The votes are in: Atmospheric (and claustrophobic) Finnish mystery thriller “Icebreaker,” already one of the most buzzed of projects hitting the competition, has been crowned the winner of the 8th edition of MipDrama, receiving its Coup de Coeur award.
Sold by About Premium Content, created by Mia Ylönen, who exec produces with Aleksi Bardy, the Elisa Viihde-commissioned show “Icebreaker” is set on a stranded boat.
As its crew members start to disappear, one by one, coastguard Sanna Tanner (Jessica Grabowsky) is trying to find answers – but what she is dealing with goes way beyond rational explanations.
“We wanted to build up slowly, like a classic whodunnit, but you get a sense there is something else going on. Something is lurking on this ship, but we don’t know whether it’s human or not,” creator Mia Ylönen previously told Variety. The show is produced by Helsinki-filmi, an independent subsidiary of Aurora Studios.
Sold by About Premium Content, created by Mia Ylönen, who exec produces with Aleksi Bardy, the Elisa Viihde-commissioned show “Icebreaker” is set on a stranded boat.
As its crew members start to disappear, one by one, coastguard Sanna Tanner (Jessica Grabowsky) is trying to find answers – but what she is dealing with goes way beyond rational explanations.
“We wanted to build up slowly, like a classic whodunnit, but you get a sense there is something else going on. Something is lurking on this ship, but we don’t know whether it’s human or not,” creator Mia Ylönen previously told Variety. The show is produced by Helsinki-filmi, an independent subsidiary of Aurora Studios.
- 4/7/2024
- by Marta Balaga
- Variety Film + TV
Be afraid, be very afraid: Finnish mystery thriller “Icebreaker” has just revealed exclusive first-look photos.
Set on a stranded icebreaker, it sees coast guard Sanna Tanner (Jessica Grabowsky) leading a rescue team. She comes across a group of survivors – and a frozen body – but over the course of six days, crew members start to disappear. And a vindictive spirit might have something to do with it.
“Icebreakers’” backers have shared a set of first-look stills in exclusivity with Variety.
Created by Mia Ylönen, who exec produces with Aleksi Bardy following their collaboration on “Codename: Annika,” “Icebreaker” is produced by Helsinki-filmi, an independent subsidiary of Aurora Studios.
Commissioned by Elisa Viihde and distributed by About Premium Content (Apc), the series boasts an impressive cast, with “Border” lead Eero Milonoff and “Compartment No. 6’s” Seidi Haarla joined by Mikko Leppilampi, Karim Rapatti, Roderick Kabanga or Johannes Holopainen.
“We wanted to build up slowly,...
Set on a stranded icebreaker, it sees coast guard Sanna Tanner (Jessica Grabowsky) leading a rescue team. She comes across a group of survivors – and a frozen body – but over the course of six days, crew members start to disappear. And a vindictive spirit might have something to do with it.
“Icebreakers’” backers have shared a set of first-look stills in exclusivity with Variety.
Created by Mia Ylönen, who exec produces with Aleksi Bardy following their collaboration on “Codename: Annika,” “Icebreaker” is produced by Helsinki-filmi, an independent subsidiary of Aurora Studios.
Commissioned by Elisa Viihde and distributed by About Premium Content (Apc), the series boasts an impressive cast, with “Border” lead Eero Milonoff and “Compartment No. 6’s” Seidi Haarla joined by Mikko Leppilampi, Karim Rapatti, Roderick Kabanga or Johannes Holopainen.
“We wanted to build up slowly,...
- 3/16/2024
- by Marta Balaga
- Variety Film + TV
The Sundance queer drama “Sebastian,” directed by up-and-coming Finnish-British director Mikko Mäkelä, has been bought by Kino Lorber for U.S. distribution, along with a string of international buyers.
Represented in international markets by LevelK, the film made its world premiere in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition at this year’s Sundance Film Festival.
“Sebastian” follows Max (Ruaridh Mollica), a 25-year-old freelance writer and aspiring novelist who seems well on his way to success in London’s cultural spheres. Yet by night, he finds a different kind of exhilaration as a sex worker with the pseudonym Sebastian, meeting men via an escorting platform. Max uses his experiences as Sebastian to fuel his stories, and the worthy debut novel that he has been longing to write finally seems within reach. But Max increasingly struggles to remain in control of his double-life, leading him to reckon with whether Sebastian is merely a...
Represented in international markets by LevelK, the film made its world premiere in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition at this year’s Sundance Film Festival.
“Sebastian” follows Max (Ruaridh Mollica), a 25-year-old freelance writer and aspiring novelist who seems well on his way to success in London’s cultural spheres. Yet by night, he finds a different kind of exhilaration as a sex worker with the pseudonym Sebastian, meeting men via an escorting platform. Max uses his experiences as Sebastian to fuel his stories, and the worthy debut novel that he has been longing to write finally seems within reach. But Max increasingly struggles to remain in control of his double-life, leading him to reckon with whether Sebastian is merely a...
- 2/27/2024
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: SkyShowtime’s drama original Codename: Annika is taking its art crime sensibilities around the world.
In one of the few international distribution stories you’ll read this week not directly related to the London TV Screenings, Mediawan Rights has snapped up sales rights to the Swedish-Finnish series.
Mediawan will sell it outside of European streamer SkyShowtime’s footprint, which covers parts of mainland and Eastern Europe and Scandinavia, and second window rights within the operating territories.
Codename: Annika stars Sannah Nedergård as Emma Haka, a Finnish art crime investigator who infiltrates an auction in Stockholm during an undercover mission that proves to be more dangerous than expected. She is forced to assume a wild and fiery alias, Annika Stormare, and the lines between the two personalities begin to blur.
“We are proud to add this SkyShowtime Original Series to our distribution line-up, enriching Mediawan Rights’ catalogue and strengthening our international development strategy,...
In one of the few international distribution stories you’ll read this week not directly related to the London TV Screenings, Mediawan Rights has snapped up sales rights to the Swedish-Finnish series.
Mediawan will sell it outside of European streamer SkyShowtime’s footprint, which covers parts of mainland and Eastern Europe and Scandinavia, and second window rights within the operating territories.
Codename: Annika stars Sannah Nedergård as Emma Haka, a Finnish art crime investigator who infiltrates an auction in Stockholm during an undercover mission that proves to be more dangerous than expected. She is forced to assume a wild and fiery alias, Annika Stormare, and the lines between the two personalities begin to blur.
“We are proud to add this SkyShowtime Original Series to our distribution line-up, enriching Mediawan Rights’ catalogue and strengthening our international development strategy,...
- 2/27/2024
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Amsterdam-based Big Blue is set to produce the upcoming series “Kiss My Feet,” alongside Finnish company Helsinki-filmi.
Selected for Series Mania’s Forum Co-Pro Pitching Sessions, the six-episode drama is created by Daan Gielis and Mark Van De Grift, loosely based on their own experiences.
In the show, successful marketer Max finds himself in a spiritual community in Finland, trying to help out his brother Lucas – apparently, his mysterious guru is interested in building an international brand. Soon, Max and his girlfriend Daphne’s view on family, and trust, will drastically change.
“I know writer Daan Gielis very well, we have worked together before and this project was always simmering somewhere. It’s such an unusual story. Some people are very invested in spiritual communities, others prefer to stay away. What if that division happens within one couple?,” said Big Blue’s CEO Fleur Winters.
The company is also behind...
Selected for Series Mania’s Forum Co-Pro Pitching Sessions, the six-episode drama is created by Daan Gielis and Mark Van De Grift, loosely based on their own experiences.
In the show, successful marketer Max finds himself in a spiritual community in Finland, trying to help out his brother Lucas – apparently, his mysterious guru is interested in building an international brand. Soon, Max and his girlfriend Daphne’s view on family, and trust, will drastically change.
“I know writer Daan Gielis very well, we have worked together before and this project was always simmering somewhere. It’s such an unusual story. Some people are very invested in spiritual communities, others prefer to stay away. What if that division happens within one couple?,” said Big Blue’s CEO Fleur Winters.
The company is also behind...
- 2/23/2024
- by Marta Balaga
- Variety Film + TV
Finnish-British director Mikko Mäkelä isn’t shying away from sexual content in “Sebastian,” which has its world premiere on Sunday at Sundance Film Festival.
“As was already the case with ‘A Moment in the Reeds,’ I wanted to provide a very frank and honest portrayal of queer sexuality,” he tells Variety, referencing his 2017 debut.
“For so long, queer sexuality has been shied away from and censored. It has been such a balancing act for queer filmmakers and a very unfair one, because we want to provide representation for ourselves, but we also don’t want to alienate audiences and people who finance our films. Luckily, things have improved a great deal.”
In Mäkelä’s sophomore film – competing in Sundance’s World Cinema Dramatic Competition – aspiring writer Max (Ruaridh Mollica) leads a double life as sex worker Sebastian, hoping to use his experiences in a novel. But while Max tries to...
“As was already the case with ‘A Moment in the Reeds,’ I wanted to provide a very frank and honest portrayal of queer sexuality,” he tells Variety, referencing his 2017 debut.
“For so long, queer sexuality has been shied away from and censored. It has been such a balancing act for queer filmmakers and a very unfair one, because we want to provide representation for ourselves, but we also don’t want to alienate audiences and people who finance our films. Luckily, things have improved a great deal.”
In Mäkelä’s sophomore film – competing in Sundance’s World Cinema Dramatic Competition – aspiring writer Max (Ruaridh Mollica) leads a double life as sex worker Sebastian, hoping to use his experiences in a novel. But while Max tries to...
- 1/19/2024
- by Marta Balaga
- Variety Film + TV
The queer drama is directed by UK-Finnish director Mikko Makela.
LevelK has boarded international sales rights to UK feature Sebastian ahead of its world premiere in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition at Sundance Film Festival this month.
The film is the second feature from UK-Finnish director Mikko Makela. It follows a freelance writer rising through London’s cultural world who finds exhilaration at night as a sex worker under the pseudonym Sebastian.
Ruaridh Mollica leads the cast, alongside Screen Rising Stars Scotland talent Hiftu Quasem and Jonathan Hyde.
September Films will distribute the film in the Netherlands, with Aurora handling distribution for Finland.
LevelK has boarded international sales rights to UK feature Sebastian ahead of its world premiere in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition at Sundance Film Festival this month.
The film is the second feature from UK-Finnish director Mikko Makela. It follows a freelance writer rising through London’s cultural world who finds exhilaration at night as a sex worker under the pseudonym Sebastian.
Ruaridh Mollica leads the cast, alongside Screen Rising Stars Scotland talent Hiftu Quasem and Jonathan Hyde.
September Films will distribute the film in the Netherlands, with Aurora handling distribution for Finland.
- 1/15/2024
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
‘Bardot’ Series Sells After Netflix Launch
Bardot, the French series about the younger years of film star Brigitte Bardot, has sold into a raft of international territories soon after its recent launch on Netflix. The Danièle Thompson and Christopher Thompson series debuted on Netflix in several European territories on August 23, having taken strong ratings on France 2 back in May. Federation Studios, which produces and sells the show, has shopped to AMC Iberia in Spain, Tvp in Poland, Nova in Greece, Mtva in Hungary, Rtvs in Slovaquia, Ltv and Tet+ in Latvia, Err in Estonia and Finch Media, which distributes content in Eastern Europe. Netflix was among a tranche of buyers who had previous bought it, though no U.S. or UK buyer has emerged yet. Federation said negotiations were planned in further European and English-speaking territories. Bardot is set to get a U.S. festival debut at the American French...
Bardot, the French series about the younger years of film star Brigitte Bardot, has sold into a raft of international territories soon after its recent launch on Netflix. The Danièle Thompson and Christopher Thompson series debuted on Netflix in several European territories on August 23, having taken strong ratings on France 2 back in May. Federation Studios, which produces and sells the show, has shopped to AMC Iberia in Spain, Tvp in Poland, Nova in Greece, Mtva in Hungary, Rtvs in Slovaquia, Ltv and Tet+ in Latvia, Err in Estonia and Finch Media, which distributes content in Eastern Europe. Netflix was among a tranche of buyers who had previous bought it, though no U.S. or UK buyer has emerged yet. Federation said negotiations were planned in further European and English-speaking territories. Bardot is set to get a U.S. festival debut at the American French...
- 9/4/2023
- by Jesse Whittock, Zac Ntim and Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Awards
The European Film Academy has revealed the nominations for Lux – The European Audience Film Award. The award is presented by the European Parliament and the European Film Academy in partnership with the European Commission and Europa Cinemas.
The nominated films are: “20,000 Species of Bees” by Estibaliz Urresola Solaguren (Spain); “The Teacher’s Lounge” by İlker Çatak (Germany); “Fallen Leaves” by Aki Kaurismäki; “On the Adamant” by Nicolas Philibert; and “Smoke Sauna Sisterhood” by Anna Hints.
The five nominated films will now be subtitled in all 24 EU languages. The winner will be determined by the general public and the members of the European Parliament (each holding 50% of the vote) and announced during an awards ceremony in March 2024.
European Film Academy chair and president of the Lux jury Mike Downey said: “We know that cinema not only enhances the imagination but also shows our entire world in multiple perspectives and...
The European Film Academy has revealed the nominations for Lux – The European Audience Film Award. The award is presented by the European Parliament and the European Film Academy in partnership with the European Commission and Europa Cinemas.
The nominated films are: “20,000 Species of Bees” by Estibaliz Urresola Solaguren (Spain); “The Teacher’s Lounge” by İlker Çatak (Germany); “Fallen Leaves” by Aki Kaurismäki; “On the Adamant” by Nicolas Philibert; and “Smoke Sauna Sisterhood” by Anna Hints.
The five nominated films will now be subtitled in all 24 EU languages. The winner will be determined by the general public and the members of the European Parliament (each holding 50% of the vote) and announced during an awards ceremony in March 2024.
European Film Academy chair and president of the Lux jury Mike Downey said: “We know that cinema not only enhances the imagination but also shows our entire world in multiple perspectives and...
- 9/4/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
‘Codename: Annika’: SkyShowtime Unveils Cast & Trailer
SkyShowtime has unveiled cast and trailer for Codename: Annika, one of the fledgling Paramount/Comcast Jv’s biggest originals to date. The series follows a Finnish detective, Emma Haka, played by Sannah Nedergård (Yellow Sulphur Sky), who is still completing her undercover training when she gets sent on a mission into Stockholm’s corrupt world of fine art trade. Unveiled at the Stockholm International Film Festival, Codename from Mia Ylönen and Aleksi Bardy will star the likes of Ardalan Esmaili (Easy Money) as Rasmus Ståhlgren, Eva Melander (Border) as Rina Olander and Helena Bergström (House of Angels) as Agatha Torstensson, along with Pekka Strang (Tom of Finland) as Raimo Korpi, Clarisse Lhoni-Botte (Rolling to You) as Béatrice Joly and Charles Martins (Emily in Paris) as Denver Carpentier. Show will launch next month on the streaming service that is available in territories in which...
SkyShowtime has unveiled cast and trailer for Codename: Annika, one of the fledgling Paramount/Comcast Jv’s biggest originals to date. The series follows a Finnish detective, Emma Haka, played by Sannah Nedergård (Yellow Sulphur Sky), who is still completing her undercover training when she gets sent on a mission into Stockholm’s corrupt world of fine art trade. Unveiled at the Stockholm International Film Festival, Codename from Mia Ylönen and Aleksi Bardy will star the likes of Ardalan Esmaili (Easy Money) as Rasmus Ståhlgren, Eva Melander (Border) as Rina Olander and Helena Bergström (House of Angels) as Agatha Torstensson, along with Pekka Strang (Tom of Finland) as Raimo Korpi, Clarisse Lhoni-Botte (Rolling to You) as Béatrice Joly and Charles Martins (Emily in Paris) as Denver Carpentier. Show will launch next month on the streaming service that is available in territories in which...
- 8/16/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
SkyShowtime, the European streaming joint venture of Comcast and Paramount Global has unveiled a teaser trailer for six-part original crime drama series Codename: Annika at the Stockholm International Film Festival outdoor cinema, Sommarbio.
The Finnish-Swedish production, which originally had the working title ID, was part of a deal that the streamer struck early this year with Warner Bros. Discovery for exclusive rights across all of Europe to 21 HBO Max European originals. Codename: Annika will launch on SkyShowtime in September.
Created by Mia Ylönen and Aleksi Bardy of production company Helsinki-Filmi (Tove, Ladies of Steel, Tom of Finland, Heart of a Lion, Lapland Odyssey) and directed by Finnish director Aj Annila (Peacemaker), the show promises to take audiences behind the scenes of the world of high-class art fraud, while also exploring “the reality of navigating a double identity.”
The series stars Sannah Nedergård (Yellow Sulphur Sky) as Finnish art fraud investigator Emma/Annika.
The Finnish-Swedish production, which originally had the working title ID, was part of a deal that the streamer struck early this year with Warner Bros. Discovery for exclusive rights across all of Europe to 21 HBO Max European originals. Codename: Annika will launch on SkyShowtime in September.
Created by Mia Ylönen and Aleksi Bardy of production company Helsinki-Filmi (Tove, Ladies of Steel, Tom of Finland, Heart of a Lion, Lapland Odyssey) and directed by Finnish director Aj Annila (Peacemaker), the show promises to take audiences behind the scenes of the world of high-class art fraud, while also exploring “the reality of navigating a double identity.”
The series stars Sannah Nedergård (Yellow Sulphur Sky) as Finnish art fraud investigator Emma/Annika.
- 8/16/2023
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: Deadline has learned that 8x Oscar nominated actress Glenn Close and Anders Danielsen Lie have signed on to star in a feature film take of Tove Jansson’s novel The Summer Book which Charlie McDowell will direct and produce with his Case Study Films, a production company he co-founded with Alex Orlovsky and wife Lily Collins.
Recently celebrating the 50th anniversary of its original print publication, The Summer Book tells the life affirming story of a young girl and her grandmother as they spend a summer on a tiny, unspoiled island in the Gulf of Finland. The novel distills the essence of the summer into 21 vignettes and has been translated into 35 languages since its first publication in 1972.
Robert Jones adapted the book for screen. Pic is co-financed by High Frequency Entertainment and Hurst Capital. Production starts this summer in Finland.
Anders Danielsen Lie, courtesy Case Study Films
“I’m...
Recently celebrating the 50th anniversary of its original print publication, The Summer Book tells the life affirming story of a young girl and her grandmother as they spend a summer on a tiny, unspoiled island in the Gulf of Finland. The novel distills the essence of the summer into 21 vignettes and has been translated into 35 languages since its first publication in 1972.
Robert Jones adapted the book for screen. Pic is co-financed by High Frequency Entertainment and Hurst Capital. Production starts this summer in Finland.
Anders Danielsen Lie, courtesy Case Study Films
“I’m...
- 3/2/2023
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
The Göteborg Film Festival has unveiled the 53 Nordic Films that will take part in the latest edition of the Nordic Film Market, running February 2 – 5. Scroll down for the list.
The line-up consists of 17 completed feature films, 15 works in progress, 11 films in development presented at the market’s co-financing platform Discovery, and another 10 features in development from up-and-coming Swedish creators at Talent to Watch.
The 2023 edition of Nordic Film Market will comprise a full on-site event in Göteborg alongside digital screenings on the festival’s dedicated industry platform. This year the festival has said close to 500 invited buyers, distributors, sales agents, producers, festival programmers, and other key industry delegates from 32 countries are expected to attend.
Elsewhere, the 17th edition of the TV Drama Vision summit will run February 1–2.
Göteborg will run January 27 – February 5. As previously announced, Holy Spider breakout Zar Amir Ebrahimi will head the jury of the festival’s Nordic Competition.
The line-up consists of 17 completed feature films, 15 works in progress, 11 films in development presented at the market’s co-financing platform Discovery, and another 10 features in development from up-and-coming Swedish creators at Talent to Watch.
The 2023 edition of Nordic Film Market will comprise a full on-site event in Göteborg alongside digital screenings on the festival’s dedicated industry platform. This year the festival has said close to 500 invited buyers, distributors, sales agents, producers, festival programmers, and other key industry delegates from 32 countries are expected to attend.
Elsewhere, the 17th edition of the TV Drama Vision summit will run February 1–2.
Göteborg will run January 27 – February 5. As previously announced, Holy Spider breakout Zar Amir Ebrahimi will head the jury of the festival’s Nordic Competition.
- 1/17/2023
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
Alaric McAusland Tapped For MD Role At Dneg’s New Sydney Hub
Top Australian film exec Alaric McAusland has joined VFX and animation company Dneg’s new Sydney hub as managing director and will take up the role in January 2023. McAusland has held a number of significant entertainment industry leadership roles in both Australia and the U.S. across his 25-year career. Most recently, he served as Executive Director for the Australian Directors’ Guild and was previously Chief Operating Officer at the Emmy award-winning, Los Angeles-based production house, Grace: A Storytelling Company. He also served as Managing Director of Deluxe Entertainment Service Group Australia and is a past Chair of Ausfilm. Recently opened Dneg Sydney’s first project is leading the visual effects work for George Miller’s highly anticipated Mad Max prequel, Furiosa. “I am delighted to welcome Alaric onboard to lead our new Dneg Sydney team,” said Merzin Tavaria,...
Top Australian film exec Alaric McAusland has joined VFX and animation company Dneg’s new Sydney hub as managing director and will take up the role in January 2023. McAusland has held a number of significant entertainment industry leadership roles in both Australia and the U.S. across his 25-year career. Most recently, he served as Executive Director for the Australian Directors’ Guild and was previously Chief Operating Officer at the Emmy award-winning, Los Angeles-based production house, Grace: A Storytelling Company. He also served as Managing Director of Deluxe Entertainment Service Group Australia and is a past Chair of Ausfilm. Recently opened Dneg Sydney’s first project is leading the visual effects work for George Miller’s highly anticipated Mad Max prequel, Furiosa. “I am delighted to welcome Alaric onboard to lead our new Dneg Sydney team,” said Merzin Tavaria,...
- 12/14/2022
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
19 projects from six continents took part.
Finnish project Paloma Brouhaha has won Women in Film & Television International (Wifti)’s inaugural Worldwide Pitch, which featured 19 projects from six continents.
The Wifti Worldwide Pitch, which was held online, was developed with support from Netflix’s Grow Creative Equity framework to promote unheard voices and untold stories.
First place and a 1,000 cash prize were awarded to Paloma Brouhaha, written by Natalie Immonen with director Oliwia Tonteri and producers Aleksi Bardy and Helen Vinogradov of Helsinki Filmi, which has credits including Tove and Tom Of Finland. The project, which was submitted by Wift Finland,...
Finnish project Paloma Brouhaha has won Women in Film & Television International (Wifti)’s inaugural Worldwide Pitch, which featured 19 projects from six continents.
The Wifti Worldwide Pitch, which was held online, was developed with support from Netflix’s Grow Creative Equity framework to promote unheard voices and untold stories.
First place and a 1,000 cash prize were awarded to Paloma Brouhaha, written by Natalie Immonen with director Oliwia Tonteri and producers Aleksi Bardy and Helen Vinogradov of Helsinki Filmi, which has credits including Tove and Tom Of Finland. The project, which was submitted by Wift Finland,...
- 12/13/2022
- by Tim Dams
- ScreenDaily
Versatile Finnish helmer A.J. Annila is on board to direct the thriller series with a working title of “ID” which marks HBO Max’s first commission of a Finnish premium TV show.
Set in the art fraud world, the six-part series is co-created by seasoned writer Aleksi Bardy and Mia Ylönen for Finnish production powerhouse Helsinki-Filmi, a subsidiary of Finland’s Aurora Studios.
“ID” revolves around art fraud investigator Emma who goes undercover to infiltrate an auction house in Stockholm in order to investigate the firm’s connection to a notorious money launderer known as Blanko. Under her new identity, the quiet Emma morphs into a different person, the party animal and hot-headed socialite Annika. Her change of persona triggers long-hidden memories to resurface, forcing Emma to confront her past.
Annila, who contributed earlier to HBO Nordic’s anthology series of short films “At Home” (Eristyksissä), said he is thrilled...
Set in the art fraud world, the six-part series is co-created by seasoned writer Aleksi Bardy and Mia Ylönen for Finnish production powerhouse Helsinki-Filmi, a subsidiary of Finland’s Aurora Studios.
“ID” revolves around art fraud investigator Emma who goes undercover to infiltrate an auction house in Stockholm in order to investigate the firm’s connection to a notorious money launderer known as Blanko. Under her new identity, the quiet Emma morphs into a different person, the party animal and hot-headed socialite Annika. Her change of persona triggers long-hidden memories to resurface, forcing Emma to confront her past.
Annila, who contributed earlier to HBO Nordic’s anthology series of short films “At Home” (Eristyksissä), said he is thrilled...
- 2/6/2022
- by Annika Pham
- Variety Film + TV
HBO Max has commissioned its first Finnish original, giving a straight-to-season order for a six-part drama with the working title ID.
Created by Mia Ylönen and Aleksi Bardy of production group Helsinki-Filmi, the new crime drama revolves around Emma, a Finnish art fraud investigator who goes undercover to infiltrate an auction house in Stockholm and investigate the firm’s connection to a notorious money launderer known as “Blanko.” As part of her cover, the calm, professional Emma takes on the identity of Annika, a hot-headed socialite known for her wild party lifestyle. But taking on this new persona forces Emma to ...
Created by Mia Ylönen and Aleksi Bardy of production group Helsinki-Filmi, the new crime drama revolves around Emma, a Finnish art fraud investigator who goes undercover to infiltrate an auction house in Stockholm and investigate the firm’s connection to a notorious money launderer known as “Blanko.” As part of her cover, the calm, professional Emma takes on the identity of Annika, a hot-headed socialite known for her wild party lifestyle. But taking on this new persona forces Emma to ...
- 10/6/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
HBO Max has commissioned its first Finnish original, giving a straight-to-season order for a six-part drama with the working title ID.
Created by Mia Ylönen and Aleksi Bardy of production group Helsinki-Filmi, the new crime drama revolves around Emma, a Finnish art fraud investigator who goes undercover to infiltrate an auction house in Stockholm and investigate the firm’s connection to a notorious money launderer known as “Blanko.” As part of her cover, the calm, professional Emma takes on the identity of Annika, a hot-headed socialite known for her wild party lifestyle. But taking on this new persona forces Emma to ...
Created by Mia Ylönen and Aleksi Bardy of production group Helsinki-Filmi, the new crime drama revolves around Emma, a Finnish art fraud investigator who goes undercover to infiltrate an auction house in Stockholm and investigate the firm’s connection to a notorious money launderer known as “Blanko.” As part of her cover, the calm, professional Emma takes on the identity of Annika, a hot-headed socialite known for her wild party lifestyle. But taking on this new persona forces Emma to ...
- 10/6/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Helsinki-filmi also produced ’Tom Of Finland and ’Heart Of A Lion’.
Finland’s Aurora Studios has acquired independent production company Helsinki-filmi, which has credits including Tom Of Finland and Tove.
Helsinki-filmi will continue its operations independently while becoming a subsidiary of Aurora.
Aleksi Bardy, the majority owner of Helsinki-filmi, will become a partner at Aurora and join its executive board while continuing to serve as CEO of the production company. No redundancies will be made as a result of the acquisition.
Previous Helsinki-filmi shareholders Annika Sucksdorff and Dome Karukoski will no longer be part-owners of the company after the acquisition.
Finland’s Aurora Studios has acquired independent production company Helsinki-filmi, which has credits including Tom Of Finland and Tove.
Helsinki-filmi will continue its operations independently while becoming a subsidiary of Aurora.
Aleksi Bardy, the majority owner of Helsinki-filmi, will become a partner at Aurora and join its executive board while continuing to serve as CEO of the production company. No redundancies will be made as a result of the acquisition.
Previous Helsinki-filmi shareholders Annika Sucksdorff and Dome Karukoski will no longer be part-owners of the company after the acquisition.
- 7/5/2021
- by Wendy Mitchell
- ScreenDaily
Biopic of Moomins creator Tove Jansson is Finland’s submission for the Oscar.
LevelK has closed a slew of new deals on Tove, the biopic of artist and Moomins creator Tove Jansson, which Finland has submitted for the international feature Oscar.
The deals are led by Juno Films, which has acquired US rights, Films We Like for Canada, and Blue Finch Film Releasing for the UK and Ireland.
Further deals include to Switzerland (Dcm), Benelux (Remain in Light), Austria (Polyfilm Verleih), Israel (Dbs Satellite) and Thailand (Movies Matter).
Previously announced sales include to Russia/Cis (Russian World Vision), Baltics (Estin...
LevelK has closed a slew of new deals on Tove, the biopic of artist and Moomins creator Tove Jansson, which Finland has submitted for the international feature Oscar.
The deals are led by Juno Films, which has acquired US rights, Films We Like for Canada, and Blue Finch Film Releasing for the UK and Ireland.
Further deals include to Switzerland (Dcm), Benelux (Remain in Light), Austria (Polyfilm Verleih), Israel (Dbs Satellite) and Thailand (Movies Matter).
Previously announced sales include to Russia/Cis (Russian World Vision), Baltics (Estin...
- 1/20/2021
- by Wendy Mitchell
- ScreenDaily
In today’s Global Bulletin, WarnerMedia appoints Vanessa Brookman as head of kids for Emea, Discovery commissions two new unscripted series while Channel 5 gets a pair of dramas and the Göteborg Film Festival selects “Tove” as its opening film.
Appointment
WarnerMedia has announced that Vanessa Brookman will be promoted to the newly created position of head of kids for Emea, effective immediately.
The move brings, for the first time, all WarnerMedia’s operational, editorial and creative responsibilities for kids’ content and channel brands in the region under a single remit. The consolidated portfolio includes Cartoon Network, Boomerang, Boing and Cartoonito as well as digital properties on third-party and WarnerMedia streaming platforms.
Brookman will collaborate closely with Johannes Larcher and Christina Sulebakk at HBO Max to improve the platform’s offerings for kids before it launches across Emea markets.
A near-six-year vet at WarnerMedia, Brookman has worked in senior content,...
Appointment
WarnerMedia has announced that Vanessa Brookman will be promoted to the newly created position of head of kids for Emea, effective immediately.
The move brings, for the first time, all WarnerMedia’s operational, editorial and creative responsibilities for kids’ content and channel brands in the region under a single remit. The consolidated portfolio includes Cartoon Network, Boomerang, Boing and Cartoonito as well as digital properties on third-party and WarnerMedia streaming platforms.
Brookman will collaborate closely with Johannes Larcher and Christina Sulebakk at HBO Max to improve the platform’s offerings for kids before it launches across Emea markets.
A near-six-year vet at WarnerMedia, Brookman has worked in senior content,...
- 12/11/2020
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Venice Days pic “Beware of Children” and Sundance alumnus “Charter” are among the five Nordic films nominated for the coveted Nordic Council Film Prize.
“Beware of Children” was directed by Norwegian scribe/helmer Dag Johan Haugerud and produced by Yngve Sæther. The drama is set in the aftermath of a tragic event in a suburb of Oslo, where the teenage daughter of a prominent Labour Party member seriously injured her classmate, the son of a high profile right-wing politician, during a school break.
“Charter,” meanwhile, world premiered at this year’s Sundance festival and marks Swedish director/screenwriter Amanda Kernell’s second feature following “Sami Blood.” “Charter” is a character study of a flawed mother who impulsively embarks on a perilous attempt to reconnect with her children after leaving them with their father to start a new life in Stockholm. “Charter” was produced by Lars G. Lindström and Eva Åkergren.
“Beware of Children” was directed by Norwegian scribe/helmer Dag Johan Haugerud and produced by Yngve Sæther. The drama is set in the aftermath of a tragic event in a suburb of Oslo, where the teenage daughter of a prominent Labour Party member seriously injured her classmate, the son of a high profile right-wing politician, during a school break.
“Charter,” meanwhile, world premiered at this year’s Sundance festival and marks Swedish director/screenwriter Amanda Kernell’s second feature following “Sami Blood.” “Charter” is a character study of a flawed mother who impulsively embarks on a perilous attempt to reconnect with her children after leaving them with their father to start a new life in Stockholm. “Charter” was produced by Lars G. Lindström and Eva Åkergren.
- 8/18/2020
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Alma Pösti plays the Finnish painter Tove Jansson.
Denmark-based sales company LevelK has landed its first deals on Tove, the biopic of Moomins creator Tove Jansson.
The film has sold to Japan (The Klockworx) and Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania (Estin Film). The Moomins are extremely popular in Japan; the country has produced several series featuring the animated characters, and opened the MoominValley theme park in Sanno, Saitama last year.
Screen can also reveal the exclusive first trailer for the film, above.
Set from 1944 to 1956, the Swedish-language film shows how painter Tove Jansson finds worldwide success from an unexpected side project,...
Denmark-based sales company LevelK has landed its first deals on Tove, the biopic of Moomins creator Tove Jansson.
The film has sold to Japan (The Klockworx) and Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania (Estin Film). The Moomins are extremely popular in Japan; the country has produced several series featuring the animated characters, and opened the MoominValley theme park in Sanno, Saitama last year.
Screen can also reveal the exclusive first trailer for the film, above.
Set from 1944 to 1956, the Swedish-language film shows how painter Tove Jansson finds worldwide success from an unexpected side project,...
- 6/23/2020
- by 1101321¦Ben Dalton¦26¦
- ScreenDaily
The film is set in the 1940s and 50s.
Alma Pöysti is set to play famed artist, author and Moomins creator Tove Jansson in Zaida Bergroth’s Swedish-language biopic Tove which has started shooting in Helsinki. The actress is Swedo-Finnish, like Jansson herself.
Produced by Helsinki-filmi, whose credits include Tom of Finland, Dogs Don’t Wear Pants, Tove is the first feature based on Jansson’s life. It will also be Pöysti’s first lead screen role. She has previously played Jansson on stage at Svenska Teatern in Helsinki.
“I needed to find somebody who would have the right kind of aura,...
Alma Pöysti is set to play famed artist, author and Moomins creator Tove Jansson in Zaida Bergroth’s Swedish-language biopic Tove which has started shooting in Helsinki. The actress is Swedo-Finnish, like Jansson herself.
Produced by Helsinki-filmi, whose credits include Tom of Finland, Dogs Don’t Wear Pants, Tove is the first feature based on Jansson’s life. It will also be Pöysti’s first lead screen role. She has previously played Jansson on stage at Svenska Teatern in Helsinki.
“I needed to find somebody who would have the right kind of aura,...
- 1/16/2020
- by 1100142¦Wendy Mitchell¦0¦
- ScreenDaily
The company has acquired all North American rights from The Yellow Affair.
AMC Networks’ Shudder has acquired all North American rights to J-p Valkeapää’s Finnish thriller Dogs Don’t Wear Pants from The Yellow Affair.
The film, which premiered in Cannes Directors’ Fortnight before screening in Toronto’s Contemporary World Cinema section, is about an emotionally paralysed man whose life is changed when he meets a dominatrix. Pekka Strang (Tom Of Finland) and Krista Kosonen (Blade Runner 2049) star.
The deal was negotiated by Emily Gotto on behalf of Shudder, and Karoliina Dwyer of The Yellow Affair.
The Yellow...
AMC Networks’ Shudder has acquired all North American rights to J-p Valkeapää’s Finnish thriller Dogs Don’t Wear Pants from The Yellow Affair.
The film, which premiered in Cannes Directors’ Fortnight before screening in Toronto’s Contemporary World Cinema section, is about an emotionally paralysed man whose life is changed when he meets a dominatrix. Pekka Strang (Tom Of Finland) and Krista Kosonen (Blade Runner 2049) star.
The deal was negotiated by Emily Gotto on behalf of Shudder, and Karoliina Dwyer of The Yellow Affair.
The Yellow...
- 11/6/2019
- by 1100142¦Wendy Mitchell¦0¦
- ScreenDaily
Industry@Tallinn and Baltic Event titles revealed.
The projects selected for Tallinn Black Nights’ industry showcase have been revealed, including a drama executive produced by Tim Roth and a new category for youth films.
Scroll down for full list of projects
This year’s Industry@Tallinn and Baltic Event will spotlight 18 films seeking sales agents or festivals for international premieres during works in progress sessions in the Estonian capital from November 26-27.
Both the Baltic Event, showcasing Baltic and Finnish projects, and International Works in Progress will compete for the same awards this year: the Post Production Award worth €10,000 and...
The projects selected for Tallinn Black Nights’ industry showcase have been revealed, including a drama executive produced by Tim Roth and a new category for youth films.
Scroll down for full list of projects
This year’s Industry@Tallinn and Baltic Event will spotlight 18 films seeking sales agents or festivals for international premieres during works in progress sessions in the Estonian capital from November 26-27.
Both the Baltic Event, showcasing Baltic and Finnish projects, and International Works in Progress will compete for the same awards this year: the Post Production Award worth €10,000 and...
- 11/6/2019
- by 1100453¦Michael Rosser¦9¦
- ScreenDaily
France-Finland co-production A Girl’s Room takes €20,000 Eurimages Co-Production Development Award.
The 2018 Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival has named the winners of its Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event awards after a week of presentations and meetings.
More than 400 delegates attended this year’s event.
In the festival’s Baltic Event Co-Production Market, which featured 16 projects, France-Finland feature A Girl’s Room, from director Aino Suni and producers Sébastien Aubert and Ulla Simonen, won the €20,000 Eurimages Co-Production Development Award.
The Cannes Marché du Film Producers’ Network Award, which comes with free accreditations to next year’s edition of Cannes, went to...
The 2018 Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival has named the winners of its Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event awards after a week of presentations and meetings.
More than 400 delegates attended this year’s event.
In the festival’s Baltic Event Co-Production Market, which featured 16 projects, France-Finland feature A Girl’s Room, from director Aino Suni and producers Sébastien Aubert and Ulla Simonen, won the €20,000 Eurimages Co-Production Development Award.
The Cannes Marché du Film Producers’ Network Award, which comes with free accreditations to next year’s edition of Cannes, went to...
- 11/30/2018
- by Tom Grater
- ScreenDaily
Bankside handling sales in Afm on comedy feature.
Screen can unveil the first trailer for Rudolph Herzog’s comedy How To Fake A War (previously How To Sell A War), which stars Jay Pharoah (Ride Along).
The film is the fiction feature debut of documentary director Rudolph Herzog (son of Werner). Pharoah plays a vain and arrogant rock star who is due to lead a global charity concert in a warzone. When a ceasefire is called four days before the event, his PR consultant sets off on a mission to create a fake news story letting the world know that the war is back on.
Screen can unveil the first trailer for Rudolph Herzog’s comedy How To Fake A War (previously How To Sell A War), which stars Jay Pharoah (Ride Along).
The film is the fiction feature debut of documentary director Rudolph Herzog (son of Werner). Pharoah plays a vain and arrogant rock star who is due to lead a global charity concert in a warzone. When a ceasefire is called four days before the event, his PR consultant sets off on a mission to create a fake news story letting the world know that the war is back on.
- 11/1/2018
- by Tom Grater
- ScreenDaily
Turner Asia Pacific has agreed a licensing partnership with Indonesian real-estate and hospitality investment company, The Maj Group, to develop a 4.3-hectare entertainment park in Bali. The family destination will feature the island’s largest waterpark and an indoor entertainment centre splashed with Cartoon Network theming. Slated to open in 2020, the development will be part of The Maj Nusa Dua resort. There will be characters from shows including Ben 10, We Bare Bears, The Powerpuff Girls and Adventure Time. Other Cartoon Network-branded projects already licensed by Turner International include Cartoon Network Amazone in Thailand, Img Worlds of Adventures in Dubai, Amaazia in India and Cartoon Network Wave cruise liner in Asia Pacific.
Lionsgate has inked a new deal with Australian streaming service Stan, which will house Lionsgate series and Stars originals. Stars titles set for the Svod service include Sweetbitter, Vida and doc series Wrong Man. The deal also covers upcoming...
Lionsgate has inked a new deal with Australian streaming service Stan, which will house Lionsgate series and Stars originals. Stars titles set for the Svod service include Sweetbitter, Vida and doc series Wrong Man. The deal also covers upcoming...
- 6/6/2018
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Rudolph Herzog’s fiction feature debut wrapped shooting this week.
Screen can unveil a first look at Jay Pharoah (Ride Along) in How To Sell A War, the fiction feature debut of documentary director Rudolph Herzog, which wrapped this week after shooting in Dublin and Georgia.
In the film, Pharoah plays vain and arrogant rock star Harry Hope who is due to lead a global charity concert in a warzone. When a ceasefire is called four days before the event, Hope’s PR consultant sets off on a mission to create a fake news story letting the world know that the war is back on.
Screen can unveil a first look at Jay Pharoah (Ride Along) in How To Sell A War, the fiction feature debut of documentary director Rudolph Herzog, which wrapped this week after shooting in Dublin and Georgia.
In the film, Pharoah plays vain and arrogant rock star Harry Hope who is due to lead a global charity concert in a warzone. When a ceasefire is called four days before the event, Hope’s PR consultant sets off on a mission to create a fake news story letting the world know that the war is back on.
- 5/9/2018
- by Tom Grater
- ScreenDaily
Shooting is now underway in Georgia on the project.
Jay Pharoah, recognised for his recent roles in Unsane and Ride Along, has joined Lily Newmark and Katherine Parkinson in Rudolph Herzog’s How To Sell A War.
Bankside Films is handling sales on the project, which is now shooting in Georgian capital Tbilisi before moving to Dublin, Ireland.
Author and documentary filmmaker Rudolph Herzog (The Paedophile Next Door), who is the son of Werner Herzog, makes his fictional feature debut on the film, which follows a PR consultant and her naïve new intern working for a global charity concert. They...
Jay Pharoah, recognised for his recent roles in Unsane and Ride Along, has joined Lily Newmark and Katherine Parkinson in Rudolph Herzog’s How To Sell A War.
Bankside Films is handling sales on the project, which is now shooting in Georgian capital Tbilisi before moving to Dublin, Ireland.
Author and documentary filmmaker Rudolph Herzog (The Paedophile Next Door), who is the son of Werner Herzog, makes his fictional feature debut on the film, which follows a PR consultant and her naïve new intern working for a global charity concert. They...
- 4/6/2018
- by Tom Grater
- ScreenDaily
The F&Me production, which starts shooting in March, is directed by Rudolph Herzog.
Source: F&Me
Lily Newmark, Katherine Parkinson
International sales outfit Bankside Films have boarded Rudolph Herzog’s How To Sell A War, which will start shooting March 16 in Georgia and also shoot in Dublin.
Samantha Taylor and Mike Downey produce for their Dublin-based Film and Music Entertainment (Ire) with key financing from the UK’s Quickfire and Helsinki-based Ipr.Vc. This is the sixth project to come through F&Me’s Dublin-based outfit since it was established in 2016.
The film was developed by Creative England, Ipr.Vc and F&Me.
Author and documentary filmmaker Rudolph Herzog (The Paedophile Next Door), who is the son of Werner Herzog, makes his fictional feature debut and the cast is led by Katherine Parkinson (The It Crowd) and Lily Newmark (Pin Cushion).
The story follows a PR consultant, and her naïve new intern, working for a global...
Source: F&Me
Lily Newmark, Katherine Parkinson
International sales outfit Bankside Films have boarded Rudolph Herzog’s How To Sell A War, which will start shooting March 16 in Georgia and also shoot in Dublin.
Samantha Taylor and Mike Downey produce for their Dublin-based Film and Music Entertainment (Ire) with key financing from the UK’s Quickfire and Helsinki-based Ipr.Vc. This is the sixth project to come through F&Me’s Dublin-based outfit since it was established in 2016.
The film was developed by Creative England, Ipr.Vc and F&Me.
Author and documentary filmmaker Rudolph Herzog (The Paedophile Next Door), who is the son of Werner Herzog, makes his fictional feature debut and the cast is led by Katherine Parkinson (The It Crowd) and Lily Newmark (Pin Cushion).
The story follows a PR consultant, and her naïve new intern, working for a global...
- 2/5/2018
- by Wendy Mitchell
- ScreenDaily
European Film Promotion highlights 28 European films for the 90th Academy AwardsPutting a spotlight on a record number of 28 European Oscar® entries, Efp (European Film Promotion) offers additional screenings of the films in L.A. for Academy members, journalists, U.S. distributors and international buyers. With the special support of the Efp member organizations, the event helps the productions to stand out among a record number of 92 submissions for the 90th Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
This year the Efp Screenings Of Oscar® Entries From Europe were held from November 2–15 at the state of the art Dick Clark Screening Room. The campaign is financially supported by the Creative Europe — Media Programme of the European Union and the participating Efp member organizations.
Many of the European Oscar submissions feature European Shooting Stars or were made by Efp-related filmmakers. Notably four films were realized by participants of this year’s edition...
This year the Efp Screenings Of Oscar® Entries From Europe were held from November 2–15 at the state of the art Dick Clark Screening Room. The campaign is financially supported by the Creative Europe — Media Programme of the European Union and the participating Efp member organizations.
Many of the European Oscar submissions feature European Shooting Stars or were made by Efp-related filmmakers. Notably four films were realized by participants of this year’s edition...
- 11/17/2017
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
Tom Of Finland Kino Lorber Director: Dome Karukoski Written by: Aleksi Bardy based on a story by Aleksi Bardy and Dome Karukoski Cast: Pekka Strang, Lauri Tilkanen, Jessica Grabowsky, Taisto Oksanen, Seumas Sargent, Niklas Hogner, Jakob Oftebro, Kari Hietalahti Screened at: Critics’ link, NYC, 10/7/17 Opens: October 13, 2017 Given that Norway and Denmark were […]
The post Tom of Finland Movie Review appeared first on Shockya.com.
The post Tom of Finland Movie Review appeared first on Shockya.com.
- 10/9/2017
- by Harvey Karten
- ShockYa
Separately, Tribeca selections Elián goes to Gravitas Ventures while From The Ashes lands at National Geographic. Factory 25 takes Tribeca 2016 entry Icaros: A Vision.
Kino Lorber has acquired all North American rights to Tom Of Finland, Dome Karukoski’s biopic about the life and work of Finnish artist and gay icon Touko Laaksonen.
Laaksonen was a pioneer in postwar erotic art whose work inspired the early days of the gay liberation movement and became a symbol for generations of Lgbtq people worldwide.
Pekka Strang, Lauri Tilkanen, Jessica Grabowsky, Taisto Oksanen, Seumas Sargent, Jakob Oftebro and Niklas Hogner star in the Helsinki Film production.
The film’s screenwriter Aleksi Bardy produced alongside Miia Haavisto and Annika Sucksdorff of Helsinki Film.
Gunnar Carlsson of Anagram Väst in Sweden, Miriam Nørgaard of Fridthjof Film in Denmark, and Ingvar Thordarson and Sophie Mahlo of Neutrinos Productions Germany were co-producers, in collaboration with Mike Downey and Sam Taylor of Film and Music Entertainment...
Kino Lorber has acquired all North American rights to Tom Of Finland, Dome Karukoski’s biopic about the life and work of Finnish artist and gay icon Touko Laaksonen.
Laaksonen was a pioneer in postwar erotic art whose work inspired the early days of the gay liberation movement and became a symbol for generations of Lgbtq people worldwide.
Pekka Strang, Lauri Tilkanen, Jessica Grabowsky, Taisto Oksanen, Seumas Sargent, Jakob Oftebro and Niklas Hogner star in the Helsinki Film production.
The film’s screenwriter Aleksi Bardy produced alongside Miia Haavisto and Annika Sucksdorff of Helsinki Film.
Gunnar Carlsson of Anagram Väst in Sweden, Miriam Nørgaard of Fridthjof Film in Denmark, and Ingvar Thordarson and Sophie Mahlo of Neutrinos Productions Germany were co-producers, in collaboration with Mike Downey and Sam Taylor of Film and Music Entertainment...
- 4/13/2017
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Dome Karukoski’s biopic will have its world premiere at the Swedish festival.
The world premiere of Dome Karukoski’s Tom Of Finland will open the 2017 Goteborg Film Festival (January 27–February 6).
In honour of the festival’s 40th anniversary, the film will show not only at Goteborg’s Draken cinema but also at a total of 40 locations throughout the region.
The film is a biopic of Touko Laaksonen, the gay art icon who became known as Tom of Finland. The story follows his life as a soldier during the Second World War, through violence and persecution in Helsinki, to liberation in liberal California. Pekka Strang plays the lead role.
“We are very proud about being able to screen Tom Of Finland as the opening film. It’s a beautiful, intelligent and deeply moving portrayal of a fascinating life and a unique artistry. Tom Of Finland is an artistically powerful film possessing great power to attract international attention...
The world premiere of Dome Karukoski’s Tom Of Finland will open the 2017 Goteborg Film Festival (January 27–February 6).
In honour of the festival’s 40th anniversary, the film will show not only at Goteborg’s Draken cinema but also at a total of 40 locations throughout the region.
The film is a biopic of Touko Laaksonen, the gay art icon who became known as Tom of Finland. The story follows his life as a soldier during the Second World War, through violence and persecution in Helsinki, to liberation in liberal California. Pekka Strang plays the lead role.
“We are very proud about being able to screen Tom Of Finland as the opening film. It’s a beautiful, intelligent and deeply moving portrayal of a fascinating life and a unique artistry. Tom Of Finland is an artistically powerful film possessing great power to attract international attention...
- 1/10/2017
- by wendy.mitchell@screendaily.com (Wendy Mitchell)
- ScreenDaily
Wendy Mitchell reports from the festival’s inaugural work in progress session; further titles presented were Winter Brothers, Drib, Under The Tree and Tom Of Finland.
Casting Bjorn Borg’s 13-year-old son Leo to play his father in Borg/McEnroe wasn’t a publicity stunt, the film’s director Janus Metz explained.
“Casting him was a very magical, strange process. We were looking for kids age 13-15 with a talent for sports, and weren’t public that this was for a film about Bjorn Borg. We got in a casting tape for Leo Borg,” the director said.
“For a long time I didn’t want Leo in the movie, because I was genuinely afraid it would be perceived as a publicity stunt,” Metz explained. “But he of course looks like his dad, he’s one of the best tennis players in Sweden in his age group, it’s just so interesting. He had the...
Casting Bjorn Borg’s 13-year-old son Leo to play his father in Borg/McEnroe wasn’t a publicity stunt, the film’s director Janus Metz explained.
“Casting him was a very magical, strange process. We were looking for kids age 13-15 with a talent for sports, and weren’t public that this was for a film about Bjorn Borg. We got in a casting tape for Leo Borg,” the director said.
“For a long time I didn’t want Leo in the movie, because I was genuinely afraid it would be perceived as a publicity stunt,” Metz explained. “But he of course looks like his dad, he’s one of the best tennis players in Sweden in his age group, it’s just so interesting. He had the...
- 11/8/2016
- by wendy.mitchell@screendaily.com (Wendy Mitchell)
- ScreenDaily
Wendy Mitchell reports from the festival’s inaugural work in progress session; further titles presented were Winter Brothers, Drib, Under The Tree and Tom Of Finland.
Casting Bjorn Borg’s 13-year-old son Leo to play his father in Borg/McEnroe wasn’t a publicity stunt, the film’s director Janus Metz explained.
“Casting him was a very magical, strange process. We were looking for kids age 13-15 with a talent for sports, and weren’t public that this was for a film about Bjorn Borg. We got in a casting tape for Leo Borg,” the director said.
“For a long time I didn’t want Leo in the movie, because I was genuinely afraid it would be perceived as a publicity stunt,” Metz explained. “But he of course looks like his dad, he’s one of the best tennis players in Sweden in his age group, it’s just so interesting. He had the...
Casting Bjorn Borg’s 13-year-old son Leo to play his father in Borg/McEnroe wasn’t a publicity stunt, the film’s director Janus Metz explained.
“Casting him was a very magical, strange process. We were looking for kids age 13-15 with a talent for sports, and weren’t public that this was for a film about Bjorn Borg. We got in a casting tape for Leo Borg,” the director said.
“For a long time I didn’t want Leo in the movie, because I was genuinely afraid it would be perceived as a publicity stunt,” Metz explained. “But he of course looks like his dad, he’s one of the best tennis players in Sweden in his age group, it’s just so interesting. He had the...
- 11/8/2016
- by wendy.mitchell@screendaily.com (Wendy Mitchell)
- ScreenDaily
Wendy Mitchell talks to four Finish producers headed to Edinburgh, which is hosting a territory focus on the Scandinavian territory this year.
As part of the Edinburgh International Film Festival’s Finnish focus, four Finnish producers are headed to the festival for meetings and a panel discussion. The wider delegation also includes the filmmakers who have their current films screening in the focus.
Screen caught up with the producers about their new projects during a visit to Helsinki in May.
Helena Mielonen, Bufo Films and B-Plan Distribution
Mielonen runs the marketing department of Mark Lwoff and Misha Jaari’s production...
As part of the Edinburgh International Film Festival’s Finnish focus, four Finnish producers are headed to the festival for meetings and a panel discussion. The wider delegation also includes the filmmakers who have their current films screening in the focus.
Screen caught up with the producers about their new projects during a visit to Helsinki in May.
Helena Mielonen, Bufo Films and B-Plan Distribution
Mielonen runs the marketing department of Mark Lwoff and Misha Jaari’s production...
- 6/16/2016
- by wendy.mitchell@screendaily.com (Wendy Mitchell)
- ScreenDaily
Wendy Mitchell talks to four Finish producers headed to Edinburgh, which is hosting a territory focus on the Scandinavian territory this year.
As part of the Edinburgh International Film Festival’s Finnish focus, four Finnish producers are headed to the festival for meetings and a panel discussion. The wider delegation also includes the filmmakers who have their current films screening in the focus.
Screen caught up with the producers about their new projects during a visit to Helsinki in May.
Helena Mielonen, Bufo Films and B-Plan Distribution
Mielonen runs the marketing department of Mark Lwoff and Misha Jaari’s production...
As part of the Edinburgh International Film Festival’s Finnish focus, four Finnish producers are headed to the festival for meetings and a panel discussion. The wider delegation also includes the filmmakers who have their current films screening in the focus.
Screen caught up with the producers about their new projects during a visit to Helsinki in May.
Helena Mielonen, Bufo Films and B-Plan Distribution
Mielonen runs the marketing department of Mark Lwoff and Misha Jaari’s production...
- 6/16/2016
- by wendy.mitchell@screendaily.com (Wendy Mitchell)
- ScreenDaily
The Swedish Film Institute has backed nineteen projects in its latest round of funding.
Swedish director Sanna Lenken, who won Berlin’s Crystal Bear in 2015 with My Skinny Sister, is now making a 30-minute short Night Child (Nattbarn), based on a graphic novel by Hanna Gustafsson.
The story is about 14-year-old girl Iggy “who lives a parallel online life to avoid the everyday tedium. A story about identity, sexuality, borderlands and friendship.”
The film is one of several new productions getting backing from the Swedish Film Institute. Others include Dome Karukoski’s anticipated new Tom Of Finland biopic [pictured] and Agnieszka Holland’s Polish drama Game Count.
Other projects backed, listed from highest investments, are:
Becoming Zlatan, wr/dirs Fredrik Gertten, Magnus Gertten; prods Margarete Jangård, Lennart Ström. Documentary about charismatic footballer Zlatan Ibrahimović. $246,000 (2m Sek)
Tom Of Finland, dir Dome Karukoski, wr Aleksi Bardy, prods Gunnar Carlsson, Emma Åkesdotter Ronge. Drama about the...
Swedish director Sanna Lenken, who won Berlin’s Crystal Bear in 2015 with My Skinny Sister, is now making a 30-minute short Night Child (Nattbarn), based on a graphic novel by Hanna Gustafsson.
The story is about 14-year-old girl Iggy “who lives a parallel online life to avoid the everyday tedium. A story about identity, sexuality, borderlands and friendship.”
The film is one of several new productions getting backing from the Swedish Film Institute. Others include Dome Karukoski’s anticipated new Tom Of Finland biopic [pictured] and Agnieszka Holland’s Polish drama Game Count.
Other projects backed, listed from highest investments, are:
Becoming Zlatan, wr/dirs Fredrik Gertten, Magnus Gertten; prods Margarete Jangård, Lennart Ström. Documentary about charismatic footballer Zlatan Ibrahimović. $246,000 (2m Sek)
Tom Of Finland, dir Dome Karukoski, wr Aleksi Bardy, prods Gunnar Carlsson, Emma Åkesdotter Ronge. Drama about the...
- 4/4/2016
- by wendy.mitchell@screendaily.com (Wendy Mitchell)
- ScreenDaily
Lauri Tilkanen, Jessica Grabowski and German Werner Daehn also added to cast.
Pekka Strang (Producing Adults) will lead Dome Karukoski’s Tom Of Finland, which has also added Lauri Tilkanen, Jessica Grabowski and German Werner Daehn to its cast.
Aleksi Bardy wrote the screenplay for the film, which tells the life story of Touko Laaksonen, a man who would become known around the world by his nom de guerre “Tom Of Finland”.
Finnish production outfit Helsinki-Filmi is producing the project in co-production with Sweden’s Anagram Väst, Denmark’s Fridthjof Film and Germany’s Neutrinos Productions.
The cast were revealed during a press conference at the Berlinale, at which director Karukoski stated: “It’s incredible to think that this person from a small country like Finland could change the world.
“When Aleksi said we should do Tom of Finland - I started reading about him, talking to people who knew him, and for me...
Pekka Strang (Producing Adults) will lead Dome Karukoski’s Tom Of Finland, which has also added Lauri Tilkanen, Jessica Grabowski and German Werner Daehn to its cast.
Aleksi Bardy wrote the screenplay for the film, which tells the life story of Touko Laaksonen, a man who would become known around the world by his nom de guerre “Tom Of Finland”.
Finnish production outfit Helsinki-Filmi is producing the project in co-production with Sweden’s Anagram Väst, Denmark’s Fridthjof Film and Germany’s Neutrinos Productions.
The cast were revealed during a press conference at the Berlinale, at which director Karukoski stated: “It’s incredible to think that this person from a small country like Finland could change the world.
“When Aleksi said we should do Tom of Finland - I started reading about him, talking to people who knew him, and for me...
- 2/14/2016
- ScreenDaily
Protagonist Pictures has come on board to handle worldwide sales on Dome Karukoski's latest project Tom Of Finland, a drama about the life and times of iconic Finnish artist Touko Laaksonen. Aleksi Bardy wrote the screenplay for the film which tells the life story a man who would become known around the world by his nom de guerre "Tom Of Finland". The cast of the film will be announced during in Berlin. Production is due to start in the Spring in Gothenberg, Sweden…...
- 2/9/2016
- Deadline
Drama about the iconic gay artist to shoot in Sweden.
Protagonist Pictures has come on board to handle worldwide sales on Dome Karukoski’s Tom Of Finland, a drama about the life and times of the Finnish, gay artist.
Aleksi Bardy wrote the screenplay for the film, which tells the life story of Touko Laaksonen, a man who would become known around the world by his nom de guerre “Tom Of Finland”.
The cast of the film will be announced during the Berlinale at a press conference on Sunday. Production is due to start this Spring in Gothenberg, Sweden.
The story centres on Laaksonen, who returned home to Helsinki a hero after a harrowing and eventful military service in World War II, but found life during peacetime equally distressing. Persecuted for his homosexuality, he conducted secret affairs and was pressured to marry a woman.
He discovered freedom in his art, specialising in homoerotic...
Protagonist Pictures has come on board to handle worldwide sales on Dome Karukoski’s Tom Of Finland, a drama about the life and times of the Finnish, gay artist.
Aleksi Bardy wrote the screenplay for the film, which tells the life story of Touko Laaksonen, a man who would become known around the world by his nom de guerre “Tom Of Finland”.
The cast of the film will be announced during the Berlinale at a press conference on Sunday. Production is due to start this Spring in Gothenberg, Sweden.
The story centres on Laaksonen, who returned home to Helsinki a hero after a harrowing and eventful military service in World War II, but found life during peacetime equally distressing. Persecuted for his homosexuality, he conducted secret affairs and was pressured to marry a woman.
He discovered freedom in his art, specialising in homoerotic...
- 2/8/2016
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
Protagonist Pictures has announced "Tom of Finland," a new biopic about the famed artist whose erotic drawings of masculine sexual archetypes became a major part of the gay civil rights movement and are now major collector's items.
Aleksi Bardy wrote the screenplay for the film which follows the life story of Touko Laaksonen who returned home to Helsinki a hero during WW2. Persecuted for his homosexuality, he found refuge and liberation in his art - homoerotic drawings of muscular men in sexually uninhibited situations.
Known by his artist name of 'Tom of Finland,' he developed a worldwide following that helped fan the flames of a gay revolution in the United States.
The cast for the film will be announced at the Berlin Film Festival this coming weekend. Shooting will take place this Spring in Gothenberg, Sweden.
Source: Screen Daily...
Aleksi Bardy wrote the screenplay for the film which follows the life story of Touko Laaksonen who returned home to Helsinki a hero during WW2. Persecuted for his homosexuality, he found refuge and liberation in his art - homoerotic drawings of muscular men in sexually uninhibited situations.
Known by his artist name of 'Tom of Finland,' he developed a worldwide following that helped fan the flames of a gay revolution in the United States.
The cast for the film will be announced at the Berlin Film Festival this coming weekend. Shooting will take place this Spring in Gothenberg, Sweden.
Source: Screen Daily...
- 2/8/2016
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Pirjo Honkasolo’s Concrete Night and J-p Valkeapään’s They Have Escaped were among the winners at the Finnish Film Week (Sept 18-24) in Helsinki.
Honkasolo’s drama - Finland’s Best Foreign Language Film submission at the last Oscars - won awards for art director Pentti Valkeasuo and the team of gaffer Jani Lehtinen, camera operator Nea Salmisen, key grip/second unit cameraman Arttu Peltomaan and colour editor Jussi Myllyniemen.
Helsinki-Filmi’s Aleksi Bardy was named Producer of the Year for They Have Escaped, for which J-p Valkeapään was named Director of the Year.
Bardy, Valkeapään and screenwriter Pilvi Peltola have also been nominated for the Nordic Council Film Prize which will be announced during a session of the Nordic Council in Reykjavik on Oct 27.
Professional associations also recognised the achievements of screenwriter Petja Peltomaa, head of drama at Yellow Film & TV, and Iikka Vehkalahti, documentary filmmaker and Yle commissioning editor.
Actors to receive...
Honkasolo’s drama - Finland’s Best Foreign Language Film submission at the last Oscars - won awards for art director Pentti Valkeasuo and the team of gaffer Jani Lehtinen, camera operator Nea Salmisen, key grip/second unit cameraman Arttu Peltomaan and colour editor Jussi Myllyniemen.
Helsinki-Filmi’s Aleksi Bardy was named Producer of the Year for They Have Escaped, for which J-p Valkeapään was named Director of the Year.
Bardy, Valkeapään and screenwriter Pilvi Peltola have also been nominated for the Nordic Council Film Prize which will be announced during a session of the Nordic Council in Reykjavik on Oct 27.
Professional associations also recognised the achievements of screenwriter Petja Peltomaa, head of drama at Yellow Film & TV, and Iikka Vehkalahti, documentary filmmaker and Yle commissioning editor.
Actors to receive...
- 9/28/2015
- by screen.berlin@googlemail.com (Martin Blaney)
- ScreenDaily
Teenage outcast drama wins four Jussi awards including best film.
J-p Valkeapää’s They Have Escaped (He ovat paenneet) snapped up four prizes at the annual Jussi gala in Helsinki last night (Feb 1). The ceremony is hosted by the Filmiaura Association of Finnish Film Professionals and celebrates Finnish cinema.
Valkeapää’s depiction of two teenage outcasts who leave a custody centre for a cross-country ramble won Best Feature, Best Director, Best Editing and Best Sound Design. The film debuted last year at the Venice Film Festival and Toronto International Film Festival.
Antti Heikki’s Headfirst received two Jussis (from five nominations) as did Virpi Suutari’s documentary Garden Lovers (Eedenistä pohjoiseen).
Dome Karukoski’s The Grump (Mielensäpahoittaja) – last year’s local blockbuster, recording 458,637 admissions – garnered Antti Litja the Best Actor award and an Honorary Concrete Jussi.
Finnish Jussi Winners 2015
Best Film: They Have Escaped (He ovat paenneet). Prod: Aleksi Bardy
Best Director: J-p Valkeapää, for [link=tt...
J-p Valkeapää’s They Have Escaped (He ovat paenneet) snapped up four prizes at the annual Jussi gala in Helsinki last night (Feb 1). The ceremony is hosted by the Filmiaura Association of Finnish Film Professionals and celebrates Finnish cinema.
Valkeapää’s depiction of two teenage outcasts who leave a custody centre for a cross-country ramble won Best Feature, Best Director, Best Editing and Best Sound Design. The film debuted last year at the Venice Film Festival and Toronto International Film Festival.
Antti Heikki’s Headfirst received two Jussis (from five nominations) as did Virpi Suutari’s documentary Garden Lovers (Eedenistä pohjoiseen).
Dome Karukoski’s The Grump (Mielensäpahoittaja) – last year’s local blockbuster, recording 458,637 admissions – garnered Antti Litja the Best Actor award and an Honorary Concrete Jussi.
Finnish Jussi Winners 2015
Best Film: They Have Escaped (He ovat paenneet). Prod: Aleksi Bardy
Best Director: J-p Valkeapää, for [link=tt...
- 2/2/2015
- by jornrossing@aol.com (Jorn Rossing Jensen)
- ScreenDaily
Coverage of International Sales Agents (ISAs) has resumed for the Toronto International Film Festival. This segment covers inspirational companies that have officially selected films in the festival. SydneysBuzz features ISAs, as they play an instrumental and necessary role in helping filmmakers to share their visions and voices with the world.
The Yellow Affair, based in Stockholm and Helsinki, will be at the Toronto International Film Festival with two official selections: "They Have Escaped" (Vanguard Selection) and "The Grump" (Contemporary World Cinema). The company has two additional new films including Big News From Grand Rock" and "Fell".
The Yellow Affair has been around for nearly five years, and 2014 was its fifth year at the Cannes Film Festival as well. The Yellow Affair's CEO and International Sales Agent Miira Paasilinna started the company with Aleksi Bardy, a producer at Helsinki Filmi, a Finnish production company.
Miira shares her company’s nontraditional 50/50 profit model, her background, and her views on changes in the industry:
How did you start The Yellow Affair?
I founded the company together with the chairman of the board, Aleksi Bardy, who’s a producer at Helsinki Filmi. From the beginning, we’ve worked very closely with them. Before that, I was working at Non-Stop Sales, a Swedish sales outfit.
When I was working with Aleksi, he proposed this new type of business plan for international sales. I thought it was appealing, as it benefitted the producers much more than the traditional model. That was the reason we started the company.
How is your model different?
Basically, we call it the 50/50 model. The idea is that the producers get money from the first penny, so there’s no cost off the top. There’s no hidden cost, and things that can be allocated to films without producers having any control. They immediately get 50% of everything. As the sales agent, we get 50% up to a certain level. Let’s say the film does really well - we can’t demand 50% of sales forever. We don’t play with costs as other sales agents do, so that’s been a very important principle for us. Our producers really like that, because it’s a transparent model. We are proud to work with our producers and work very closely with them, rather than just doing it on our own.
We do work with the traditional model with some of our bigger films. It's often up to the producers and what they’re most comfortable with, but once they look at the numbers, they really like the 50/50 model.
Were you always in sales?
I have a background in TV production. I’ve been a producer and a director, and I had a small production company while doing that. I'm also an economist, so I actually have a business background. I have a masters degree in economics, and a bachelor’s degree in media. Sales is a good way to combine creativity with business. That’s one reason why I wanted to do film sales. I first was kind of geared more to becoming a producer, but then I realized that I like the marketing, selling and pitching of films. The tempo is a bit faster, and instead of handling just a few films, you have a big slate of films. I really enjoy that part.
What types of films do you represent?
Our catalog is mostly art house, festival driven films of high production quality. We carry films from about twenty countries, so we’re not just geared up with Scandinavian films, even though we’re based in Helsinki and Stockholm. The combination of good quality film that we can also sell and bring to festivals is important for us.
We’re getting into the bigger budget films at the moment. Our first larger scale film is "The Girl King", an English language period piece by Mika Kaurismäki. Its world-class cast includes Malin Buska, Sarah Gadon, Michael Nyqvist, Hippolyte Girardot and Martina Gedeck. It's in postproduction at the moment.
How do you feel about the changes of business in the industry?
Looking at all my years in sales, the prices have definitely gone down for art house films. I see that it’s difficult for distributors; they're making less money, and so we are making less money as well. From our point of view, it’s important to be really selective and know what type of films to really take in. I think it’s a very difficult market, but I’m happy to say that we’ve been getting income from VOD sales. When there was a drop in DVD sales, VOD sales started to pick up, and there are now some ok deals out there for digital rights.
I think there’s a bit of a lull now, and things are changing. There are some incentives that have been negatively affected in the European film business, and we could already see the reflection of this at Berlin and Cannes this year, as sales for smaller films were more difficult.
The award winning festival films do have a place in the market, and they can have nice theatrical release. The windows are just getting shorter at the same time. It’s an interesting challenge, but one has to be awake and alert all the time to move with the market.
The Yellow Affair, based in Stockholm and Helsinki, will be at the Toronto International Film Festival with two official selections: "They Have Escaped" (Vanguard Selection) and "The Grump" (Contemporary World Cinema). The company has two additional new films including Big News From Grand Rock" and "Fell".
The Yellow Affair has been around for nearly five years, and 2014 was its fifth year at the Cannes Film Festival as well. The Yellow Affair's CEO and International Sales Agent Miira Paasilinna started the company with Aleksi Bardy, a producer at Helsinki Filmi, a Finnish production company.
Miira shares her company’s nontraditional 50/50 profit model, her background, and her views on changes in the industry:
How did you start The Yellow Affair?
I founded the company together with the chairman of the board, Aleksi Bardy, who’s a producer at Helsinki Filmi. From the beginning, we’ve worked very closely with them. Before that, I was working at Non-Stop Sales, a Swedish sales outfit.
When I was working with Aleksi, he proposed this new type of business plan for international sales. I thought it was appealing, as it benefitted the producers much more than the traditional model. That was the reason we started the company.
How is your model different?
Basically, we call it the 50/50 model. The idea is that the producers get money from the first penny, so there’s no cost off the top. There’s no hidden cost, and things that can be allocated to films without producers having any control. They immediately get 50% of everything. As the sales agent, we get 50% up to a certain level. Let’s say the film does really well - we can’t demand 50% of sales forever. We don’t play with costs as other sales agents do, so that’s been a very important principle for us. Our producers really like that, because it’s a transparent model. We are proud to work with our producers and work very closely with them, rather than just doing it on our own.
We do work with the traditional model with some of our bigger films. It's often up to the producers and what they’re most comfortable with, but once they look at the numbers, they really like the 50/50 model.
Were you always in sales?
I have a background in TV production. I’ve been a producer and a director, and I had a small production company while doing that. I'm also an economist, so I actually have a business background. I have a masters degree in economics, and a bachelor’s degree in media. Sales is a good way to combine creativity with business. That’s one reason why I wanted to do film sales. I first was kind of geared more to becoming a producer, but then I realized that I like the marketing, selling and pitching of films. The tempo is a bit faster, and instead of handling just a few films, you have a big slate of films. I really enjoy that part.
What types of films do you represent?
Our catalog is mostly art house, festival driven films of high production quality. We carry films from about twenty countries, so we’re not just geared up with Scandinavian films, even though we’re based in Helsinki and Stockholm. The combination of good quality film that we can also sell and bring to festivals is important for us.
We’re getting into the bigger budget films at the moment. Our first larger scale film is "The Girl King", an English language period piece by Mika Kaurismäki. Its world-class cast includes Malin Buska, Sarah Gadon, Michael Nyqvist, Hippolyte Girardot and Martina Gedeck. It's in postproduction at the moment.
How do you feel about the changes of business in the industry?
Looking at all my years in sales, the prices have definitely gone down for art house films. I see that it’s difficult for distributors; they're making less money, and so we are making less money as well. From our point of view, it’s important to be really selective and know what type of films to really take in. I think it’s a very difficult market, but I’m happy to say that we’ve been getting income from VOD sales. When there was a drop in DVD sales, VOD sales started to pick up, and there are now some ok deals out there for digital rights.
I think there’s a bit of a lull now, and things are changing. There are some incentives that have been negatively affected in the European film business, and we could already see the reflection of this at Berlin and Cannes this year, as sales for smaller films were more difficult.
The award winning festival films do have a place in the market, and they can have nice theatrical release. The windows are just getting shorter at the same time. It’s an interesting challenge, but one has to be awake and alert all the time to move with the market.
- 9/5/2014
- by Erin Grover
- Sydney's Buzz
Heart of a Lion
Written by Aleksi Bardy
Directed by Dome Karukoski
Finland, 2013
Meet Teppo’s (Peter Franzén) gang. They’ve been through thick and thin together, and always have each other’s back. They laugh together, drink together, and are proud of each other. When Teppo’s brother Harri (Jasper Pääkkönen) decides to make good on his love for his native Finland and join the army, the group throws him a joyous party to celebrate his selfless decision. So what if they spend some of their weekends terrorizing black street vendors and beating Roma families to a pulp? And anyway, what’s a little race-motivated gang violence among friends?
Heart of a Lion’s premise is inoffensive enough. Teppo, who is part of a Finnish Neo-Nazi group, meets Sari (Laura Birn) and it’s love at first sight; except she quickly finds out about his racist beliefs and is understandably horrified,...
Written by Aleksi Bardy
Directed by Dome Karukoski
Finland, 2013
Meet Teppo’s (Peter Franzén) gang. They’ve been through thick and thin together, and always have each other’s back. They laugh together, drink together, and are proud of each other. When Teppo’s brother Harri (Jasper Pääkkönen) decides to make good on his love for his native Finland and join the army, the group throws him a joyous party to celebrate his selfless decision. So what if they spend some of their weekends terrorizing black street vendors and beating Roma families to a pulp? And anyway, what’s a little race-motivated gang violence among friends?
Heart of a Lion’s premise is inoffensive enough. Teppo, who is part of a Finnish Neo-Nazi group, meets Sari (Laura Birn) and it’s love at first sight; except she quickly finds out about his racist beliefs and is understandably horrified,...
- 9/19/2013
- by Laura Holtebrinck
- SoundOnSight
Exclusive: Dome Karukoski, here in Toronto with Heart of a Lion, is now set to direct his first English-language film, a biopic of groundbreaking artist Tom of Finland.
This will be the only authorized biopic of the artist as cleared by the Tom of Finland Foundation.
Tom of Finland was famous for his groundbreaking sexually explicit drawings of muscular men; his work is in collections at MoMA and Lacma.
Producers Helsinki-filmi have secured exclusive rights to the entire archives and all images from the artist. “We are working quite closely with the Foundation,” producer Aleksi Bardy told Screen. “It was very important for them that we wanted to respect the copyrights for his work. He has been pirated so much over the years.”
“I think it’s a story of liberation, it’s a very universal story,” Bardy added.
Casting of an international actor will be announced in early 2014 and the film will start shooting in December...
This will be the only authorized biopic of the artist as cleared by the Tom of Finland Foundation.
Tom of Finland was famous for his groundbreaking sexually explicit drawings of muscular men; his work is in collections at MoMA and Lacma.
Producers Helsinki-filmi have secured exclusive rights to the entire archives and all images from the artist. “We are working quite closely with the Foundation,” producer Aleksi Bardy told Screen. “It was very important for them that we wanted to respect the copyrights for his work. He has been pirated so much over the years.”
“I think it’s a story of liberation, it’s a very universal story,” Bardy added.
Casting of an international actor will be announced in early 2014 and the film will start shooting in December...
- 9/9/2013
- by wendy.mitchell@screendaily.com (Wendy Mitchell)
- ScreenDaily
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