
Sound recordist: Anne Tolkkinen
Sound designer: Martti Turunen
Composer: Juuso Hannukainen, Mikko Rajala
Editor: Erik Andersson
Screenings and awards Festivals: 06.08.2012 Locarno International Film Festival, Semaine de la critique Premio Zonta Club Locarno -prize, 21.09.2012 Helsinki International Film Festival, 22.09.2012 Nordisk Panorama, 06.11.2012 Arhus Filmfestival, 01.11.2012 CPH:DOX, competition for best Nordic non-fiction filmmaking, 16.12.2012 Dubai Film Festival, 25.01.2013 FIPA, Biarritz, France, 06.03.2013 Tampere Film Festival, 17.06.2013 Primed, 06.02.2013 Festival National du film, Tangier, Morocco
Production Timo Korhonen, Road Movies Ltd
Pertti Veijalainen, Illume Oy
Venla Hellstedt, Illume Oy
Co-production Torstein Grude, Piraya Film (NOR)

Dreams Deferred - Legacy of American Apartheid (Rotuerottelun perintö, 2012)
Davidow Joe
Suomi
90 min

Basic Information Original language: English
Subtitle language: Finnish
Genre: documentary film
Oneliner: Dreams Deferred - Legacy of American Apartheid is a film about the current state of mind in the US with a particular emphasis on African Americans and their position in the society.
Synopsis: Why African Americans remain outside the 'American Dream' despite
decades since the Civil Rights -movement victories? American Director
Joe Davidow explores systematic exclusion in the US from a European
viewpoint.
Trailer: http://dreamsdeferred.illume.fi
Premiere: 16.02.2012, 27.02.2012, YLE
Production country: Suomi
Filming country: USA
Credits Director: Davidow Joe (also script)
Scriptwriter: Joe Davidow
Cinematographer: Tahvo Hirvonen
Sound recordist: Mike Tyner
Sound designer: Heikki Innanen
Composer: Joe Davidow
Editor: Antony Bentley, Joe Davidow
Graphics: Pentti Kakkori
Screenings and awards Production Pertti Veijalainen, Illume Oy
Venla Hellstedt, Illume Oy

Leap (Hyppy, 2012)
Aaltonen Jouko
Finland
81 min

Basic Information Original language: English
Subtitle language: Finnish
Genre: Documentary film
Oneliner: A documentary film about faith
Synopsis: LEAP is a film about a disciple and his Guru and the choices that they make on their journey ofsurrender to God. LEAP is an adventure into the international and controversial Hare Krishna movement but also a film about religious experience in general.

The film documents the story of Keshava Madhava Das, a Finnish tram driver and a disciple, and his Guru Radhanath Swami, one of the movement’s most charismatic spiritual leaders based in India. Keshava started life as Kenneth, a lonely boy who witnessed his grandfather's death. His Guru was originally Richie, an American small town boy, who is now revered within the movement as a living saint.
Trailer: www.leapthefilm.com

Production country: Finland
Filming country: India, Finland
Credits Director: Aaltonen Jouko (also script)
Cinematographer: Marita Hällfors
Sound designer: Martti Turunen
Composer: Tapani Rinne
Editor: Samu Heikkilä
Graphics: Jari Koski
Screenings and awards Production Pertti Veijalainen, Illume Oy

Via Air (Kiitotie, 2012)
Rintala Elli
Finland
38 min

Basic Information Original language: finnish
Subtitle language: english
Genre: Documentary
Synopsis: Via air is a documentary film about an airport, a place between the sky and the earth. It tells the story of Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, from it's very first flights in the year 1952 until the present day.
Despite the past 60 years of expansion, it seems that the airport will never be finished. At the same time people are flying further and further and the world is getting smaller.
Via air looks at the past, present and future of this era of flying. Now the skies are open to us, but for how long?

Production country: Finland
Filming country: Finland
Credits Director: Rintala Elli (also script)
Cinematographer: Mika Vartiainen
Sound designer: Tuomas Skopa
Editor: Okku Nuutilainen
Screenings and awards Production Pertti Veijalainen, Illume Oy
Venla Hellstedt, Illume Oy

Virtual War (Virtuaalinen Sota, 2012)
Niskanen Pekka
Finland
58 min 28 sek

Basic Information Genre: Documentary film
Synopsis: Director starts to build up a virtual Chechnya in the internet Second Life site with the refugees scattered around Europe. Mikael is a businessman and activist helping Chechens to come into Finland and is therefore accused for trafficing people illegally. Mikael is also housing server of the disputed news agency Kavkaz Center putting the politicians aware. Hazman a Chehcen elderly lady keeps on uniting what is left of her family after two horrible wars. In Virtual War political figth, media manipulation, persons in conflict and different cultures mix. Virtual is often very real and war not virtual.
Premiere: 09.03.2012, Tampere Film Festival
Production country: Finland
Credits Director: Niskanen Pekka (also script)
Scriptwriter: Pekka Niskanen
Cinematographer: Timo Peltonen
Sound designer: Kimmo Vänttinen
Editor: Mikko Sippola ja Sanna Liinamaa
Screenings and awards Production Pertti Veijalainen, Illume Oy

