MC Helper beKINGs

Kaitsu Walfrid Rinkinen: MC Helper beKINGs (FI 2022).

FI 2022. PC: Rabbit Films Oy Ltd / KR-Produktio Oy. P: Minna Haapkylä, Sanna Kultanen, Eve Särkänne, Janne Kaperi. EX: Olli Suominen.
    D+SC: Kaitsu Walfrid Rinkinen. Cin: Miska Karioja. AD: Janne Kaperi. Cost: Eve Särkänne. Makeup: Emma Räsänen. Masters of explosions: Pommi-Henkka, Paukku-Jussi. M: Tuomas Kantelinen. S: Kimmo Perkkiö. ED: Miska Karioja.
    C: Kaitsu Walfrid Rinkinen / Räkä        
Janne Kaperi / Liima        
Tuomas Rinkinen / Töhö        
Joel Hirvonen / Spägä        
Celin El Azizi / Herkku        
Sami Kemell / Kullervo        
Tommi Korpela / Mustakäsi        
Jenni Kokander / pitseriapomo        
Tatu Sinisalo / Köntsä        
Ilona Chevakova / Hammaskeiju        
Emppu Kainulainen / Könni        
Markku Suonsivu / Mönni        
Jussi Pulkkinen / poliisi 1        
Matti Roth / poliisi 2        
Sara Chafak / Herkun kaveri bensiksellä
Bilebändi: Portion Boys, Kenraali Vahva, El Meissel, JaloTiina, Taiteilija Nieminen, A. P. Vuori.
    Loc: Punkaharju, Savonlinna, Savitaipale, Outokumpu.
    100 min
    Finnish premiere: 22 April 2022 – distributed by Aurora Studios Oy – rated 12.
    Viewed at Finnkino Strand 3, Iso Kristiina, Lappeenranta, 28 May 2022.

Official presentation: "MC Helper beKINGs on kevään 2022 päräyttävin leffatapaus, joka pistää kokeneemmankin katsojan kiertokanget solmuun ja öljyt sekaisin!

Räkä (Kaitsu Walfrid Rinkinen) kuskaa leipätyökseen pitsoja ja vapaalla aika kuluu mopomiiteissä. Räkä ja Liima (Janne Kaperi) löytävät miitissä yhteisen taajuuden ja heidän silmissään alkaa siintää ykkössija Harjuajoissa. Mopokerho MC Helper on syntynyt.

Räkän pitsahommat lähtevät keulimaan ja pomo (Jenni Kokander) ottaa pultit. MC Helperin menestys moposkaboissa taas vaatisi vielä viritettyä Orkkis Mankia ja tankkia täynnä ysiviitosta. Kun lisäksi Räkä, Liima ja porukan uusin vahvistus Köntsä (Tatu Sinisalo) sotkeutuvat isomman mopokerhon, MC Mustakäden, pärinäbisneksiin, ajautuvat suunnitelmat sivuluisuun. MC Mustakäden pomo (Tommi Korpela) ja ykköskuski Spägä (Joel Hirvonen) vetävät kierroksia ja omaa agendaansa ajava Herkku (Celin El Azizi) saa tunnelman tiivistymään entisestään. Mäyhemi on valmis.

Luvassa on räjähdysherkkä soppa, joka tarjoillaan rusentuneiden mäntien, mustaksi hakattujen ruumiinosien, revittyjen hampaiden sekä sydänsurujen kera.

* * * * * * *

Toimintakomedia on suosittujen MC Helper -lyhytelokuvien esiosa ja taustatarina, joka kertoo, kuinka MC Helper -mopokerhon stoori alkoi. MC Helperin on luonut stunt-sketsiryhmä Biisonimafia, ja sen matkaa teatterileffaksi on seurattu Ylen Punkaharjun pojat -sarjassa. Punkaharjun pojat on tämän kevään Kultaisen Venlan Vuoden ohjelma -palkinnon yleisöäänestyksen finalisti.

