Saturday, March 12, 2005

Suomi-Filmin Uutiskuvia 5/1939


Suomi-Filmin Uutiskuvia 5/1939. F. E. Sillanpää, Nobel Laureate. He shows 11 translations of Silja, including in Hebrew. My screenshot. See the newsreel on Elonet.

Suomi-Film Newsreel 5/1939. FI 1939. Narrator: Turo Kartto. 2'. Betacam, alas. Viewed at Kino-Palatsi, Tampere Film Festival, 11 March 2005. Nobel Prize for F. E. Sillanpää.

See my next blog note on Suomi-Filmin Uutiskuvia 5/39 on 25 May 2005.

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DATA FROM ELONET:

Sisältöseloste

Pioneerit rakentavat siltaa. Tutustuminen Punaisen Ristin ensiapuasemaan, siteitä, lastoja ja leikkausvälineitä esitellään. Kaasumyrkytyspotilaitten hoito-osasto. Kirjailija F. E. Sillanpää kotona työnsä ääressä. Sillanpään teoksista "Silja" eri kielillä. Lotat keittävät kenttäkeittiöillä. Partiopojat perehtyvät kartanlukuun. Partiopoikien kaasunaamarin käyttöharjoitus. Partiopoikien ensiapukurssi. Partiopoikien ampumaopetus ja kartanlukua. Kirsti Suonion hautajaiset 10.10.1939. Illanvietto sotilaskodissa; laulua, soittoa ja kahvinjuontia, mm. Harry Bergström (piano).

Aiheet
pioneerit 
sillat 
sillanrakennus 
ensiapu 
Suomen Punainen Risti 
myrkytykset 
kirjailijat 
Sillanpää, Frans Eemil (1888-1964) 
maanpuolustusjärjestöt 
Lotta Svärd 
lotat 
nuorisojärjestöt 
partio 
hautajaiset 
Suonio, Kirsti 
sotilaskodit 

VET 1298
11.11.1939

ARKISTON AARTEET 2005: 2: KIRJALLINEN TAMPERE


Edvin Laine: Musta rakkaus / Dark Love (FI 1957). Jussi Jurkka (Pauli Haantie) on the Satakunnansilta Bridge crossing the Tammerkoski rapids. Background: the main factory building, complete with a blast furnace, of Tampella, a heavy industry manufacturer. The movie is based on Väinö Linna's second novel, published in 1948.

Treasures from the Archive 2005: 2: Literary Tampere. Kino-Palatsi, Tampere Film Festival 11 March 2005. 18 shorts compiled by Lauri Tykkyläinen and Raimo Silius. One of the best ever shows in this long series.

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SUOMEN ELOKUVA-ARKISTO
finlands filmarkiv
2005 PROGRAM NOTE BY RAIMO SILIUS AND LAURI TYKKYLÄINEN
Arkiston aarteita 2005 I: Kirjallinen Tampere

Suomi-Filmin uutiskuvia 5/1939 
10.11.1939 Nobel Sillanpäälle
Suomi 1939. Tuotantoyhtiö: Suomi-Filmi Oy. Kertoja: Turo Kartto. VET: A-1298 (11.11.1939). 2 min. Betacam.
Katkelma Suomi-Filmin Uutiskuvista 11.11.1939, päivä suuren uutisen jälkeen. Sillanpäälle kirjallisuuden Nobelin palkinto. Eläköön Suomi ja Frans Emil Sillanpää!

F. E. Sillanpää
Suomi 1953. Tuottaja: Kalevi Lavola. Ohjaus ja käsikirjoitus: Kalevi Lavola. Kertoja: F. E. Sillanpää. VET: A-4726 205 m / 8 min.
F. E. Sillanpää (1888–1964) kesällä 1953 Helsingin Herttoniemessä 65-vuotiaana lasten ”joulu-pukkina”. Kalevi Lavolan mainio kulttuurihistoriallinen lyhytelokuva, joka elävöittää ”Taatan” oma kertojan ääni. Sillanpää kertoo suhteestaan ”enkelten suojatteihin” lapsiin, railakkaaseen äite Miinaan, omaan Siikriinsä sekä omaan taloon, Hämeenkyrön ”Saavutukseen”. Elokuva valmistui samana syksynä, jolloin ilmestyi Sillanpään muistelmateos ”Poika eli elämäänsä”.

Tuntemattoman sotilaan tekijä: Väinö Linna
Han som skrev Okänd soldat / Väinö Linna, The Author of the "Unknown Soldier"
Suomi 1955. Tuotantoyhtiö: Suomen Filmiteollisuus Oy. Käsikirjoitus: Nils-Börje Stormbom. Kuvaus: Pentti Valkeala, Olavi Tuomi. Selostus: Carl-Erki Creutz. Helsingin ensiesitys: x – VET: A-5864 280 m / 10 min.
Pentti Valkealan (s. 1928) ja Olavi Tuomen (s. 1932) kuvaama persoonallinen lyhytelokuva Väinö Linnasta (1920–1992) ihmisenä ja kirjailijana kesällä 1955, jolloin suuri kirjallinen läpimurto oli selvä. Linnan Tuntematonta sotilasta myytiin puolessa vuodessa huikeat 175 000 kappaletta. Tämä lyhytelokuva valmistui kolme vuotta ennen Edvin Laineen (1905–1989) Tuntemattoman sotilaan elokuvaversiota ja pyöri elokuvateattereissa sen eräänlaisena ”ennakkomainoksena”.

SF-Katsaus 3/55
Kun Tuntematon tuli
Suomi 1955. Tuotantoyhtiö: Suomen Filmiteollisuus. Ohjaus: x Käsikirjoitus: x Kuvaus: x . VET: A-6056 220 m / 8 min.
Edvin Laineen ohjaaman ”Tuntemattoman sotilaan” (1955) ensimmäinen kutsuvierasnäytäntö Jalkaväkirykmentti 8:n sotilaille 1955 elokuvateatteri Rexissä Helsingissä. Kolme päivää myöhemmin oli Rexissä ”Tuntemattoman sotilaan” juhlanäytös Sotainvalidien veljesliiton hyväksi. Näytöksessä oli valtion johtoa ja elokuvan tekijöitä sankoin joukoin. Tuntemattoman sotilaan virallinen ensi-ilta oli 23.12.1955 kuudessa kaupungissa.