2011

Battle for the City (Taistelu Turusta, 2011)
Aaltonen Jouko
Finland
76 min

Basic Information Original language: Finnish
Subtitle language: Swedish, English
Genre: Documentary
Oneliner: A film about a city in the past, present and the future, and to whom it belongs.
Synopsis: Turku is the oldest city in Finland. Its old distinguished buildings were destroyed in the modern fervour - businessmen, decision makers and architects were all involved. Why were they unable to treasure history? The film does not only deal with the past but follows the present-day activists and squatters too: why do they decide to take over buildings? To whom does the built space belong and who makes the decisions over it? The questions raised in film are topical not only in Turku, but also elsewhere in Europe and beyond.ownership of the city. What are the reasons behind the squatters? To whom does the built environment belong?
Trailer: http://www.turku2011.fi/en/node/1629
Premiere: 09.04.2011, Suomalaisen elokuvan festivaali, Turku
Production country: Finland
Filming country: Finland
Credits Director: Aaltonen Jouko
Scriptwriter: Jouko Aaltonen, Rauno Lahtinen, Olli Vesala
Cinematographer: Pekka Aine
Sound designer: Martti Turunen
Editor: Tuula Mehtonen
Screenings and awards Festivals: 09.04.2011 Turku European Capital of Culture 2011 commissioned programming / Finland, 12.06.2011 Midnight Sun Film Festival, Sodankylä 2011 / Finland, 08.09.2011 Finnish Film Festival, Turku 2011 / Finland, 19.08.2011 Rauma Blue Sea Festival 2011 / Finland, 24.01.2012 DocPoint 2012 / Finland

Frozen Hell - Prisoners of War in Finland 1941-42 (Jäämarssi - Suomen matkaopas 1941-42, 2011)
Suhonen Ville
Suomi
85 min

Basic Information Original language: Finnish
Subtitle language: English
Genre: Documentary
Oneliner: A documentary film about the POW concentration camps in Finland during the World War II
Synopsis: Frozen Hell, written and directed by Ville Suhonen, unravels a hidden episode during the most debated period in Finnish history. There were tens of thousands Soviet Red Army prisoners who were captured as POWs by Finnish forces during the second world war. The prisoners became pawns of the Finnish political and industrial elite, battling between wartime superpowers and economic demands. One third of the prisoners died in the camps' primitive conditions or were unlawfully executed. The film includes previously unseen archive material and it deals with the dark side of Finnish war history for the first time.

Trailer: http://www.jaamarssi.fi
Premiere: 20.09.2011, 20.09.2011, Love and Anarchy Helsinki International Film Festival 2011
Production country: Suomi
Screening formats Digibeta, BlueRay, DVD Credits Director: Suhonen Ville (also script)
Scriptwriter: Ville Suhonen
Cinematographer: Pekka Uotila
Sound designer: Kirka sainio
Editor: Tuuli Kuittinen
Translations: Tiina Kinnunen
Graphics: Jari Koski
Screenings and awards Festivals: 15.09.2011 Helsinki International Film Festival, Finland , 20.09.2011 Helsinki International Film Festival Love and Anarchy, Helsinki, Finland, 15.11.2011 Northern Character, Murmansk, Russia Best Documentary Film, 28.01.2012 Docpoint, Helsinki, 20.09.2011 Kotimaisen elokuvan viikko, Helsinki, 07.03.2012 Tampere Film Festival
Production Pertti Veijalainen, Illume Oy

Splinters - A Century of an Artistic Family (Lastuja - Taiteilijasuvun vuosisata, 2011)
von Bagh Peter
Finland
74 min

Basic Information Original language: Finnish
Subtitle language: English, Swedish
Genre: Documentary film
Oneliner: The story of an artistic family Aho-Soldan, whose influence has been important in Finnish art throughout decades of the 20th century.
Synopsis: Peter von Bagh's essay documentary is the story of an artistic family Aho-Soldan, whose influence has been important in Finnish art throughout decades of the 20th century. The film is a collage of many multi-faceted personalities enriching the lives of generations: Author Juhani Aho, with him and after him painter Venny Soldan-Brofeldt, cinematographers Heikki Aho and Björn Soldan and photographer Claire Aho. Through their life's work we find a method of the documentary: words, paintings, photographs and moving images. The total picture of culture, portrayed through all its circumstantial evidence.
Splinters is a story about mental tensions and the electric field of ideas and practise that lead to the rise of modern Finland. The film moves between different eras - things are repeated, they evolve, they emerge in a new form. Half a century of history of Finland and Finnish culture, very versatile.
Premiere: 28.08.2011, Helsinki Festival, Bio Rex
Production country: Finland
Filming country: Finland
Credits Director: von Bagh Peter (also script)
Sound designer: Martti Turunen
Editor: Petteri Evilampi
Screenings and awards Festivals: 24.01.2012 DocPoint 2012 / Finland, 25.01.2012 International Film Festival Rotterdam 2012 / Netherlands, 10.02.2012 Finnish Film Weekend in Museé D'Orsay 2012 / France, 11.04.2012 BAFICI 2012 / Buenos Aires
Production Jouko Aaltonen, Illume Oy

2010

Askelmerkkejä - series on Finnish dance (Askelmerkkejä, 2010)
Korhonen Anna
Finland

Basic Information Original language: Finnish

Production country: Finland
Filming country: Finland
Credits Director: Korhonen Anna (also script)
Cinematographer: Jyri Hakala
Screenings and awards Production Jouko Aaltonen, Illume Oy

Helsinki Twilight 1984 (Timanttikoirien vuosi 1984, 2010)
Hakkarainen Petri
Finland
76 min 45 sek

Basic Information Original language: Finnish, English
Subtitle language: Finnish, English
Oneliner: Helsinki Twilight 1984 - we became a new art form
Synopsis: Helsinki Twilight 1984 takes us back in time into the fascinating period of time between the years 1979 - 1985, when Helsinki, and the rest of Finland moved towards an increasingly diverse and free social climate, pioneering beautiful boys in makeup and fancy girls.

During this time, the new street-level phenomena such as small magazines, pirate radio and independent fashion began to blend into the society – new clubs were set up, new art forms were born - and finally people felt they were works of art themselves.
Premiere: 21.09.2010, R&A Helsinki International Film Festival
Production country: Finland
Filming country: Finland, Great Britain
Credits Director: Hakkarainen Petri (also script)
Scriptwriter: Petri Hakkarainen
Cinematographer: Arttu Peltomaa
Sound recordist: Erkka Vepsä
Sound designer: Pekka Hakala
Composer: Pekka Hakala
Editor: Kari Elovuori
Screenings and awards Festivals: 21.09.2010 Helsinki International Film Festival, 25.09.2010 Helsinki International Film Festival, 26.09.2010 Helsinki International Film Festival, 18.11.2010 Rokumentti Rock Film Festival, Joensuu, Finland, 19.11.2010 Rokumentti Rock Film Festival, Joensuu, Finland
Production Jouko Aaltonen, Illume Oy

Kansanmusiikkivideot (2010)
Metsola Mirja
Finland
15 min

Basic Information Original language: Finnish
Oneliner: Series of documentaries of Finnish traditional music
Synopsis: A series of short, intensive music videos that introduce the viewer to traditional folk music instruments.
The music is performed by the most brilliant Finnish folk musicians, who conjure up incredible sound collases from traditional Finnish folk instruments. The focus is on the interaction between the musician and the intsrument while playing. The musical instrument; its form and material, is unique and in a very intimate contact with the musician.
The dialetics of these two will be filmed againts a simple, dark background in a studio. Besides the musicians and their instruments, a glimmering microphone will remind the viewer of the outside world.
A folk musician never plays the piece in the same manner: every musical piece is being newly created upon performing. Tradition is the base for the performances, but an artist performing in the present is also able to part from the tradition and to interpret the piece in new, subtle ways.
The series of videos also shows how the past tones and instruments have found their way back to the vivid music culture. The series is a collaboration of Illume Ltd, The Sibelius Academy Department of Folk Music and the Central Committee of Folk Music and Dance.
Premiere: 11.01.2010
Production country: Finland
Filming country: Finland
Credits Director: Metsola Mirja (also script)
Scriptwriter: Heikki Laitinen and Mirja Metsola
Cinematographer: Timo Peltonen
Sound recordist: Marko Myöhänen
Editor: Samu Heikkilä
Screenings and awards Festivals: Oulu Music Video Festival 2010
Production Pertti Veijalainen, Illume Oy

PUDANA - Last of the Line (Sukunsa viimeinen, 2010)
Lehmuskallio Markku, Lapsui Anastasia
Finland
80 min 38 sek

Basic Information Original language: Nenets language
Subtitle language: English, Finnish
Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: Young nenets-girl Neko is taken against her will from her family's tepee to a boarding school in a Russian village. For the first time in her life Neko finds herself surrounded by a foreign language and culture, and rebels against the attempts to turn her into Russian. Bullied by her schoolmates and pressured by the teachers, Neko decides to run away and return to her family. She talks her fellow nenets boy Parasi from the school into fleeing with her. The children's flight in the icy forests and tundra is short-lived and the return to the school and their new Russian life inevitable.

The story is told through the memories of Neko. Now grown up she's concious of all the good school and studies gave her. But something essential has changed; Neko – the last of her family – has been alienated from her extincting heritage and has lost her ability to continue her family's ancient traditions for good.
Trailer: http://www.lastoftheline.fi/
Premiere: 18.02.2010, Berlinale 2010
Production country: Finland
Filming country: Russia
Screening formats 35mm, Digibeta Credits Director: Lehmuskallio Markku (also script) , Lapsui Anastasia (also script)
Scriptwriter: Anastasia Lapsui
Cinematographer: Johannes Lehmuskallio
Sound recordist: Sergei Zabenin
Sound designer: Pekka Karjalainen
Editor: Juho Gartz
Graphics: Juha Lassila
Screenings and awards Festivals: 18.02.2010 Berlinale Internationale Filmfestspiele Berlin, Germany, Theatrical release in Finland, 06.04.2010 Creteil International Women\\\'s Film Festival, France Best Fiction Feature Film - Grand Jury Award, 09.04.2010 Sami Film Festival 2010, Norway, Northern Lights Festival / UK, Montréal First Peoples' Festival 2010 / Canada, 24.04.2010 Naiskulttuuripäivät / Tampere, Finland, Polar Lights Arctic Film Festival / Russia Audience Award, Best Direction Award, 5th IFF "In the family circle", Yekaterinburg, Russia Best cinematographer award for Johannes Lehmuskallio, 00.07.2010 Festival International du Film de la Rochelle, France, 00.04.2011 Izhevsk Film Week, 06.09.2010 7th International Women's Film Festival in Rehovot, Israel, 23.10.2010 54th BFI London Film Festival / UK, Kaunas International Film Festival 2010, Lithuania, 31.10.2010 Chicago International Children's Film Festival / USA, 13.11.2010 Noordelijk Film Festival, The Netherlands, 18.11.2010 European Minority Film Festival, Husum, Denmark, 16.11.2010 Scanorama European Film Forum 2010, Lithuania, 00.01.2011 Festival Ciné Junior / France, 00.00.2010 Blue Sea Film Festival / Rauma, Finland 2010, 00.00.2011 Finnish Film Week in Moscow / Russia 2011, 00.03.2011 Cape Winelands Film Festival / South Africa 2011, 00.03.2011 Festival International de Films de Femmes / Kiev, Ukraine 2011, 06.02.2011 Recontres de Manosque, France
Production Jouko Aaltonen, Illume Oy
Pertti Veijalainen, Illume Oy

2009

A Man from the Congo River (Kongon Akseli, 2009)
Aaltonen Jouko
Finland
52 min 46 sek

Basic Information Original language: Finnish
Subtitle language: English
Genre: Documentary film
Oneliner: A documentary about Nordic machinists on the River Congo.
Synopsis: The documentary is studying the little known story of Nordic machinists working on the river boats on the Congo River. Professionals were hired on lucrative salaries from Finland and Sweden and they had to give an oath of fidelity to the King of Belgium. Sailors from the North met a new reality in the heart of the Black Africa where the colonial economy was based on slavery and compelled work. In private letters home we can follow how the men from equalitarian North gradually change adapting into the racist system. Con-crete personal tool and symbol of the regime was a whip made of the skin of hippopotamus. First terrified by the brutality of the white oppressors Nordic sailors learned soon to use whip themselves. Film is adding an interesting chapter into the history of colonialism in Africa. It is important to tell this unknown colonial story with a common content of the moral choices of an individual.
, 29.09.2009, Finnish Institute in France
Production country: Finland
Filming country: Democratic Republic of the Congo
Screening formats Digibeta Credits Director: Aaltonen Jouko (also script)
Scriptwriter: Jouko Aaltonen, Seppo Sivonen
Cinematographer: Timo Peltonen
Sound designer: Martti Turunen
Composer: Tapani Rinne
Editor: Samu Heikkilä
Screenings and awards Festivals: 30.01.2010 DocPoint - Helsinki Documentary Film Festival, Zoom sur Jouko Aaltonen 2009, Finnish Institute in Paris / France, 01.09.2010 The 30th Nordic Anthropological Film Association (NAFA) International Film Festival, 30.09.2010 Viscult 2010, Joensuu, Finland, 24.09.2010 Sardinia international ethnographic film festival, 08.10.2010 Etnia Film Festival, Turku, Finland
Production Pertti Veijalainen, Illume Oy

Iceberg Shadow (Jäävuoren varjoon, 2009)
Seppänen Antti
Finland
57 min 19 sek

Basic Information Original language: Finnish
Subtitle language: English
Genre: Documentary film
Synopsis: The director finds a boxful of 8 mm films with pictures from all over the world from a garage sale.

Night after night the thin strips of plastic lying in the box come to life. They are clearly filmed by the same person, but who has wanted to document all these moments? The calm after the storm, an oriental dancer, the mist in Machu Picchu – and a maggot eating a leaf, the neon signs screaming in Manhattan colours. The mysteriously quivering bustle of the extinct harbours. A million separately exposed frames. Somebody’s whole life and experiences for sale in a flea market.

The surprising discovery opens the door to a lost world and leads the viewer to a journey around the world and even further with a forgotten adventurer, an old sailor. While seeking the person behind the films the creator begins to wonder what will remain of us, when the results of decades’ commitment end up in a garage sale.
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_sb40S9mcI
, 03.09.2009, Kino K13
Production country: Finland
Filming country: Several countries
Screening formats Digibeta Credits Director: Seppänen Antti (also script)
Scriptwriter: Antti Seppänen
Cinematographer: Based on Oiva Kovanen's 8 mm film materials, video and still photography by Teemu Liakka and Antti Seppänen
Sound designer: Kimmo Vänttinen
Composer: Antti Kokkola and Kimmo Mustonen
Editor: Antti Seppänen and Samu Heikkilä
Screenings and awards Festivals: 03.09.2009 Kino K13, Helsinki, 07.11.2009 Nordic Film Days Lübeck, 08.11.2009 Nordic Film Days Lübeck, 22.11.2009 Nordox Film Festival, Beijing, China, 25.11.2009 Nordox Film Festival, Beijing, China, 24.11.2009 Maailman hienoimmat elokuvat -event, 27.01.2010 DocPoint - Helsinki Documentary Film Festival, 31.01.2010 DocPoint - Helsinki Documentary Film Festival, 04.02.2010 DocPoint Film Festival - Best Finnish Documentary Films at Malmitalo, Nordic Film Days Lübeck 2009 / Germany, 22.09.2010 Sardinia International Ethnographic Film Festival, The Finnish Instute in Paris, France
Production Pertti Veijalainen, Illume Oy

Within Limits (Liikkumavara, 2009)
Grof Annika
Finland
87 min

Basic Information Original language: Finnish
Subtitle language: English
Genre: Documentary film
Synopsis: Within Limits enters to the core of the Finnish decision making as for a few hectic months four MPs are being followed in the Parliament of Finland.

In the spring 2008 the Finnish government proposes a major raise of 16% in the daycare and health care fees starting an emotive tug-of-war in the social affairs and health committee. The documentary follows how the bill, despite the strong opposition, cannot eventually be bent before anybody or anything. As one of the MPs in the film states: “regular people don’t understand anything about it - and they don’t need to.” Or should they?
Premiere: 23.01.2009, Bio Rex
Production country: Finland
Filming country: Finland
Screening formats DVD, BetaSP, 2K Credits Director: Grof Annika (also script)
Scriptwriter: Annika Grof ja Janina Kokkonen
Cinematographer: Anssi Leino
Sound recordist: Martti Turunen
Sound designer: Martti Turunen
Composer: Ville Riippa
Editor: Pauliina Punkki
Screenings and awards Screenings on TV: 11.02.2009 YLE TV2 Documentary project, 15.02.2009 YLE TV2 Documentary project
Festivals: 23.01.2009 DocPoint Helsinki Documentary Film Festival, 05.03.2009 Tampere Film Festival the Main Prize of the Finnish Competition in the over 30 minutes cathegory, Audience Award for the best Finnish film, State Quality Support 2009, 21.11.2009 Arctic & Fabulous, Jussi-candidacy 2009 for the Best Documentary and Best music, M:DOX 2009 / Sweden, 15.10.2010 Erasmus EuroMedia Award 2010 Special Awards for Discourse and Politics
Production Pertti Veijalainen, Illume Oy

2008

Helsinki, Forever (Helsinki, Ikuisesti, 2008)
von Bagh Peter
Finland
74 min 25 sek

Basic Information Original language: Finnish
Subtitle language: English, Swedish
Genre: Documentary film
Oneliner: City Symphony, a montage film on the city of Helsinki
Synopsis: Helsinki, forever is a montage film on the city of Helsinki by the award-winning Finnish film director and academic Peter von Bagh. The film draws a portrait of Helsinki and also acts as an essay on Finnish culture in a wider sense. It shows Helsinki as captured by leading Finnish feature film and documentary makers over a period of a hundred years.
Premiere: 15.08.2008, Helsinki Festival
Production country: Finland
Filming country: Finland
Screening formats DVD, BetaSP, 35mm Credits Director: von Bagh Peter (also script)
Cinematographer: Several famous Finnish cinematographers
Sound designer: Martti Turunen
Composer: Several famous Finnish composers, eg George de Godzinsky
Editor: Petteri Evilampi
Assistant director: Anna Korhonen
Speakers:: Erja Manto and Sulevi Peltola
Screenings and awards Screenings on TV: 25.12.2008 YLE TV1
Festivals: 15.08.2008 Helsinki Festival, 31.08.2008 Helsinki Festival, 06.09.2008 Laterna Magica Festival, 25.01.2009 DocPoint Helsinki Documentary Film Festival, 21.11.2008 Kallio Kipinöi -cultural week, 04.03.2009 Tampere Film Festival, 19.11.2009 NICE Festival, Liverpool, UK, 26.11.2009 Cinematheque Ontario, Canada, 28.10.2009 Cinemateca Portuguesa, Aye Aye Film Festival, Le Giornate del Cinema Muto, Italy, 26.11.2009 Maailman hienoimmat elokuvat -event, Pordenone Silent Film Festival 2009 / Italy, Tiburon International Film Festival 2010, NWFilmForum Seattle 2010 and European Film Festival Chicago 2010 / USA, Finnish Film Week 2010 / Russia, Jeonju International Film Festival 2010 / South Korea, 08.10.2010 Lumière 2010 - Grand Lyon Film Festival, 17.10.2010 DocLisboa International Film Festival, Portugal, 14.09.2010 Public film screening 'Memory and the City' as part of 2010 Humanities Week, Seoul, Korea, 18.11.2010 21st Ljubljana International Film Festival, Slovenia, 19.11.2010 21st Ljubljana International Film Festival, Slovenia, 23.01.2011 ArchFilmMatinée, Vienna
Production Jouko Aaltonen, Illume Oy

Punksters & Youngsters (Punk - Tauti joka ei tapa, 2008)
Aaltonen Jouko
Finland
90 min

Basic Information Original language: Finnish
Subtitle language: English
Genre: Music documentary
Oneliner: A documentary film about punk that lives from generation to generation.
Synopsis: PUNKSTERS & YOUNGSTERS is a feature documentary that examines punk both as a musical and as a social movement. The documentary reflects the modern-day punk against the history and shows how punk has changed. The overall feeling is as energetic as punk itself. First and foremost, it’s a movie about youth – or actually two youths, the youth of the 1970’s punk generation and that of today. When Hanoi Rocks guitarist Andy McCoy, grandfather of Finnish Punk Pelle Miljoona and today’s megastars Eppu Normaali started their career, they were insecure youngsters who could hardly play an instrument. They were even younger than the members of Akupunktio and the energetic girl band Creepy Crawlie who represent today’s punk in the movie. The encounter of two generations is at times painful, at time fun and filled with humor. The DIY attitude of punk connects the generations both in music and as a way of life, anarchy with house squatting and demonstrations.

Trailer: www.punktautijokaeitapa.fi
Premiere: 08.03.2008, Pakkahuone, Tampere Film Festival
Production country: Finland
Filming country: Finland
Screening formats 35mm, Betacam Credits Director: Aaltonen Jouko (also script)
Cinematographer: Marita Hällfors
Sound recordist: Joonas Jyrälä, Miia Nevalainen, Paul Jyrälä, Marko Kataja
Sound designer: Joonas Jyrälä
Editor: Samu Heikkilä
Screenings and awards Screenings on TV: 11.11.2009 YLE TV2 Documentary Project, 15.11.2009 YLE TV2 Documentary Project
Festivals: 07.03.2008 Tampere Film Festival, 26.04.2008 Iiris Film Festival (Sodankylä / Finland), 26.05.2008 Metropolis Kino, Hamburg / Germany, 11.06.2008 Midnight Sun Film Festival (Sodankylä / Finla, 26.07.2008 Formoz Film Festival (Taiwan), 26.07.2008 Valkeakosken työväen musiikkitapahtuma (Valke, 22.08.2008 Blue Sea Film Festival (Rauma/Finland), 22.08.2008 Musixine, International music film contest (O Best Film, Arctic & Fabulous Film Festival 2008, Jyväskylä commendation, Rokumentti Rock Film Festival 2008, Joensuu, Arctic Fury 2008, Rovaniemi, 20.10.2009 Finnish Institute in Paris, France, 23.11.2009 Maailman hienoimmat elokuvat - event, Singapore International Film Festival 2009 / Republic of Singapore, Scanorama 2009 / Lithuania
Production Pertti Veijalainen, Illume Oy

Stone Pastures (Kivilaitumet, 2008)
Coleman Donagh
Finland / Ireland / UK
65 min

Basic Information Original language: Ladakh
Subtitle language: English, Finnish
Genre: Documentary film
Oneliner: Stone Pastures tells the story of a nomadic family living on the Himalayan plateau of Chanthang.
Synopsis: Stone Pastures tells the story of a nomadic family living on the Himalayan plateau of Chanthang. Father Sonam, mother Phuntsok, old uncle Tsewang, and the boys Padma and Kunsang struggle rearing goats that produce pashmina wool, the raw material for fineshawls. The family's survival depends on selling the wool to the dealer, who comes for business once a year. The dealer's money is also needed to pay for the boys' school fees. Education is seen as the way to a more comfortable settled life, but to his family's dismay, the eldest son Padma seems to have little interest in school books.
Premiere: 11/2008, Margaret Mead Festival, New York
Production country: Finland / Ireland / UK
Filming country: Tibet
Screening formats Digibeta, DVD Credits Director: Coleman Donagh (also script)
Scriptwriter: Donagh Coleman
Cinematographer: Timo Peltonen, Johannes Lehmuskallio, Donagh Coleman
Sound recordist: Pentti Venetjoki, Kimmo Vänttinen
Sound designer: Douglas Murray
Composer: Linda Buckley, Keith O’Brien
Editor: Breege Rowley
Screenings and awards Festivals: 16.11.2008 Margaret Mead Film Festival, New York, 22.01.2009 DocPoint - Helsinki Documentary Film Festival, 15.02.2009 Himalaya Film Festival, The Netherlands, 24.03.2009 Tartu Worldfilm Festival, 05.03.2009 Tampere Film Festival, 05.03.2009 Dialektus Festival, Budapest, 18.03.2009 Festival International Jean Rouch, Paris, Mead Traveling Film Festival 2009/ India, Les Diablerets Film Festival, 19.11.2009 Arctic & Fabulous, Cervino Cinemountain Film Festival 2009 - Grand Prix Cervino Cinemountain Conseil De La Valee / Italy, Dublin International Film Festival 2009 / Ireland, Kathmandu Film Festival 2009 / Nepal, London International Documentary Festival 2009 / UK, Yerevan International Film Festival 2009 / Armenia, 23.10.2010 New York Himalaya Film Festival, USA, 26.10.2010 New York Himalaya Film Festival, USA, 21.09.2010 Sardinian Ethnographic Film Festival, Nuoro, Italy, 01.09.2010 30th NAFA International Film Festival, 09.10.2010 European Buddhist Film Festival, The Netherlands, 20.11.2011 Münchner EthnoFilmFest, München Germany
Production Jouko Aaltonen, Illume Oy
Co-production Martha O'Neill, Wildfire Films (IRL)
Beverly Cook, Orchid Pictures (UK)

Victims 1918 (Uhrit 1918, 2008)
Rustanius Seppo
Finland
52 min

Basic Information Original language: Finnish
Subtitle language: English
Genre: Documentary film
Oneliner: Documentary about the victims of Finnish Civil War 1918 – executioners and executed.
Synopsis: The most traumatic event in Finnish history is the Civil War of 1918 between the Reds and the Whites. Finland had become independent a year earlier. The young nation was not spared the effects of the First World War or the Russian Revolution. Thousands of Finns were executed during and especially after the Civil War. Most of the executions were carried out by the victors. In this film this era of horror and terror is shown through the lives of two men - one an executioner, the other one of those executed. Both were victims of war. The Victims of 1918 continues Seppo Rustanius´ lauded series of Civil War documentaries. Using photographs and other documents, the director brings the tragedy from the past to modern times. The themes of the film are comparable to those of the Spanish Civil War and the events in the Balkans and in Rwanda.
Premiere: 25.1.2008, DocPoint
Production country: Finland
Screening formats BetaSP, DVD Credits Director: Rustanius Seppo (also script)
Cinematographer: Pekka Aine
Sound recordist: Martti Turunen
Sound designer: Martti Turunen
Composer: Perttu Kivilaakso
Editor: Timo Linnasalo
Screenings and awards Screenings on TV: 02.02.2008 Yle Dokumenttiprojekti TV2
Festivals: 25.01.2008 DocPoint, 06.03.2008 Tampere Film Festival, 10.04.2008 Suomalaisen elokuvan festivaali (Turku), 11.09.2008 Bay Street Film Festival (Ontario, Kanada), 14.11.2008 Arctic & Fabulous Film Festival Commendation, Audience Award, The Finnish Institute in Paris
Production Jouko Aaltonen, Illume Oy

2007

Dream of Karelia (Unelmana Karjala, 2007)
Koski Kari Juhana (KJ)
Finland
49 min

Basic Information Original language: Finnish
Subtitle language: English
Genre: Documentary film
Oneliner: A Documentary film about Russification of the post-war Karelia.
Synopsis: After the Continuation War, fought during the World War II between Finland and Russia, areas of Karelia were emptied from the Finnish people and replaced by the Russian people. How did these Russians, afraid of the revenge of the previous dwellers, experience the move into the small houses of the Finns. A story about the rebuilding of Karelia through the eyes of a Russian evacuee.

Production country: Finland
Filming country: Finland/Russia
Screening formats BetaSP, DVD Credits Director: Koski Kari Juhana (KJ) (also script)
Cinematographer: Pertti Veijalainen, Vladimir Brylyakov
Sound designer: Martti Turunen
Composer: Music: Hannu Saha, "Mahla" (Produced by: Kaustinen, Kansanmuusiikki-instituutti KICD 72)
Editor: Sanna Liinamaa, KJ Koski
Screenings and awards Screenings on TV: 16.12.2008 YLE TV2 Dokumenttiprojekti
Festivals: Kettupäivät Finnish Short Film Festival 2007: Best Professional Documentary and Viscult 2007, Finnish State Quality Support 2007 / Finland, 1001 Documentary Film Festival 2008 / Turkey
Production Pertti Veijalainen, Illume Oy

2006

Jaruzelski (Jaruzelski - Kenraalin kiirastuli, 2006)
Puukko Martti
Finland
46 min 50 sek

Basic Information Subtitle language: English
Genre: Documentary
Oneliner: The son of a wealthy noble family, Jaruzelski became a communist, then their leader and finally a supporter of the Nato-membership of his own country.
Synopsis: ”I didn’t sleep in several days”, says the former communist leader of Poland, Jaruzelski about his decision to declare a state of war to his country in the year 1981.
In this documentary, directed by Martti Puukko, we go back to the dramatic phases of the recent history of Poland. In the film, the old general and the former president of Poland, Wojciech Jaruzelski ponders the choices of his past before his conscience as well as in the court.