Kaksi ensimmäistä MC Helper -lyhäriä julkaistiin vuosina 2015 ja 2016 YouTubessa, jossa ne ovat keränneet miljoonia näyttökertoja. Kolmas, lyhytelokuvista pisin, MC Helper 3, julkaistiin Elisa Viihde -palvelussa, jossa se oli yksi vuoden 2018 katsotuimmista elokuvista.

Nyt MC Helper, ”Suomi-Tuben oma Sons of Anarchy”, nähdään ensimmäistä kertaa pitkänä valkokangaselokuvana. MC Helper beKINGs on oma itsenäinen elokuvansa, mutta saanut alkunsa näiden aiemmin tehtyjen, tarinallisesti myöhempään ajoittuvien lyhytelokuvien katsojien toiveesta.

Elokuvassa nähdään niin MC Helper -lyhäreistä tuttuja kuin Suomen viihdetaivaalta tunnettuja näyttelijöitä. Pääosissa keulivat Kaitsu Rinkinen, Janne Kaperi, Tuomas Rinkinen, Joel Hirvonen, Celin El Azizi ja Sami Kemell. Sivuvaunussa näyttelevät myös Tommi Korpela, Jenni Kokander, Tatu Sinisalo, Ilona Chevakova sekä Suomen Tube-skenen ykkösnimiä. Leffan upeista mopotempuista vastaavat maan kovimmat stunt-kuskit.

MC Helper beKINGs kaahaa valkokankaille 22.4.2022!" (Official presentation)

AA: A feature-length action comedy about moped gangs heading towards a big contest called Harjuajot (Ridge Races).

MC Helper beKINGs is a dream come true for its creators, 16 years in the making, following a cycle of shorts released on YouTube, Elisa Viihde and Yle the Finnish Broadcasting Corporation. There is a backstory about drug smuggling behind the facade of pizza deliveries, handled with a spoof attitude.

The interaction of professionals and non-professionals is seamless in front of the camera and behind.

This is genre cinema. The film-makers know the conventions well but instead of doing pastiche, they use them as means of expression for original comedy. The movie is an exercise in style, and the instinct for style is impeccable. Everything is carefully synchronized, including the performances. The action setpieces are impressive and well photographed. The score is by the maestro Tuomas Kantelinen, and there is an engaging soundtrack of songs by the likes of Portion Boys with their retro 1990s techno beat approach and humoristic lyrics.

MC Helper beKINGs is not a profound statement but a perfectly kinetic showcase of genre energy.

Toiset äänet / The Other Voice

Annika Grof: Toiset äänet / The Other Voice (FI 2022).

FI 2022 Tarasow Films. P: Joon Tervakari.
    D+SC+CIN: Annika Grof. M: Ville Riippa. S: Pietari Koskinen. ED: Joon Tervakari.
    A documentary film on the University Law (24.7.2009/558).
    Featuring: Jukka Kekkonen, Gaela Keryell, Lena Näre, Taina Saarikivi
    89 min
    In Finnish, English, French, subtitled in Finnish and English.
    Festival premiere: 3 Feb 2022 DocPoint.
    Finnish premiere: 27 May 2022.
    Viewed at Finnkino Strand, Iso Kristiina, Lappeenranta, 27 May 2022.

Official synopsis:

"On vaalikevät 2019. Jukka, professori Helsingin yliopistosta, kävelee ensimmäistä kertaa kansanedustajaehdokkaana vaalistarttitilaisuuteen. Hän on päättänyt muuttaa surkean yliopistolain, vaikka yksin. Samaan aikaan opetuksen ja tieteen ammattilaiset, Gaela, Lena ja Taina, käyvät omaa kamppailuaan pystyäkseen opettamaan ja tutkimaan. Oikeustaistelu, irtisanomiset, resurssien puute ja toimimattomat rakenteet. Kovin vastus on kuitenkin neljän vuoden välein vaihtuva koulutus- ja tiedevastainen maan hallitus, jonka paikalle on näissäkin vaaleissa ruuhkaa."

"DocPointissa ensiesityksensä saanut Toiset äänet on Annika Grofin särmikäs ja popahtava kollaasielokuva neljästä yliopistolaisesta ja yhdestä kuvaajasta. Elokuva peilaa yliopistojen traagista tilaa lähihistorian poliittisiin kiemuroihin paljastaen samalla demokraattisen järjestelmämme valuvikoja."

Synopsis in English:

"It is parliamentary election spring 2019. Jukka, a professor from the University of Helsinki and a first time candidate, is walking to the kick-off event, and is determined to change the lousy University Act. At the same time, education and science professionals, Gaela, Lena and Taina, go through their own battle to be able to teach and research - struggling with law case, layoffs, lack of resources and dysfunctional structures. However, the biggest resistance is The Finnish anti-education and anti-science Government, which changes every four years."

"The Other Voice is Annika Grof’s edgy and popping collage film about four academics and one cinematographer. The film reflects the tragic situation of the university to the recent past's national political twists and turns revealing the future guidelines of Finnish democracy."

AA: Finns are a small people, but we are great in culture and education, both now in danger.

The focus here is in the devastating University Law (24.7.2009/558) and the punishing cuts that have followed. Legislated by the clueless politicians that formed the government, and not rectified by other parties that formed the opposition at the time. Based on a short-sightedness typical of an era living in the immediate present, unable to grasp long-term consequences.

The themes are epic, but in this film they are treated in a way so haphazard that it is almost comically disproportionate with the gravity of the matter at hand.

I have appreciated Annika Grof's previous films, Liikkumavara / Within Limits (2009) and Syksyn jälkeen saapuu kevät / Sygyzyn jälles tulou kevät / There Will Be Spring (2020), both breaking new ground. This movie is not of the same caliber.

Top Gun: Maverick

Joseph Kosinski: Top Gun: Maverick (US 2022) starring Tom Cruise as Pete "Maverick" Mitchell. "The last remaining global star who still only makes movies for movie theaters. He hasn’t ventured into streaming. He hasn’t signed up for a limited series." (Nicole Sperling: "Hollywood’s Last Real Movie Star", in The New York Times, 20 May 2022).

Top Gun: Maverick / Top Gun: Maverick.
    US © 2022 Paramount Pictures. PC: Skydance Media and Don Simpson/Jerry Bruckheimer Films. P: Jerry Bruckheimer, Tom Cruise, Christopher McQuarrie, David Ellison.
    D: Joseph Kosinski. SC: Ehren Kruger, Eric Warren Singer, Christopher McQuarrie. Story by: Peter Craig, Justin Marks. Based on: characters by Jim Cash, Jack Epps, Jr.
    Cin: Claudio Miranda. Colour. IMAX 1.90:1. Other: 2.39:1. Shot on 6K IMAX. Source format: X-OCN ST 6K. Master format: 4K. Camera: Sony CineAlta Venice IMAX. Release formats: 4K DCP, also 3D.
    PD: Jeremy Hindle. AD: Clint Wallace. Cost: Marlene Stewart. Makeup: Elena Arroy. Hair: Jules Holdren. VFX: Method Studios, MPC, Lola VFX,  Lux Machina. M: Lorne Balfe, Harold Faltermeyer, Lady Gaga, Hans Zimmer. "Hold My Hand" (Lady Gaga). "Great Balls of Fire" (Otis Blackwell, Jack Hammer) in singalong. S: James Mather, Al Nelson, Bjorn Ole Schroeder. ED: Eddie Hamilton..
    C: Tom Cruise, Jennifer Connelly, Miles Teller, Jon Hamm, Glen Powell, Lewis Pullman, Ed Harris, Val Kilmer, Monica Barbaro (in more detail beyond the jump break).
    Filming dates: 3 Sep 2018 – July 2019.
    131 min
    Festival premiere: 18 May 2022 Cannes.
    Finnish premiere: 26 May 2022 released by Finnkino with Finnish / Swedish subtitles by Marko Hartama / Janne Staffans. Rated 12.
    Viewed at Finnkino Strand, Iso Kristiina, Lappeenranta, 26 May 2022

AA: The anticipation is high already in the lobby and the queues to ticket counters. A Kawasaki motorcycle is on display, photo opportunities are eagerly utilized. It's a party before the screening has even started. Already in the lobby I know that this movie will be a success.

In Finland, the months from Easter till Midsummer are typically a "Death Valley" for cinema releases. Our short summer is about to start, and people prefer to enjoy sunny afternoons and evenings outdoors. It takes a special film to change this behaviour.

I have enormous respect for film-makers with a strong instinct for what is popular in the cinema. It is wizardry. The risks are enormous. The makers of Top Gun: Maverick know what they are doing. This is not my kind of cinema, but I watch it with admiration.

Performance-wise, this is more one-sidedly a Tom Cruise vehicle than the original Top Gun which had a more evenly balanced star cast. Story-wise, what I like in this film most is the theme of team spirit. My favourite is the beach ball scene where the admiral asks what the hell is going on when urgent rehearsals should be happening. Maverick tells him that the play is about building the team and its dynamics.

The cast is up to date in terms of diversity and gender, The female characters are subjects, they have agency. Admiral Tom "Iceman" Kazansky (Val Kilmer) is handicapped with a speech disability and expresses himself best via sms. Like in the original, there is a potent gay current in the movie. The women are no token women, but male bonding is fundamental.

The plot is a thrilling adventure story. The circumstances and the vehicles seem to be of documentary accuracy.

I am a fan of aviation movies and its masters including William A. Wellman (Island in the Sky) and Howard Hawks (Air Force). The original Top Gun belonged to the 1980s turbocharged action wave, whose true creators in my opinion were producers like Don Simpson/Jerry Bruckheimer (Top Gun) and Joel Silver/Lawrence Gordon. They represented an architectural school or an approach of the industrial/military complex. The appetite for speed and destruction was interesting to speculate from a Paul Virilio approach. They were relevant for post-modernism, simultaneously glorifications and dystopias of a culture of consumption and instant gratification. Films of emptiness and about emptiness.

The opening test pilot sequence still belongs to Paul Virilio territory. It is about meeting the Mach 10 speed objective and pushing further into high-hypersonic speed. It's also a Kantian sequence: the destiny of human understanding is to set itself tasks that transcend its own limitations.

Tony Scott, to whom this movie is dedicated, was a director able to sustain a profile of his own in the turbocharged school. Jerry Bruckheimer is till producing, and Tom Cruise has selected the director Joseph Kosinski.

This is a star-driven film, and Tom Cruise is ageing well and carrying the challenges of responsibility and maturity in a new way. It's no longer about showing who is best but bringing the team to the dangerous mission and back alive.

In a parallel to the James Bond series, Maverick faces the fact that he is a man of the past. In James Bond's world, espionage has turned to cyberspace. In Maverick's world, the emphasis in increasingly in unmanned aircraft like drones. The era of the dogfights is being consigned to history. The virtual is replacing the real. Robots are substituting humans.

Pete Mitchell remains true to his "Maverick" nickname, but the pressure and the adversities keep growing. The pain and the suffering are getting harder to take. All this is written on the map of Tom Cruise's face. The past is always present. We keep seeing those forever young.

Tom Cruise is a solid audience draw, and this film is guaranteed to revive it once again. Tom Cruise treats his audience with respect, and this, in return, commands respect.

PLOT FROM WIKIPEDIA:

The Happy Worker

John Webster: The Happy Worker – Or How Work Was Sabotaged (FI 2022).

The Happy Worker – miten työ sabotoitiin / The Happy Worker – Or How Work Was Sabotaged.
FI © 2022 Yellow Film & TV. P: Marko Talli.
    D+SC: John Webster. Cin: Jarkko T. Laine, Sun Ryung Kim. Graphic design: Jussi Turunen. Second screenwriter and line producer: Eveliina Kantola. M: Olav R. Øyehaug. S: Yngve Leidulv Sætre. ED: Kimmo Taavila, John Webster.
    A non-fiction film.
    Feat: Bernardo Alves, Gemma Faires, David Graeber, Jim Harter, Tiejo Keppler, Eunawn (Hazel) Lee, Christina Maslach, Carlotta Servadio, André Spicer, Vanessa Törnblom.
    82 min
    Original in English.
    Festival premiere: 24 March 2022 CPH DOX
    Finnish premiere: 6 May 2022 – released by SF Studios – with Finnish / Swedish subtitles (n.c.).
    Corona precaution: none.
    Viewed at Finnkino Strand 3, Iso Kristiina, Lappeenranta, 13 May 2022
   
Official synopsis: " THE HAPPY WORKER takes us behind the shiny corporate facades to reveal the systemic problems that plague the workplace: from a culture of silence, fake change and incompetent managers, to how we educate our children. The film is laced with humour and irony, but without losing sight of the very real consequences the toxic workplace has for the health and happiness of the people who work there. "

" Guiding us on this journey are, among others, the late great anthropologist and activist David Graeber (Debt: The First 500 years, Bullshit Jobs) and the Berkeley-based pioneer of burnout research, psychologist Christina Maslach. " (official synopsis)

AA: Its sunny title notwithstanding, The Happy Worker is a critical documentary exposé about the deterioration of working life in contemporary society. John Webster's has created an upbeat film on a devastating subject. The film is substance-driven, briskly edited and packed with illuminating resumes. Webster states his case sharply but without exaggeration and populism.

Alienated labour has been discussed at least since the young Marx (Economic and Philosophic Manuscripts of 1844). In Finland for instance Juha Siltala has written an epic survey called Työelämän huonontumisen lyhyt historia : muutokset hyvinvointivaltion ajasta globaaliin hyperkilpailuun ([A Brief History of the Deterioration of Working Life : Changes from the Era of the Welfare State to Global Hyper Competition], 2004).

John Webster has been inspired especially by the case of Nokia: how an exceptional team spirit was destroyed by bad management, a subject also discussed in other high profile films such as Arto Koskinen's excellent Nokia Mobile (2018).

The subject is topical globally. We all know people whose capacity is ignored or diminished in their work. It is not even a question of fair pay. Belittling commitment and wasting talent can be soul-destroying.

Reportedly Sigmund Freud was once asked what a normal person should accomplish well, and his answer was: "to love and to work". Though apocryphal, it is a good maxim that also appears in Leo Tolstoy's correspondence. G. W. F. Hegel thought that work is the essential means for an individual to participate in society. We are discussing our very being.

Personally, I'm currently happy with the best teams I have ever worked with. I have increasingly realized that nothing is more important than a good team spirit. "A happy ship is an efficient ship", as Captain Kinross (Noël Coward) stated in In Which We Serve (1942). No matter how great the adversity (such as the current crisis in world cinema), with a good esprit de corps it can be a joy to meet.

John Webster, a distinguished veteran in documentary film, has been creating exceptional work recently. Eye to Eye (2020) was about families meeting murderers of their children. Donner – privat (2021) was based on the last, frank interview of the great Jörn Donner.

The human dimension is central also in Webster's new film, focusing on the ordeals of committed workers who have experienced bad management and burnout. It should be ideal viewing for workplaces who want to discuss, improve and change.

BEYOND THE JUMP BREAK: A WORD FROM THE DIRECTOR (IN FINNISH):