SF-Katsaus 16
[Tuntematon lähtee Cannesiin]
Suomi 1956. Tuotantoyhtiö: Suomen Filmiteollisuus. Ohjaus: x Käsikirjoitus: x Kuvaus: x. VET: A-6314. 1 min. Betacam.
T. J. Särkkä, Edvin Laine ja Olavi Linnus lähtevät toukokuussa 1956 Seutulan lentokentältä Cannesin elokuvafestivaalille, missä ”Tuntematon sotilas” pitäisi esittää.

SF-Katsaus 17
Tuntematonta ei esitetä Cannesissa
Suomi 1956. Tuotantoyhtiö: Suomen Filmiteollisuus. Ohjaus: x Käsikirjoitus: x Kuvaus: x . VET: 1 min. Betacam.
SF:n elokuvavaltuuskunta saapuu Cannesin elokuvajuhlilta Seutulaan. Oitis pidetään tuloyön leh-distötilaisuus SF:n koeteatterissa aiheesta, miksi ”Tuntematonta sotilasta” ei Cannesissa esitetty. Katkelma ei kerro katsojille syytä. Syynä lienee ollut Neuvostoliiton painostus Cannesin festivaa-lijohtoa kohtaan.

SF-Katsaus 19
Tuntematon Berliinissä
Suomi 1956. Tuotantoyhtiö: Suomen Filmiteollisuus. Ohjaus: x Käsikirjoitus: x Kuvaus: x. VET: A- 6425. 4 min. Betacam.
Tuntematon sotilas heinäkuussa 1956 Berliinin elokuvafestivaalilla, missä se esitettiin menes-tyksekkäästi, ja se sai kansainvälisen katolisen filmitoimiston palkinnon.

SF-Katsaus 22
Tuntematon Jussitetaan
Suomi 1956. Tuotantoyhtiö: Suomen Filmiteollisuus. VET: A-6631, esitetään osa 2 min. Betacam.
Jussi-palkintojen jakotilaisuus 1956 Intimi-teatterin tiloissa Insinööritalossa Helsingissä. Tuntematon sotilas sai kuusi Jussi-patsasta.

Lii-Filmin Katsaus 392 
Tuntematon Pyynikillä
Suomi 1961. Tuotantoyhtiö: Lii-Filmi Oy. Ohjaus: Jaakko Kuusisto. Käsikirjoitus: Aarne Laurila. Kuvaus: Unto Kumpulainen. VET: A-11385. 2 min. Betacam.
Edvin Laineen ohjaama Tuntematon sotilas kantaesitettiin 1961 Pyynikin kesäteatterissa, jossa se pyöri peräti yhdeksän kesää ja katsojia oli yhteensä noin 350 000. Katkelmassa yleisö jonottaa pääsylippuja ja sitten katsomo pyörii paloaukealta dramaattiseen loppuun Koskelan miinaan astumiseen rauhan ensiminuuteilla.

Taata muistelee
Suomi 1962. Tuotantoyhtiö: Lii-Filmi Oy. Ohjaus: Jaakko Kuusisto. Käsikirjoitus: Aarne Laurila. Kuvaus: Unto Kumpulainen. VET: A-13269 / 265 m  / 10 min. Betacam.
Ainoa suomalainen Nobelin kirjallisuudenpalkinnon saaja (1939), Hämeenkyrön ”Taata” Frans Emil Sillanpää (1888–1964) kävi koulunsa Tampereella. Jaakko Kuusiston lyhytelokuvassa F. E. Sillanpää muistelee juuri noita nuoruusvuosiaan Tampereella. Varsinaisesti ”Taatan” elämä ja teokset sijoittuivat Hämeenkyröön, jonka luonnonkauniit maisemat on ikuistettu myös tämän elokuvan jälkipuoliskoon.

Finlandia-katsaus 684
[Sillanpään hautajaiset]
Suomi 1964. Tuotantoyhtiö: Suomi-Filmi Oy. Käsikirjoitus: Jaakko Talaskivi. Kuvaus: Väinö Kolhonen, Martti Saarikivi.  Kuvausassistentti: Jaakko Talaskivi. Selostus: Lauri Kuosmanen. Leikkaus: Jaakko Talaskivi. VET: A-17524. 4 min. Betacam.
Finlandia-katsauksen 684 katkelma 12.6.1964. F. E. Sillanpää kuoli 3.6.1964. Siunaustilaisuus Helsingin Tuomiokirkossa isänmaan kustannuksella. Siunauksen suorittaa Tampereen piispa Eelis Gulin. Sitten seuraa uutiskatsauskierrätystä: palataan Sillanpään 60-vuotispäiville syyskuuhun 1948.

Yrjö Jylhä
Suomi 1961. Tuotantoyhtiö: Lii-Filmi Oy. Ohjaus: Jaakko Kuusisto. Käsikirjoitus: Jaakko Kuusisto. Kuvaus: Unto Kumpulainen. VET: A-11895. 12 min. Betacam.
”Himoitsen olla enemmän kuin olen.” Runoilija ja kääntäjä Yrjö Jylhä (1903–1956) on yksi lukuisista tunnetuista tamperelaiskirjailijoista. Tulenkantajien tuima eetikko kykeni vaikuttavasti siirtämään runon kielelle talvisodan järkyttävät kokemukset pääteoksessaan ”Kiirastuli” (1941). Jaakko Kuusiston lyhytelokuva keskittyy Jylhän kahden runon kuvitukseen. Runot lausuu tamperelainen näyttelijä Veikko Sinisalo (1926–2003), Jylhän runojen väkevä tulkki.

Lauri Viita – rakentaja
Suomi 1962. Tuotantoyhtiö: Lii-Filmi Oy. Ohjaus: Jaakko Kuusisto. Käsikirjoitus: Lauri Viita. Kuvaus: Unto Kumpulainen. VET: A-13270. 8 min. Betacam.
”Eteenpäin Pyhäjärvi veti ja Näsijärvi työnsi ja välissä oli Tampere ja Tammerkoski.” Lauri Viita (1916–1965), Pispalan alkuvoimainen runoilijanero ja Pispalan rakentamisen historian kuvaaja liittyy oleellisesti Tampereeseen ja sen kehittymiseen teollisuuskaupungiksi. Jaakko Kuusiston elokuva taltioi 1960-luvun alun Pispalan elämää syysruskassa, ja runoilijamestarin ääni lausuu tuttuja Alfhildin säkeitä: ”Äidit vain, nuo toivossa väkevät, Jumalan näkevät.”