Production country: Finland
Filming country: Poland
Credits Director: Puukko Martti (also script)
Screenings and awards Festivals: DocPoint Helsinki Documentary Film Festival 2006 / Finland, Camera Obscura 2006 and Art of the Document Multimedia Festival 2009 / Poland
Production Pertti Veijalainen, Illume Oy

Revolution (Kenen joukoissa seisot, 2006)
Aaltonen Jouko
Finland
80 min

Basic Information Original language: Finnish
Subtitle language: English
Genre: Documentary musical
Oneliner: A revolutionary music film about a singing revolution
Synopsis: Revolution is a documentary musical about the 70’s generation’s fight for a better world and socialism. With songs and music, it paints a picture of a revolution that was lost. Music creates some distance and in many ways, depicts the experiences and spirit of the era much better than a regular interview-based documentary. The music provides a commentary and moves the film along, crystallizing the spirit of the revolution. The music also symbolizes the pomposity and rhetoric often so blatantly and comically at odds with the reality and everyday life.

Production country: Finland
Filming country: Finland
Screening formats 35mm Credits Director: Aaltonen Jouko (also script)
Scriptwriter: Jouko Aaltonen
Cinematographer: Jussi Eerola, Timo Peltonen
Sound recordist: Paul Jyrälä, Miia Nevalainen
Sound designer: Paul Jyrälä, Miia Nevalainen
Editor: Samu Heikkilä
Screenings and awards Festivals: Jussi Prize 2006 Best Finnish Documentary Film, State Quality Support, Thunder Bay Festival, Canada People's Choice Award, Laterna Magica Festival Laterna Magica-prize, Nordic Film Days in Lübeck 2006, Leipzig Documentray Film Festival 2006, 12.12.2006 London Barbican Centre, Film Fest Hamburg 2006, Prix Europa -competition 2006, 26.04.2008 Iris Film Festival, Sodankylä, Jussi-candidacy 2006 also for best film, best music, best direction, 13.10.2009 The Finnish Institute in Paris, France, Yamagata 2007 / Japan, Isola Cinema 2007 / Slovenia, Oslo Eurodok Festival / Norway, Nordic Film Days in Lübeck, DOKLeipzig and Film Fest Hamburg / Germany, Black nights Film Festival / Estonia, Finnish Documentary Days in Sydney / Australia, Barbican Festival of Nordic Film, Northern Lights Film Festival / UK, Lisbon International Independent Film Festival / Portugal
Production Pertti Veijalainen, Illume Oy

2002

Karelian Terror (Karjalainen kiirastuli, 2002)
Rustanius Seppo
Finland
50 min

Basic Information Original language: Finnish
Subtitle language: English
Genre: Documentary
Oneliner: A documentary about the Finno persecution in the Soviet Karelia in 1937-1938
Synopsis: Karelian terror continues the themes of Rustanius’ previous documentary, Accusations against the Utopian. The Finnish in Karelia were persecuted relatively the most of all of the people in the Soviet Union. Over 4000 Finns were liquidated, and the amount of Finnish population decreased from 12000 to 8000 in just few years. The persecution affected almost every family. Even the term genocide could be used.

Production country: Finland
Credits Director: Rustanius Seppo (also script)
Screenings and awards Screenings on TV: 17.12.2008 YLE TV2 Dokumenttiprojekti
Festivals: 29.08.2008 The Best Movies of the World, Kettupäivät Finnish Short Film Festival 2002: Best documentary film, DocPoint Helsinki Documentary Film Festival 2003, Tampere Film Festival 2003, State Quality Support 2003 and Maailman parhaat elokuvat -event / Finland, International Film Festival Olomouc / Turkey, Petroskoi Festival 2003 / Russia
Production Jouko Aaltonen, Illume Oy

2001

Blatnoi Mir (Blatnoi Mir, 2001)
Hiltunen Jouni
Finland
82 min

Basic Information Original language: Russian
Subtitle language: English
Genre: Documentary
Oneliner: A documentary about three prisoners for life in a Russian prison.
Synopsis: Blatnoi Mir is a documentary about three Russian prisoners for life. It is also a film about the fundamental issues of life. The true drama will be found inside these cells where the men will spend the rest of their lives.

Every one of the three men has found their own way to cope in just a few square metre’s area. Andrei Shudarikov has found the Hare Krishna –movement and his time is mostly spent performing religious rituals. Mihail Buharov is severely depressed and he spends time singing old prison camp songs. Sergei Balin is a former capo and an athlete, who exercises daily. He fills up the letters addressed to his mother with his thoughts and feelings. The prison island Pitak is the life and future of these men. Their numerous tattoos tell a tale about their past.
, 09/2001, Århus, Denmark
Production country: Finland
Filming country: Russia
Credits Director: Hiltunen Jouni (also script)
Screenings and awards Festivals: Stalker film Festival in Moscow and Message to Man Festival/ Russia, Mediawave in Györ: Best minority film / Hungary, Most courageous production at Infinity festival in Alba / Italy, Special mention at Nordisk Panorama 2001 / Denmark, Statuette Kiss at Tampere Film Festival 2002, State Quality Support 2002, Jussi-candidacy, R & A Helsinki international Film Festival 2001, Docpoint Helsinki International Documentary Film Festival 2002, Kettupäivät Finnish Short Film Festival 2001, As a visualisation of Janáces opera 2008/ Finland, Tempo Documentary Festival 2002 / Sweden, Krakow Film Festival / Poland, Vienna International Film Festival Viennale / Austria, Encuentro Internacional de Cine y Video Documental Escenarios del Nuevo Siglo 2002 / Mexico, International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam 2001 / Netherlands, Jihlava International Documentary Film Festival / Czech Republic, Royal Anthropological Institute / UK, Göttingen International Ethnographic Film Festival 2002 / Germany
Production Pertti Veijalainen, Illume Oy

Henna Leu'dd (Hennan Leu'dd, 2001)
Huttu-Hiltunen Heikki
Finland
25 min

Basic Information Subtitle language: English
Genre: Documentary
Oneliner: A documentary about a 14-year-old Skolt Sámi, who has different roles in her life.
Synopsis: Henna Mäki is a 14-year-old Skolt Sámi girl from the northernmost Lapland near the border of Norway and Russia. About half of all of the Skolt Sámi live in the village of Lake Sevetti. Henna is one the very few youngsters who continue with the ancient singing tratidion, leu’dd. Henna practices leu’dds listening to old tapes with her grandfather Elias and aunt Tyyne. They travel across the border to Norway to perform to tourists. At the same time Henna is also a modern young woman; like everyone else at her age, she loves pop-music and is interested in snowboarding and snowmobiles. She also likes traveling itself. It seems as so the tradition of leu’dd will continue in the future as well. Henna knows how to combine the different roles in her life.

Production country: Finland
Filming country: Finland
Credits Director: Huttu-Hiltunen Heikki (also script)
Screenings and awards Screenings on TV: YLE TV1, Norway TV4
Festivals: Nuorro Sardinia anthropological documentary film festival Jury's certificate of honour, Kettupäivät 2001, Finnish Institute in New York 2001, Canada Nordic Film Festival 2004, Finno-Ugrian people's tv-festival 1st Prize, Tampere Film Festival, Nordisk Filmfestival, Hannover Festival, NAFA Filmfestival , Saarbrücke Festival, Genova Filmfestival, Nordisk Panorama, Sheffield International Documentary Festival, Tromssa Film Festival, Joensuu anthropological film festival, Arctic Directors, Rovaniemi, Nordic Research Forum, Kaamoksen kuvat -festival, Skandinavian House, New York, Yellow Knife, Canada, XII International Festival of Ethnographical Commendation, Kulttuurit kohtaavat -event 2001, The Skábmagovat - Indigenous Peoples Film Festival / Finland, The Finnish Institute in Paris: Images de la nuit polaire -programme series 2008 / France
Production Pertti Veijalainen, Illume Oy

2000

Kusum (Kusum, 2000)
Aaltonen Jouko
Finland
69 min

Basic Information Original language: Hindi
Subtitle language: English
Genre: Documentary
Oneliner: A documentary about Indian girl Kusum and her family struggling againts illness and spirits.
Synopsis: Kusum is an ordinary Indian 14-year-old girl. She lives in Delhi, goes to school and plans her future. Until she falls ill. Kusum quits eating, isolates and gets difficult fits of rage. Evil spirits have attacked the family, says Bhagat, an experienced healer. The family testes western medicine at first, but then settles upon the traditional Indian spiritual healing with Bhagat. It’s a long road, the spirits are not easy opponents..
Premiere: 11/2000, Helsinki Cinema Andorra
Production country: Finland
Filming country: India
Screening formats 35mm Credits Director: Aaltonen Jouko (also script)
Scriptwriter: Jouko Aaltonen
Cinematographer: Marita Hällfors
Sound designer: Martti Turunen
Editor: Tuula Mehtonen
Screenings and awards Festivals: Bilan du Film Ethnographique: Commendation and Finnish Institute in Paris 2005 / France Honorary Mention, DokumentART, Neubrandenburg First Prize, Kettupäivät Finnish Short Film Festival 2001: Best Documentary, State Quality Support, Espoo Cine 2001 and Viscult 2007 / Finland Best documentary film, Pärnu documentary and anthropological film festival First Prize, NAFA festivals, Nordisk Panorama, Taiwan anthropological film festival, Espoo Cine 2001, Finnish Institute in Paris 2005, Royal Anthropological Institute Festival 2nd Commendation, Astra Film Fest 2002, Romania, The Reel Madness Film Festival 2003, London, State Quality Support
Production Pertti Veijalainen, Illume Oy

1992

Taiga Nomads II (Taigan kansalaisia II: Taidot jotka opetit minulle, 1992)
Aaltonen Jouko, Lappalainen Heimo
Finland

Basic Information Subtitle language: English
Genre: Documentary
Oneliner: The second part of the Taiga Nomads -trilogy
Synopsis: The Evenks live in Siberia, in the east side of the Jenisei River. There are approximately 28 000 Evenks. The autonomic Evenkiysky District is sparsely inhabited taiga. There are no roads and reindeer and helicopters are used as means of transport. The connections to the rest of the world are poor and the climate is harsh especially in the winter. The primary sources of livelihood are reindeer management, hunting and fishing. The Evenks are nomands, who wander along with the reindeer. “Taiga Nomads” portrays the life of the Evenks in the last year of the Soviet administration.

Nikolai Pavlovits has experienced a lot; the coming of the Soviet Government to the area in 1930, the war and the black spot of the present as well. Regardless of the leg lost in the war and over 70 years of age, Nikolai still lives in the taiga. His own children were killed in the war and he has a foster son, Vasha. To him, Nikolai has taught all the skills and knowledge that are needed to survive in the taiga.

Production country: Finland
Credits Director: Aaltonen Jouko (also script) , Lappalainen Heimo (also script)
Screenings and awards Festivals: Göttingen film festival 1993: Main Prize / Germany, Pärnu Film Festival 1993: Grand Prize / Estonia, Fondazione Medikinale International Parma 1993: Prix Leonardo, Festival dei Popoli Florence / Italy, Northern Traveling Film Festival 2004 / Russia, Cinema du Reel, The Finnish Institute in Paris 2005 / France, Finnish State Quality Support, Tampere International Short Film Festival, Midnight Sun Film Festival Sodankylä, Espoo Cine / Finland, Margaret Mead Film Festival / USA, NAFA Film Festival Reykjavik / Iceland
Production Pertti Veijalainen, Illume Oy