Spotlight on Finland 2021
Berlinale is a time to discover exciting new films, so we decided to introduce you to some of the upcoming Finnish works looking for that international audience.
We also picked two talented and diverse film composers who would love to find new projects!
Co-produced with
ANY DAY NOW
Director: Hamy Ramezan
Production: Jussi Rantamäki & Emilia Haukka / Film Company Aamu
Genre: arthouse drama
13-year-old Ramin Mehdipour and his Iranian family have been living in a refugee centre in Finland. Just as Ramin starts to enjoy the school holidays, the family receives the terrible news their asylum application has been denied. The Mehdipours file a final appeal, and they continue with their everyday lives, trying to keep a positive attitude despite the looming danger of deportation. As Ramin starts the new school year, every moment, every friendship will be more precious than ever.
THE BLIND MAN WHO DID NOT WANT TO SEE TITANIC
Director: Teemu Nikki
Producer: Jani Pösö / It’s Alive
Genre: arthouse drama
Everybody needs love. Including Jaakko, who is tied to his wheelchair. Jaakko’s love is Sirpa. They have never met in real life, but on the phone, they meet every day. Sirpa gets terrible news about her health, and Jaakko decides to go to her immediately. It is not the easiest decision because Jaakko is blind and paralyzed to his chest. During his journey, he’s losing his faith and trust in humanity, gets it back and finally gets to his love.
THE TWIN
Director: Taneli Mustonen
Production: Aleksi Hyvärinen / Don Films
Genre: horror
Every parent’s worst nightmare is just the beginning for Rachel’s ordeal as in the aftermath of a tragic accident, she and her husband Anthony decide to move to the other side of the world to focus on their surviving twin son Elliot. What begins as a time of healing and isolation turns into a desperate battle for the very soul of their son.
GIRL PICTURE
Director: Alli Haapasalo
Producer: Leila Lyytikäinen / Citizen Jane Productions
Genre: coming-of-age / drama / young adults
Mimmi and Rönkkö are best friends, supporting each other in good and bad. They don’t know yet what the future will bring, but the world is open. Emma is a figure skater aiming for an international career. When the three meet at a party, nothing will remain the same.
COMPOSER SPOTLIGHT
Laura Naukkarinen aka Lau Nau
Lau Nau, aka Laura Naukkarinen, is one of the more interesting names in the Finnish contemporary music scene. A composer, music producer and performer whose music is imbued with a cinematic breadth of vision and idiosyncratic, finely honed sound world.
Lau Nau works using both acoustic and electronic instruments. While her songs are luminous, melancholic pieces of experimental chamber folk music, her scores for films and sound installations are experimental studies of sound.
Composer spotlight
Pessi Levanto
Pessi Levanto is one of the most prominent film composers in Finland and is currently gaining foothold with his work internationally. His wide knowledge of both classical and jazz/rock genres gives him a versatile and personal way of writing. His style is often light and delicate, colourfully orchestrated and carefully crafted with old-school craftsmanship utilizing modern techniques.
Pessi has scored twenty two full-length feature films, around thirty short films and documentaries plus miscellaneous spots and commercials. He has released seven records of his own and played in and done arrangements for dozens of others.
Our Spotlight on Finland guests share their memories of Berlinale: