The Arctic & Fabulous Competition
This year the national Arctic & Fabulous film competition received 116 entries. The competition was open to films that were from fiction, documentary, animation and experimental genres and had been completed during 2008-2009. A total of 34 films were chosen to be screened during the festival and they were divided into professional and student categories.
The judges of the professional category are screenwriter-director Kari Toiviainen and secretary of cultural affairs Juho Kaitajärvi, and the judges of the student category are producer Marjo Kovanen and screenwriter-director Janne Heinonen. The winner of the professional category will be awarded with a 500 € prize, donated by Image Kustannus Oy. The main prize of the student category is also 500 €, donated by Laitilan Wirvoitusjuomat. In addition to the first prize, the judges may choose to award runners-up with certificates of honour.
Also the festival audience gets to vote for their favourite film in the competition. Voting slips will be available at the ticket office. There will be a raffle of a 25 € gift voucher to Levykauppa Äx (a record shop) and a 20€ gift voucher to Film Town (a video rental store) among all the voters.
The most fabulous films of the year in both categories will be announced at the award ceremony of The Arctic & Fabulous Competition in Kampus Kino on Sunday, 22 November at 2pm. The best films will be awarded in the ceremony, the raffle among voters will be carried out and some of the awarded films will be screened.
The Arctic & Fabulous film competition, Professional productions
Competition screening 1, Thursday 19 Nov 19, at 3 pm
Nine to five
Direction, cinematography, editing: Tero Puha, script: Tero Puha, Terhi Perälä, production: AV-arkki, music: Mikko Väärälä, cast: Terhi Perälä, experimental, 2008, 8 min. No dialogue.
A housewife’s working day consists of monotonous tasks such as ironing and baking. She dreams of a lovely evening with a “Man” and makes herself pretty again and again. But while she is desperately repeating her endless routines, will she ever have the time to fulfil her dream?
Wimme
Direction, script, cinematography: Juha Iisak Koivisto, production: Unilumi Oy, editing: Jarno Vikeväkorva, sound recording: Juha Iisak Koivisto, Tage Ylitalo, music: Wimme Saari, documentary, 2009, 29 min. Subtitles: Finnish.
A philosophical documentary of a yoik master Frans Wilhelm Saari, which runs through history to the modern day. Wimme doesn’t seek for his strength from future visions but from an ancient, thousand-year-old legacy.
Stone Pastures (Kivilaitumet)
Direction, script: Donagh Coleman, production: Illume Oy/Jouko Aaltonen, cinematography: Timo Peltonen, Johannes Lehmuskallio, Donagh Coleman, editing: Breege Rowley, sound recording: Pertti Venetjoki, Kimmo Vänttinen, music: Linda Buckley, Keith O’Brien, documentary, 2008, 65 min. Subtitles: English/Finnish.
Kivilaitumet tells a story of a nomad family that lives on the Himalayas raising goats.
The Arctic & Fabulous film competition, Professional productions
Competition screening 2, Thursday 19 Nov, at 9 pm
Iris
Direction, script: Santtu Koivu, production: AV-arkki, cast: Taimi Janhunen, experimental, 2008, 2 min. No dialogue.
A woman peeks from behind a bouquet of dandelions and starts a game of hide and seek.
Extra Turbulence (Tule hyvä tyttö)
Direction, script: Anna Korhonen, production: Illume Oy/Jouko Aaltonen, cinematography: Ditte Uljas, editing: Helena Öst, sound recording: Pelle Venetjoki, music: Joonas Pirttilä, documentary, 2009, 48 min. Subtitles: English.
The movie Tule hyvä tyttö tells about how there are many unwritten rules around us and how one should be and look like. The social control is hard and everyone participates in it.
On Thin Ice (Kukkulan kuningas)
Direction, script: Alli Haapasalo, production: Juonifilmi/Piia Nokelainen, cinematography: Hannu-Pekka Vitikainen, editing: Annukka Lilja, sound recording: Anne Tolkkinen, music: Glenn Patscha, cast: Jani Volanen, Jussi Nikkilä, Elena Leeve, fiction, 2009, 59 min. Subtitles: English.
A young taxi driver called Samu works on the Christmas Eve to avoid the family Christmas. He picks up a mercenary called Hans from the airport. This is the beginning of an unforgettable journey during which Hans has to face his past and Samu is forced to open his eyes for his own future.
The Arctic & Fabulous film competition, Professional productions
Competition screening 3, Friday 20 Nov, at 5 pm
Tuomo & Paavo
Direction, script: Heta Kuchka, production: AV-arkki, documentary, 2008, 21 min.
”One thing I’ve noticed about lonely people is that there are certain dates in the year when we tend to get people who’ve been dead in their homes for quite a while: Mother’s Day, Christmas, and also July when people come back from their holidays.”
44500 Max
Direction, script: Jari Kokko, production: Karlik Films/Mikko Keinonen, cinematography: Jari Kokko, Jyrki Pitkä, editing: Kimmo Kohtamäki, sound recording: Sami Pasanen, Lassi Puurunen, music: Jevgeni Fjodorov, documentary, 2009, 78 min. Subtitles: English.
A documentary of the first and only perfumer of Finland, Max Perttula and of his attempts to conquer the world with his luxury perfumes from a small Finnish town called Viitasaari.
The Arctic & Fabulous film competition, Professional productions
Competition screening 4, Friday 20 Nov, at 7 pm
Falling Angels (Putoavia enkeleitä)
Direction: Heikki Kujanpää, script: Heikki Huttu-Hiltunen, Heikki Kujanpää, Sami Parkkinen, production: Blind Spot Pictures Oy/Tero Kaukomaa, Petri Jokiranta, cinematography: Harri Räty, editing: Jukka Nykänen, sound recording: Pietari Koskinen, music: Timo Hietala, cast: Elena Leeve, Tommi Korpela, Elina Knihtilä, fiction, 2008, 102 min. Subtitles: Swedish.
The movie tells about the lives and marriage of two well-known Finnish poets, Aila Meriluoto and Lauri Viita. The movie has been filmed through the eyes of their daughter Helena.
The Arctic & Fabulous film competition, Professional productions
Competition screening 5, Saturday 21 Nov, at 3 pm
Changeling (Vaihdokas)
Direction, script: Leena Jääskeläinen, production: Edith Film/Liisa Penttilä, cinematography: Antti Takkunen, editing: Hannele Majaniemi, sound recording, music: Kepa Lehtinen, animation: Maria Björklund, animation, 2008, 15 min. Subtitles: English.
A threat which changes everything comes to the safe world of a mother and a newborn. Strong internal and external pressures of motherhood make the woman ponder whether she is a good mother or whether there is something wrong with the child.
Up and About Again (Jalkeilla taas)
Direction, script, production, cinematography: Maarit Suomi-Väänänen, editing: Ville Väänänen, sound design: Kyösti Väntänen, music: Tapani Rinne, Playback Kohu -63, fiction, 2009, 10 min. Subtitles: English.
In dreamlike pictures a Datsun 100A covered in snow continues its journey in a summery scene. Something has shifted the everyday from its place and an exceptional and comical atmosphere dominates the movie. The distress is hidden.
Rebels With a Cause (Jos mulla ois valta)
Direction, script, cinematography: Antti Haase, Lasse Naukkarinen, Janne Niskala, production: Unilumi Oy/Juha Iisak Koivisto, editing: Tuuli Kuittinen, sound recording: Heidi Puikko, music: Eero Ojanen, documentary, 2008, 76 min.
The pulp factory of Kemijärvi has been decided to be shut down but the people of the district start a mutiny against the superior opponent. The efforts of the tight community for their own living environment culminate to a grand demonstration trip to Helsinki by a night train.
The Arctic & Fabulous film competition, Professional productions
Competition screening 6, Saturday 21 Nov, at 5 pm
Good Stuff (Hyvä meininki)
Direction, script, editing, animation: Niina Suominen, cinematography: Niina Suominen, Jari Uusitalo, music: Risto Ylihärsilä, animation/experimental, 2009, 8 min.
In this game, a one man’s defeat is not a win for another, but everybody loses. Own laws prevail in the world of losers and everyone has always a good time.
Within Limits (Liikkumavara)
Direction: Annika Grof, script: Annika Grof, Janina Kokkonen, production: Illume Oy/Pertti Veijalainen, cinematography: Anssi Leino, Annika Grof, editing: Pauliina Punkki, sound recording: Martti Turunen, music: Ville Riippa, documentary, 2009, 89 min. Subtitles: English.
The film lives with the members of the parliament for a few months and follows the processing and birth of a law which causes great emotions.
The Arctic & Fabulous Film Competition, Student Films
Competition Screening 1: Friday, 20 Nov, at 3 pm
Syna – Forever
Direction, editing: Anna-Mari Nukarinen, script, cinematography: Anna-Mari Nukarinen, Sari Mustonen, production: Oulu UAS/Sari Mustonen, animation: Anna-Mari Nukarinen, Mikko Kuusirati, Maura Manninen, music: Syna, animation, 2009, 4 min. No dialogue.
A sympathetic Ninjabunny-hero is born to fight against the goo that pollutes the world
The Goat of Christmas Past (Pukin laulu)
Direction, script: Lauri Löytökoski, Mikael Palsio, production: Arts Academy at Turku UAS/Johanna Hakanen, cinematography, editing, animation: Mikael Palsio, sound recording: Anitta Kiviranta, music: Aki Laaksonen, cast: Jussi Toppari, Pentti Halonen, fiction, 2009, 11 min. Subtitles: English.
A young man gets possessed by the dark side of his subconsciousness on a Christmas night
“R” Is For Realdoll (”R” niin kuin Realdoll)
Direction, script, editing: Katja Niemi, production: Arts Academy at Turku UAS/Outi Hyytinen, cinematography: Mikke Larmala, sound recording: Petri Erkkilä, music: Mika Vartiala, documentary, 2009, 7 min. Subtitles: English.
A documentary which tells about one man’s business in the world of the sex industry: a rentable doll is maintained after every client.
Under the Surface (Pinnan alla)
Direction, script: Veera Lehtola, Aino Ahokas, production: Arts Academy at Turku UAS/Outi Hyytinen, cinematography: Joonas Rutanen, editing: Veera Lehtola, sound recording, music: Henri Kivistö, experimental, 2009, 7 min. Subtitles: English.
Memories of one chilhood.
The Unplugged Son (Familjelampan)
Direction, script, editing: Milla Nybondas, production: Arts Academy at Turku UAS/Eija Saarinen, Milla Nybondas, cinematography: Jari Iso-Markku, Jenni Samio, Milla Nybondas, sound recording: Aleksi Tegel, Milla Nybondas, animation: Milla Nybondas, Antti Laakso, music: Matti Strahlendorf, Frederic Chopin, animation, 2009, 9 min. Subtitles: English.
After a long time spent travelling Adrian arrives to his father’s birthday but feels himself as an outsider. With the help of his present to his father Adrian reconnects with his family.
United We Stand
Direction, script: Alejandro Pedregal, production: University of Art and Design Helsinki/Mahsa Malka, cinematography: Arsen Sarkisiants, editing: Maria Palavamäki, sound recording: Svante Colerus, Rolando Camilo, music: Adolf Kastner, cast: Malla Malmivaara, Katja Kiuru, Robert Enckell, Enrique Alcides, fiction, 2009, 19 min. Language: English, subtitles: Finnish.
An outsider threatens the peace of an upper-class Finnish family. The stranger is not taken seriously until he proves that he knows more than he should. The family must realise that they should stand united or their life together might collapse.
The Man in the Middle
Direction, script, cinematography, editing, sound recording, animation: Joonas Rutanen, Mika Kurvinen, production: Arts Academy at Turku UAS/Outi Hyytinen, music: Sonoton, Joonas Rutanen, Mika Kurvinen, cast: Benji Leblay, Pentti Halonen, Aino Ahokas, fiction, 2008, 14 min. Language: English, subtitles: Finnish.
A Hollywood breakthrough, a love story without a comparison, unites the Western film and romance. It is brilliant but Ben Average just can’t write it down on paper.
The Tourists (Turistit)
Direction, script, editing, sound recording: Olli Laamanen, production: Arts Academy at Turku UAS/Eija Saarinen, cinematography: Olli Laamanen, Joonas Allonen, animation: Olli Laamanen, Antti Laakso, music: Bugari Ormond, animation, 2009, 4 min. No dialogue.
In a hectic city people don’t have time to enjoy the treats of an ice-cream stall. After a surprising event everything is different and even the tour leader has all the time in the world to enjoy ice-cream.
Unknow
Direction: Oliwia Tonteri, Jerem Tonteri, script: Oliwia Tonteri, Jerem Tonteri, Marko J.K. Luukkonen, production: University of Art and Design Helsinki/ Oliwia Tonteri, cinematography: Marko J.K. Luukkonen, editing: Jerem Tonteri, sound recording: Kirsi Korhonen, cast: Amadou Touray, Stephen Mensah-Kuphe, fiction, 2008, 5 min. No dialogue.
”Then I saw the face belonging to the voice that had been speaking all night long.”
Ghosts
Direction, script, cinematography: Jan Ijäs, production: University of Art and Design Helsinki/Paula Korva, editing: Jan Ijäs, Okku Nuutilainen, sound recording: Svante Colérus, music: Viilunki 3000, Jaakko Eino Kalevi, Sun City Girls, documentary, 2008, 15 min. Language: English, subtitles: Finnish.
Film about building what was originally built as an envelope factory. Now it is a centre for asylum seekers – a warehouse for humans.
The Arctic & Fabulous Film Competition, Student Films
Competition Screening 2: Saturday, 21 November, at 1pm
The Cleaning Day (Siivouspäivä)
Direction, script: Henri Turunen, production: Oulu UAS/Maija Laine, cinematography, editing: Jussi Finnilä, sound recording: A-J Kortesoja, cast: Marjo Toivonen, Pekka Parppala, fiction, 2008, 5 min. Subtitles: English.
The ghosts of the past torment an old man.
Diary of a Person with Asperger's Syndrome (Asperger syndroomaisen päiväkirja)
Direction, script, cinematography, editing, sound recording: Kristiina Lehto, production: Tampere UAS/Arts and Media, music: Derek R. Audette, documentary, 2008, 5 min. Subtitles: English
A video documentary compiled of still images. It tells about the everyday life of a person with Asperger syndrome in the modern society.
A Shout – to touch – the silence (Huuto – kosketus – hiljaisuus)
Direction, script: Anna Nykyri, production: Suomi Post Mortem working group and Finnish Academy of Fine Arts, editing: Maria Haipus, fiction/experimental, 2009, 3 min. No dialogue.
The movie is a quiet short film compiled from television archives and it handles Finland after the school killings. One cannot change what has happened and there is no point in asking “why”. One must face the pain. Beauty is to scream, to be quiet and to be touched.
The Electrician
Direction: Miina Alajärvi, script: Jussi Jokihaara, production: Tampere UAS/Arts and Media/Petra Välimäki, Tiia-Tuulia Teinsuu, cinematography: Juho Kepanen, editing: Arttu Salmi, sound design, music: Jarno Muhonen, cast: Derek Melling, fiction, 2009, 14 min. Language: English, subtitles: Finnish.
The movie tells a story about Marvin who works as an electric chair executioner. After the state banns the death penalty Marvin is unemployed and tries to find new ways of practising his unusual skill.
The Difficult Reflection (Hankala peilikuva)
Direction, cinematography: Milla Nybondas, Kristina Laine, script, editing, sound recording: Milla Nybondas, production: Arts Academy at Turku UAS/ Eija Saarinen, music: Danielius Dolskis, animation, 2009, 4 min. No dialogue.
The ugly side of a girl follows her to a song competition.
The Royal Family (Kuninkaalliset)
Direction, script, cinematography, sound recording: Taru Varpumaa, production: Arts Academy at Turku UAS/Eija Saarinen, editing: CHRZU, animation: Taru Varpumaa, Elli Vuorinen, Antti Laakso, music: Sonoton music library, Jaakko Karjula, animation, 5 min. No dialogue.
The royal people appear mystically in the middle of the gray everyday life.
My Heart, My Bad (Mun sydän, mun vika)
Direction, script: Mari-Kaisu Mononen, production: University of Art and Design Helsinki/ Mari-Kaisu Mononen, Mikko Laine, cinematography: Arsen Sarkisiants, editing: Tuuli Alanärä, sound recording: Svante Colérus, music: Alejandro Pedregal, cast: Jessica Grabowsky, Minna Suuronen, Toni Rasimus, Claudia Väärsi, fiction, 2009, 25 min. Subtitles: English.
My Heart My Bad is a comedy about sorrow. A young woman called Essi wonders whether things that are useless should be tossed away.
Adaptation
Direction, script: Henna Inkinen, production: Tampere UAS/Arts and Media, cinematography: Markus Tynskä, editing: Arttu Salmi, sound recording: Pauliina Saarman, music: Jani Kuivajärvi, cast: Marianna Vilkman, Silja Eriksson, Elise Mäkitalo, Liina Mäki-Patola, experimental, 2009, 4 min. No dialogue.
Adaption is a frightenly beautiful description about the functions of a suicidal mind.
The Trap (Katiska)
Direction, script, cinematography, editing, sound recording, animation: Joni Männistö, Janne Kukkonen, JP Saari, Mikko Korhonen, production: Arts Academy at Turku UAS/Eija Saarinen, music: Joni Männistö, JP Saari, animation, 2008, 5 min. No dialogue.
A warm-hearted but yet thrilling story about a girl, a father and a fish.
Between Shores (Rantautuja)
Direction, script, editing: Tuomas Onttonen, production: Lahti UAS/Institute of Design, cinematography: Teemu Koivisto, sound recording: Topias Salonen, music: Ville Lähde, cast: Jussi Lehtonen, Esa Latva-Äijö, Henna Karppa, Auli Poutiainen, fiction, 2009, 30 min. Subtitles: English.
A young girl has ended as up as a maid in a strange house. A doctor from a nearby town faces signs of distress. When he asks about it, everyone is silent….