Musta rakkaus traileri
Suomi 1957. Tuotantoyhtiö: Suomen Filmiteollisuus Oy. Ohjaus: Edvin Laine. VET: 3 min. Betacam.

Klaani – tarina Sammakoiden suvusta traileri
Suomi 1984. Tuotantoyhtiö: Villealfa Filmproductions Oy. Ohjaus: Mika Kaurismäki. VET: A- 25094 – K-12 – 3 min. Betacam.

Jäähyväiset presidentille traileri
Suomi 1987. Tuotantoyhtiö: Skandia-Filmi Oy. Ohjaus: Matti Kassila. VET: A-25802. 2 min. Betacam.

Ihmiselon ihanuus ja kurjuus traileri
Suomi 1988. Tuotantoyhtiö: Neo-Filmi Oy. Ohjaus: Matti Kassila. VET: A-23629. 3 min. Betacam.

Väinö Linna lähikuvassa
Suomi 1962. Tuotantoyhtiö: Lii-Filmi Oy. Tuottaja: Pertti Himberg. Ohjaus: x Käsikirjoitus: x Kuvaus: x. VET: A-13268. 11 min. Betacam.
”Niin, jokainen kirja syntyy omalla tavallaan…” Jaakko Kuusiston lyhytelokuvassa Väinö Linnan (1920–1992) tie kartanon päiväläispojasta kansalliskirjailijaksi on vaiheessa, jolloin Täällä Pohjantähden alla -trilogian kolmas osa on valmistumassa. Elokuva esittelee nimensä mukaisesti Linnaa hyvin läheltä. Niin Linnan perhe kuin arkiset askareet Hämeenkyrön Myllykylän maatilalla tulevat katsojille tutuiksi. Linna kirjoitti trilogian Käkisaari-nimisellä tilallaan liki kokonaisuudessaan.

Tekstit: Raimo Silius ja Lauri Tykkyläinen, 2005

Herra Elanto (1995 Finnish Film Archive restoration)


Erkki Karu: Herra Elanto / Mr. Elanto (FI 1930). Tyyne Marttinen and Heikki Välisalmi (Jack Coski / Jaakko Koski).

Mr. Elanto. FI 1930. PC: Suomi-Filmi. SC: Heikki Välisalmi, Erkki Karu. Starring Heikki Välisalmi in the fictional story. Featuring Väinö Tanner etc. in the documentary footage. 55'. Industrial feature; fictional story linking documentary footage. Tinted and toned, restored by Suomen elokuva-arkisto 1995. Silent, live pianist Joonas Raninen (jazz age music). The nouveau riche Jack Koski / Jaakko Koski returns from America to Finland and wants to buy Elanto. He loses his capital in the stock market crash and marries a sweet Elanto lady, instead. Visit tours, dream sequences, flashback histories compress information, but there are boring stretches. The documentary value is great.

Elannon kotioloja


Elannon kotioloja (FI 1932). The famous Elanto Bakery. My screenshot from Elonet Plus.

At Home at Elanto. FI 1932. PC: Suomi-Filmi. 17'. Industrial documentary. Betacam, alas. Silent, live pianist: Joonas Raninen. Viewed at Kinopalatsi, Tampere Film Festival, 11 March 2005. A full scale introduction to the manifold activities of the Helsinki Cooperative Society Elanto, starting with the bakeries and ending with the cultural programmes.

Ravintolayleisöä kameran silmän lävitse


Written by Ragnar Hartwall, Teuvo Tulio, Valentin Vaala: Ravintolayleisöä kameran silmän lävitse (FI 1930). Teuvo Tulio helps a lady remove her Nokia rubber galosh. My screenshot from: / view movie at: Elonet: Ravintolayleisöä kameran silmän lävitse.

Ravintolayleisö kameran silmällä [opening credit title] / Restaurangpubliken genom kameraögat / [Restaurant Customers Caught by the Camera Eye]. FI 1930. PC: Ab Mainos Oy. SC: Ragnar Hartwall, Teuvo Tulio, Valentin Vaala. Featuring Hanna Taini, Josef Liebkind, Teuvo Tulio. 5'. Silent, live pianist: Joonas Raninen (jazz age music). Viewed at Kinopalatsi, Tampere Film Festival, 11 March 2005. A commercial that was produced to be screened with Laveata tietä (The Broad Way): furs by Hilbert Lähteinen, rubber boots by Nokia, butter by Kultanauha, coffee by Stadion-Kahvi, cream by Kultareuna, cigarettes by Pikku Fennia, beer by Lahden Erikois-Olut, the musicians' stage by Jerry Soittolava.

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Elonet synopsis:

"Alkuteksti. Teuvo Tulio, "Suomen Valentino", saapuu ravintolaan kaksi daamia käsipuolessaan, naisilla yllään turkkuri Hilbert Lähteisen valmistamat turkit. Turkkeja ylistävä runomittainen mainosteksti. Tulio riisuu Nokian kalossin naisen kenkien päältä. Runomittainen mainosteksti. Tanssia ja ruokailua ravintolassa. Kultanauha-margariinin mainosteksti ja kuva margariinipaketista. Nainen levittää margariinia leivän päälle. Ravintolaorkesteri soittaa (viulussa Vili Vesterinen? - oli opiskellut Viipurissa sekä pianon että sellon soittoa). Tanssija esittää ripaska-esityksen. Yleisöä. "Harold Lloydin kaksoisolento" istuutuu naisten seuraa ja tarjoaa savukkeita. Kahvia kaadetaan kuppeihin. Stadion-kahvin runomittainen mainosteksti. Kultareuna-kerman mainosteksti, kuva Kultareuna-kermapullosta. Kermaa lisätään kahviin. Tanssivaa yleisöä. "Hovimestari" ottaa vastaan tilauksia, pöytäseurue tupakoi. Tanssiva yleisöä. Pikku-Fennia -savukkeita ylistäen mainostava teksti. Kuva tupakkarasiasta. Nainen tupakoi. Tanssia. Kuva Lahden erikoisolut -pullosta. Olutta kaadetaan laseihin ja nautitaan. Can-can -esitys orkesterin säestyksellä."

ARKISTON AARTEET 2005: 1: OSUUSLIIKE ELANTO 100 VUOTTA / Treasures from the Archive 2005: 1: Helsinki Cooperative Society Elanto 100 Years (curated by Lauri Tykkyläinen and Raimo Silius)


Erkki Karu: Herra Elanto / Mr. Elanto (FI 1930). In person: Väinö Tanner (1881-1966), CEO of Cooperative Society Elanto since 1915. My screenshot from / view movie at: Elonet..

Erkki Karu: Herra Elanto / Mr. Elanto (FI 1930). The legendary Elanto bakery. My screenshot from / view movie at: Elonet.

Kino-Palatsi, Tampere Film Festival, 11 March 2005. Curated by Lauri Tykkyläinen and Raimo Silius. Three silents, pianist: Joonas Raninen. For the 22. time, Treasures from the Archive were screened at the Festival, and 751 films have been covered so far.

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SUOMEN ELOKUVA-ARKISTO
FINLANDS FILMARKIV
PROGRAM NOTE AT ORION, 15 JUNE 2005

Arkiston aarteita 2005: III. Osuusliike Elanto 100 vuotta
Skatter ur arkivet III: Andelsaffären Elanto 100 år

Ravintolayleisöä kameran silmällä
Suomi 1930. Tuotantoyhtiö: Ab Mainos Oy. Käsikirjoitus: Ragnar Hartwall, Teuvo Tulio, Valentin Vaala. Kesto: 6 min 
Varhaisen suomalaisen mainoselokuvan pioneeritöitä. Se tehtiin yhteistyössä usean liikeyrityksen kanssa, ja sitä esitettiin Valentin Vaalan ohjaaman kokoillan elokuvan ”Laveata tietä” yhteydessä, jolle mainoksen oli tarkoitus hankkia lisärahoitusta. Kehystarinana on ilta ravintolassa, mukana Hanna Taini, Harold Lloydin kaksoisolento Josef Liebkind ja Suomen Valentino Teuvo Tulio. Runomuotoiset välitekstit kertovat, minkä merkkisestä tuotteesta kulloinkin on kyse.

Elannon kotioloja
Suomi 1932. Tuotantoyhtiö: Suomi-Filmi Oy. 17 min. Betacam.
Dokumenttimateriaalista koostettu Elannon kotioloja esittelee Osuusliike Elannon toimintaa kuten hattuliikettä ja ravintolaa. Sitten käydään Elannon tehtailla, joissa kuvataan leipomoa, makkaran valmistusta, meijeriä ja pullottamoa. Backaksen maatilalla seurataan heinänkorjuuta ja kyntöä. Elokuva esittelee myös Elannon henkilökunnan elämää ja vapaa-ajanviettoa Sompasaaressa, ja se päättyy ohjelmalliseen illanviettoon. Elokuvan filmimateriaali on osittain samaa kuin Herra Elannossa.

Herra Elanto
Suomi 1930. Tuotantoyhtiö: Suomi-Filmi Oy. Käsikirjoitus: Heikki Välisalmi, Erkki Karu, K. N. Rauhala. VET: 16575 , 1500 m / 55 min, 35 mm, b&w  
Osuusliike Elannon tilaama ja Suomi-Filmin valmistama vajaan tunnin fiktiivinen mykkäelokuva, johon on sijoitettu tietoja Elannon toimintaperiaatteista. Tarinan päähenkilö on amerikansuomalainen Jack Koski eli Jaakko Koski, joka palaa rikkaana miehenä takaisin Helsinkiin Kallion kotimaisemiin. Käsikirjoituksen toinen tekijä Heikki Välisalmi (1886–1947) esittää pääosaa Mr. Koskea. Tarinaelokuva on notkea kuin Elannon taikina ja maukas kuin Elannon pullapitko noina Amerikan pörssiromahduksen aikoina. Elokuva ensiesitettiin 15. 10. 1930 Elannon 25-vuotisjuhlan pääohjelmanumerona 2000 kutsuvieraan läsnäollessa Kaartin maneesilla Helsingissä.
   Elokuvalehden (16/1930) arvio oli, että "juonen puitteissa on taitavasti esitelty Elannon liiketoiminnan monipuoliset alat, henkilökunnan harrastukset ja virkistyskodit, oikeastaan koko mahtava, monipuolinen Elanto katsojan lainkaan huomaamatta, että hänelle on nämä haluttu esittää. Katsoja on seurannut mr. Jack Cosken elämän vaiheita ja samalla tutustunut Osuusliike Elantoon".
   Jo aiemmin samassa artikkelissa lehti pohti mainosfilmin määritelmää: "Reklaamikuvissahan on totuttu näkemään joku taloudellinen yritys, tehdas tai muu, joka yksityiskohtaisesti esitetään katsojalle tarkoituksessa saattaa tämä vakuutetuksi esitettävän tehtaan tuotteiden ensiluokkaisuudesta. Katsojasta, jolle täten tyrkytetään vissiä käsitystä, tuntuu reklaamikuva aina ikävältä, mikäli esitettävä asia ei hänelle ole niin uusi, että sen uutuus häntä jonkun verran kiinnostaa. Näin ei ole laita Elannon reklaamikuvan, 'Herran Elannon'. Siinä ei tyrkytetä mitään, ei saarnata eikä mainosteta, vilautellaan vaan silmien editse Elannon suurenmoinen monipuolisuus ja vaikutetaan sillä monin verroin vakuuttavammin kuin saarnoilla ja selittelyillä."
    Elanto rakennutti Suomi-Filmin konemestarin paikalta sähkö- ja elokuvakoneyrittäjäksi siirtyneellä Rafael Weckströmillä liikuteltavan konehuoneen, joka täytti tiukimmatkin filmiteknillisen lautakunnan tarkastusmääräykset. Kaartin maneesin juhlaesityksen jälkeen sitä voitiin käyttää maaseudun esityksiin. Elannon 40 000 jäsenestä suuri osa asui Helsinkiä ympäröivällä maaseudulla. (Elokuva 17 /1930)
   
– Ohjelman koonneet ja tekstit Lauri Tykkyläinen ja Raimo Silius 2005;  tekstiä täydentänyt Jari Sedergren 15.6.2005

Friday, March 11, 2005

Bredband / Broadband


Ulf Hansson: Bredband / Broadband (SE 2004).

Laajakaista. SE 2004. PC: Svenska Filminstitutet. D: Ulf Hansson. 28'. Fiction. Video. English subtitles, e-subtitles in Finnish. Viewed at Plevna 2, Tampere Film Festival 11 March 2005. The man living in a small town buries his dog. Then he hears that the factory where he's working is closing down, and as a compensation everybody gets a personal computer with broadband access. I saw the first 10 minutes only.

Bieda-ziemia / Poor-Land


Filip Marczewski: Bieda-ziemia / Poor-Land (PL 2004).

Köyhä maa. PL 2004. PC: Polish National Film School Lodz. D: Filip Marczewski. 5'. 35 mm. Documentary. E-subtitles in Finnish. Viewed at Plevna 2, Tampere Film Festival, 11 March 2005. Grim view on the illegal coalmines of Walbryzh where many miners die every year.

La cola del pez / The Fish's Tail

Kalan pyrstö. CU / DE 2003. PC: Academy of Media Arts Cologne. D: Mechthild Barth. 14'. Fiction. DVD. E-subtitles in Finnish. Viewed at Plevna 2, Tampere Film Festival, 11 March 2005. Brother Fran wants out of Cuba, sister Lola wants him to stay. At home, in the party, at the pool. Foreign women are the key to escape. Lola vomits.

Vinil Verde / Green Vinyl


Kleber Mendonça Filho: Vinil Verde / Green Vinyl (BR 2004).

Vihreä vinyyli. BR 2004. PC: Cinemascopio. D: Kleber Mendonça Filho. Based on a Russian skazka. 16'. 35 mm. E-subtitles in Finnish and English. Viewed at Tampere Film Festival, 11 March 2005. A horrific fairy-tale about a young girl who defies her mother's prohibition to play the green vinyl record and to wear the green gloves.

Nuisible

Harmful / Paholainen. FR 2003. PC: Tout Revoir. D: Antoine Moreau. 8'. Fiction. Betacam. English subtitles, e-subtitles in Finnish. Viewed at Plevna 2, Tampere Film Festival, 11 March 2005. The man's lethal trap to the youngster in the form of the wasp in the apple.

Leil giyus / Draft


Naomi Levari: / ליל גיוס / Leil giyus / Draft (IL 2004). Avi Pnini as Yoav Genar.

/ ליל גיוס / [Recruitment Night] / Kutsunnat. IL 2004. PC: Sam Spiegel Film & TV School. D: Naomi Levari. 16 mm. Fiction. In Hebrew, English subtitles, e-subtitles in Finnish. Viewed at Plevna 2, Tampere Film Festival, 11 March 2005. The pacifist father's deep disappointment at his son, who enlists in the army.

Pit-Bull-Shit

DE 2004. D: Jochen Ehmann. 1'. Animation. Betacam. E-subtitles in Finnish and English. Viewed at Plevna 2, Tampere Film Festival 11 March 2005. The swastika out of pit bull shit.

INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION 6, TAMPERE FILM FESTIVAL 2005

Plevna 11 March 2005. 3 films, 4 videos.

Thursday, March 10, 2005

Film concert Bronenosets Potyomkin / Battleship Potemkin (2005 Cleaning Women / Tampere Film Festival)


Sergei Eisenstein: Броненосец «Потёмкин» / Bronenosets Potyomkin / Battleship Potemkin (SU 1925). Poster design: Vladimir Stenberg, Georgii Stenberg, 1929. © 2026 Estate of Georgii and Vladimir Stenberg/UPRAVIS, Moscow/VAGA, New York. Photo: MoMA.

Броненосец «Потёмкин» / Battleship Potemkin / Panssarilaiva Potjomkin. SU 1925. PC: Goskino. D: Sergei Eisenstein. DP: Eduard Tisse. M: Edmund Meisel. The 1975 stretch print reconstruction 74 min. Viewed at Pakkahuone, Tampere Film Festival, 10 March 2005. 3000 W lamp too bright, all black missing. THE FILM: still the masterpiece, always revealing new sides. There are three definitive musics: the 1925 Edmund Meisel original, the 1950 original Nikolay Kryukov score, and the 1975 Shostakovich compilation. – THE FILM CONCERT: Cleaning Woman, the three-man band (Risto Puurunen, Timo Kinnunen, Tero Vänttinen), attacks the film vigorously with an electric rhythm score with powerful sound clusters. Say it loud! Yes it works, but I prefer their Aelita score, maybe because there is no towering point of comparison. ****

Tango (Tampere 2005, in person: Zbigniew Rybczynski)


Zbigniew Rybczynski: Tango (PL 1980).

PL © 1980 Film Polski. PC: SMFF Se-Ma-For Lodz. D: Zbigniew Rybczynski. Music: Janusz Hajdun. 8 min. Animation. Betacam, alas. In person: Zbigniew Rybczynski. Viewed at Pakkahuone, Tampere Film Festival, 9 March 2005. A magic scene of a single space with repetitive, cumulating loops of 36 people living their separate lives. Rybczynski's final breakthrough to international fame.

Sceny narciarskie z Franzem Klammerem / Ski Scenes with Franz Klammer (in the presence of Zbigniew Rybczynski)


Zbigniew Rybczynski, Bogdan Dziworski, Gerald Kargl : Sceny narciarskie z Franzem Klammerem / Ski Scenes with Franz Klammer (AT/PL 1980).

AT/PL 1980. PC: WFO Lodz / Signal Film (Wien). D: Zbigniew Rybczynski, Bogdan Dziworski, Gerald Kargl. 21 min. Experimental. Betacam, alas. In the presence of Zbigniew Rybczynski. Viewed at Hällä, Tampere Film Festival, 10 March 2005. 

AA: A humoristic, experimental portrait of the downhill racer. Lumberjack scenes, images of big falls, self-parody on filming the racer, diving.

Media (in the presence of Zbigniew Rybczynski)


Zbigniew Rybczynski: Media (PL 1980).

PL © 1980 Film Polski. PC: SMFF Se-Ma-For Lodz. D: Zbigniew Rybczynski. M: Janusz Hajdun. 2 min. Animation. Betacam, alas. In the presence of Zbigniew Rybczynski. Viewed at Hällä, Tampere Film Festival, 10 March 2005. The man in the monitor plays with a balloon in another monitor until it explodes.

Piatek-Sobota / Friday-Saturday (Tampere 2005, in person: Zbigniew Rybczynski)

Perjantai-lauantai. PL © 1977 Film Polski. PC: SMFF Se-Ma-For Lodz. D: Zbigniew Rybczynski. 3 min. Animation. Betacam, alas. In the presence of Zbigniew Rybczynski. Viewed at Hällä, Tampere Film Festival, 10 March 2005. Gravity overturned. The world upside down. The vision after the big drunken spree.

Lokomotywa / Locomotive (2005 Tampere, in person: Zbigniew Rybczynski)


Zbigniew Rybczynski: Lokomotywa / Locomotive (PL 1976).

Veturi. PL © 1976 Telewiszja Polska. PC: SMFF Se-Ma-For Lodz. D: Zbigniew Rybczynski. 6 min. Children's animation. Betacam, alas. In the presence of Zbigniew Rybczynski. Viewed at Hällä, Tampere Film Festival, 10 March 2005. A children's music video, illustrated song, a charming exercise in naivism.

Wieto

Holiday / Loma. PL (c) 1976 Film Polski. PC: SMFF Se-Ma-For Lodz. D: Zbigniew Rybczynski. M: Janusz Hajdun. 11 min. Animation. Betacam, alas. In the presence of Zbigniew Rybczynski. Viewed at Hällä, Tampere Film Festival, 10 March 2005. Highly abstracted, boldly coloured scenes from the holiday of a family. Charming music.

Oj! Nie moge sie zatrzymac! / Oh, I Can't Stop! (in person: Zbigniew Rybczynski)


Zbigniew Rybczynski: Oj! Nie moge sie zatrzymac! / Oh, I Can't Stop! (PL 1975).

En pysty pysähtymään! PL 1975. PC: SMFF Se-Ma-For Lodz. D: Zbigniew Rybczynski. M: Janusz Hajdun. 10 min. Animation. Betacam, alas. In the presence of Zbigniew Rybczynski. Viewed at Hällä, Tampere Film Festival, 10 March 2005. A study in subjective camera, in acceleration, in fast forward. What am I, this monster who ends up as a big red splash on the wall?

Nowa ksiaka / A New Book (in person: Zbigniew Rybczynski)


Zbigniew Rybczynski: Nowa ksiaka / A New Book (PL 1975). © Zbigniew Rybczyński. 

Uusi kirja. PL 1975. PC: SMFF Se-Ma-For Lodz. D: Zbigniew Rybczynski. M: Janusz Haidun. 11 min. Animation. Betacam, alas. In the presence of Zbigniew Rybczynski. Viewed at Hällä, Tampere Film Festival, 10 March 2005. A bold and ambitious concept: a split screen of nine images covers the same events simultaneously. Music funnily in synch.

Zupa / Soup (in person: Zbigniew Rybczyński)


Zbigniew Rybczyński: Zupa / Soup (PL 1974).

Keitto. PL 1974. PC: SMFF Se-Ma-For Lodz. D: Zbigniew Rybczyński. M: Eugeniusz Rudnik. 9 min. Animation. Betacam, alas. In person: Zbigniew Rybczyński. Viewed at Hällä, Tampere Film Festival, 10 March 2005. A grotesque view about everyday life.

Plamuz


Zbigniew Rybczynski: Plamuz (PL 1973).

Music Art / Musiikkitaide. PL 1973. PC: SMFF Se-Ma-For Lodz. D: Zbigniew Rybczynski. M: Zbigniew Namyslowski. 10 min. Animation. Betacam, alas. In the presence of Zbigniew Rybczynski. Viewed at Hällä, Tampere Film Festival, 10 March 2005. Bold, strong abstraction, flute music.

Bierz pie

Take Five. PL 1972. PWSTiF Lodz. D: Zbigniew Rybczynski. M: "Take Five" (Dave Brubeck). 4 min. Animation. Betacam, alas. In the presence of Zbigniew Rybczynski. Viewed at Hällä, Tampere Film Festival, 10 March 2005. Superimpositions, abstracted, accelerated, slow motion.

Kwadrat / Square


Zbigniew Rybczynski: Kwadrat / Square (PL 1972).

Neliö. PL 1972. PWSTiF Lodz. D: Zbigniew Rybczynski. M: Kazimierz Serocki, Warsztat Muzycny. 4 min. Animation. Betacam, alas. In the presence of Zbigniew Rybczynski. Viewed at Hällä, Tampere Film Festival, 10 March 2005. A memorably original animation, where pixel-like squares morph into human forms.

ZBIGNIEW RYBCZYNSKI 1

Zbigniew Rybczynski's 12 Polish shorts, 1972-1980, viewed at Hällä, Tampere Film Festival 10 March 2005, in the presence of the director, as Betacam screenings, alas.

Wednesday, March 09, 2005

Tampere Film Festival, 9–13 March 2005


Zbigniew Rybczynski: Tango (PL 1980).

TAMPERE FILM FESTIVAL OPENING RECEPTION.
Raatihuone, the Old Town Hall, 9 March 2005.
Meeting old friends and finding new ones: Mr. Zbigniew Rybczynski, the visionary Polish-born movie maker now located in Woodland Hills, CA, and Mr. Paul Howson, head of film at the British Council, London.

TAMPERE FILM FESTIVAL OPENING CEREMONY. Pakkahuone, 9 March 2005.
Presentation of the juries and guests present. Screening of two videos from the Tähdenlentoja / Shooting Stars special series of films by the disabled. Screening of the animated video Kauhistuksen kaupungin vaarallisin tapahtuma (2003) by small children. 79 primaveras (CU 1969) by Santiago Alvarez, 35mm projection suffered from the 3000 W lamp fading all black to grey. Tango (PL 1980) by Zbigniew Rybczynski as Betacam projection, alas. This is where I took a break.

Tuesday, March 08, 2005

Little Man, What Now?


Little Man, What Now? Douglass Montgomery (Hans Pinneberg), Margaret Sullavan (Emma Merceau, Lämmchen). Photo from: Boîte à films / CineAr / Sunrise.

Mikä nyt eteen, Pinneberg? / Hur skall det gå med Pinnebergs? US © 1934 Universal. D: Frank Borzage. Based on the novel Kleiner Mann, was nun? (1932) by Hans Fallada.
    Starring Margaret Sullavan (Emma Merceau or Lämmchen), Douglass Montgomery (Hans Pinneberg), Alan Hale (Holger Jachmann). 98 min.
    A low-definition print.
    Viewed at Orion, Helsinki, 8 March 2005.

This "cronaca di poveri amanti" belongs to the basic love cycle of Borzage (Seventh Heaven, Man's Castle) and also starts his German trilogy (Three Comrades, Mortal Storm), continuing Griffith's sympathetic view in Isn't Life Wonderful. It also belongs to a noble trend in world cinema along with Vidor (The Crowd) and Castellani (Due soldi di speranza). It's post-WWI Germany, with unemployment rampant, politics in turmoil. The love story is beautifully handled, climaxing with the birth of the baby, simply as an image of hope in life. The social angle perhaps lacks in vigour. Starring the wonderful Margaret Sullavan, the rest of the cast is not as deeply engaging. Not quite a masterpiece. ***

Sunday, March 06, 2005

La Captive / The Captive


Chantal Akerman: La Captive / The Captive (FR/BE 2000) starring Stanislas Merhar (Simon) and Sylvie Testud (Ariane).

FR/BE Proust. DP: Sabine Lancelin. M: Ostrov mjortvyh by Rachmaninov. "Ed intanto che diletto, che spassetto io provero" (Così fan tutte, Mozart). Sonata for Arpeggione and Piano in B Minor, D.821 (Schubert). C: Stanislas Merhar (Simon), Sylvie Testud (Ariane), Olivia Bonamy (Andrée), Liliane Rovère (Francoise), Francoise Bertin (grandmother), Aurore Clément (Léa). 118 min. Brilliant print from Gémini Films, English subtitles by Peter L... Viewed at Orion, Helsinki 6 March 2005. A film inspired by Proust, also paying homage to Vertigo, modernized. Focused / restricted to the jealousy of Simon as he suspects that Ariane's stronger feelings are for women. Good actors, fine cinematography, beautiful music, great ennui.

Onnen varjot / Shades of Happiness


Claes Olsson: Onnen varjot / Shades of Happiness (FI 2005) starring Nicke Lignell (Jarkko) and Tiina Lymi (Paula).

I lyckans skuggor.
    FI © 2005 Kinoproduction. P+D: Claes Olsson. SC: Anna-Leena Härkönen. DP: Pertti Mutanen - S16 mm > Digital > 35 mm. Digital Post: Digital Film Finland / Greg Fischer. Excerpts from Livets mirakel by Lennart Nilsson. PD: Minna Santakari. M: Yari.
    Starring Tiina Lymi (Paula), Nicke Lignell (Jarkko), Milka Ahlroth (Helena), Santeri Kinnunen (Mikko), Anna-Leena Härkönen (Titta), Otto Kanerva (Simo), Pirkko Mannola (Jarkko's mother), Satu Silvo (Helena's boss).
    103 min.
    Visually attractive on screen.
    Released by Columbia TriSTar Nordisk, Swedish subtitles by Janne Staffans.
    Viewed at Tennispalatsi 7, Helsinki, 6 March 2005.

Claes Olsson's fifth fictional feature film during his long and distinguished career presents strong characters based on the screenplay by the author-actress Anna-Leena Härkönen: three couples, all facing the question of having children. This is a character-driven film, emotionally engaging. My favourite scene is the mother's birthday party, where the main couple, who have tried in vain to have children, protest out loud about the endless inquiries of the hubby's parents. ***

http://www.kinoproduction.fi/onnenvarjot/

Saturday, March 05, 2005

Meet the Fockers


Jay Roach: Meet the Fockers (US 2004): Blythe Danner (Dina Byrnes), Teri Polo (Pam Byrnes), Robert De Niro (Jack Byrnes), Ben Stiller (Greg Focker), Dustin Hoffman (Bernie Focker), Barbra Streisand (Roz Focker). 

Painajainen perheessä / Familjen är värre. 
    US © 2004 Universal / DreamWorks. 
    D: Jay Roach. SC: James Herzfield, John Hamburg – story: James Herzfield, Marc Hyman – characters: Greg Clienna, Mary Ruth Clarke. DP: John Schwartzman. M: Randy Newman. 
    Starring Robert De Niro (Jack Byrnes), Ben Stiller (Greg Focker), Dustin Hoffman (Bernie Focker), Barbra Streisand (Roz Focker), Blythe Danner (Dina Byrnes), Teri Polo (Pam Byrnes). 
    115 min
    Comedy.
    Released by Buena Vista Finland, Finnish / Swedish subtitles by Timo Porri / Hannele Vahtera. 
    Viewed at KinoPalatsi 6, Helsinki, 5 March 2005. 

Meet the Family (2000) took us to the catastrophe zone of the bride's WASP parental home on Long Island focusing on the control freak father De Niro. This time, the familiar characters get to meet the groom's parents, the ultra-liberal Jewish Hoffman and Streisand in Florida. 

The film has not received praise from the critics, and it has been accused of repeating too much from the first film. I don't agree, and I liked this one more. 

The obligatory crude and gross situations are not what matter so much as the more personal character comedy that is often inspired. Hoffman and Streisand are a really funny addition, and they lift the material to a new level. 

I also like the way that Ben Stiller and Teri Polo rise above the catastrophe to defend their personal life despite their parents. The audience never stopped laughing till the last image of the end-credit epilogue. At least ***

Mar adentro / The Sea Inside


Alejandro Amenábar: Mar adentro / The Sea Inside (ES/FR/IT 2004). Javier Bardem as Ramón Sampedro. Poster design: Toni Galigno.

Meri sisälläni / Gråta med ett leende. ES/FR/IT © 2004 Sogecine and three other companies. CO-P+D+CO-SC+M+ED: Alejandro Amenábar. Based on the true story of Ramón Sampedro. DP: Javier Aguirresarobe. "Nessun dorma" (Puccini: Turandot) sung by José Manuel Zapata; Così fan tutte (Mozart); "Prisoners' Chorus" (Beethoven: Fidelio); Tristan und Isolde (Wagner). "Negra sombra" sung by Luz Casal. Starring Javier Bardem (Ramón Sampedro), Bélen Rueda (Julia), Lola Dueñas (Rosa), Mabel Rivera (Manuela). 125 min. A FS Film release with Finnish / Swedish subtitles by Tarja Härkönen / Marko Hietikko. Viewed at Tennispalatsi 13, Helsinki, 5 March 2005. The film comes highly recommended, and I cannot but agree. It's the best Amenabár I've seen (I have yet to see Abre los ojos). It faces the stark subject head on: Ramón, quadriplegic since 30 years, fights for his right for legal euthanasia. Life is a right, not an obligation, and for Ramón, in his situation, his life is without dignity. Why is he always smiling? Because he is totally helpless. It is a remarkable achievement from the whole film-making team that out of such a subject-matter can grow a celebration of life. Perhaps the last half an hour drags a bit, yet it's a masterpiece. Great performances, great cinematography. **** http://www.mar-adentro.com/ http://www.theseainside.com/

Friday, March 04, 2005

Secrets (1933)


Secrets. Image: Mary Pickford Foundation.

US © 1933 The Pickford Corp. P+D: Frank Borzage. SC: Frances Marion – based on the play by Rudolf Besier and May Edginton (1922). DP: Ray June. PD: Richard Day. COST: Adrian. M: Alfred Newman. "Oh, Susannah" (Stephen Foster).
    Starring Mary Pickford (Mary Carlton), Leslie Howard (John Carlton), Ned Sparks (Sunshine), Mona Maris (Señora Lolita Martinez). 82 min.
    A print of beautiful definition from La Cinémathèque francaise.
    Viewed at Orion, Helsinki, 4 March 2005 (previously unshown in Finland).

The final "secrets" speech by Pickford the eternal girl now as an old lady is the raison d'être of the film. Another high point: Pickford confronts her rival (Mona Maris) and puts the words in her hubby's mouth that even as he was at his most unfaithful "I was always everything"; the eternal story resonates even in the era of Clinton.

A better film than Borzage's first adaptation, 1924, with Norma Talmadge. An epic story covering the years 1865–1932, often with bold montage sequences. I like the way the film feels like a summing-up of Mary Pickford no longer the child but all woman with many aspects. It has the feel of a tribute to Griffith with whom Pickford first blossomed, and also to the high silent era of the late 1920s with forceful use of the close-up and montage. Too hurried and stereotyped to be a masterpiece, yet at least ***

Thursday, March 03, 2005

No Greater Glory



US © 1934 Columbia Pictures. P+D: Frank Borzage. SC: Jo Swerling – based on the novel A Pál-utcai fiúk (1907) by Ferenc Molnár (in Finnish Koulupoikia: Kirja Pál-kadun pojista (1913, Otava; trans. Matti Kivekäs). New trans. Koulupoikia by Outi Hassi. Otava, 2012. DP: Joseph August.
    Starring George Breakston (Nemecsek), Frankie Darro (Feri), Jackie Searl (Gereb), Jimmie Butler (Boka). 74 min.
    A print with beautiful definition from La Cinémathèque francaise.
    Viewed at Orion, Helsinki, 3 March 2005 (first time in Finland after the Filmistudio Projektio screening 25 Feb 1936).

The classic Ferenc Molnár novel on the warfare of two college boy gangs (the Pal Street Gang and the Red Shirts) in Pest is well handled by Borzage. It's still a valid account on boyhood psychology: group mentality, bravery, leadership, sacrifice. Fine sense of the ridiculous and the noble. The explicit anti-war statements are superfluous. The whole movement of the film is pacifist, yet Borzage makes us feel and understand the warrior's psyche. Relevant in understanding Hitler-Jugend, or today's suicide bombers. Excellent performances, fine direction of battling gangs, strong feeling of sorrow and irony as the film ends. ***+

THE CURRENT WAVE OF SUCCESS IN FINNISH CINEMA (2005 debate in Tampere)

A discussion in the series "Six scenes in the media" by Laajakuva ry (organization of the media culture students), Vostok ry (organization of the students of communication studies) and the film society Monroe. The speakers were I and Lasse Saarinen, Chairman of The Central Organisation of Finnish Film Producers. Hosted by Anton Asikainen, with Sanna Kyllönen and Liina Härkönen. At the Old Tampere Library, 2 March 2005. The discussion took place next to the Mäkelä Cabinet, where the 1950s Mäkelä Circle met, with decisive inspiration to Väinö Linna. - During the last ten years Finnish cinema has enjoyed a long wave of success among the audiences. There is a range of young talent available. However, the financing is frugal, and the current situation is threatening: less films are being made, and under more impoverished conditions. The budgets of films in Finland are a half of Sweden's and a third of Denmark's.

Monday, February 28, 2005

The 77th Academy Awards | 2005 (honoring movies released in 2004)


Charlie Kaufman accepts his Academy Award for the Original Screenplay of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center, Sunday, 27 February, 2005. Screenshot © 2005 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

US 2005. ABC transmission from the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood. Hosted by Chris Rock. P: Gilbert Cates. D: Louis B. Horvitz. SC: Hal Kanter, Buz Kohan, Rita Cash. M: Bill Conti.
    On the Red Carpet, ca 2 hrs
    Entering the Kodak Theatre, ca 30 min
    Opening Sequence ("What Is Cinema"), D: Chuck Workman, narrator: Dustin Hoffman
    Johnny Carson Remembered, D: June Beallor
    Special Tribute to Sidney Lumet, D: Michael Shapiro
    Jean Hersholt Award to Roger Mayer, D: Jon Bloom, host: Martin Scorsese
    In Memoriam, D: Jon Bloom, M: Yo-Yo Ma playing Bach live
    The whole transmission ca 5 hrs 45 min, telecast in Finland by Nelonen. EET 28 Feb 2005. I taped it to watch in the evening. 

Wonderful show, great entertainment, musical numbers could have been better, excellent special sequences, but not one of the very best Oscar galas. Johnny Carson was the best Oscar host I have seen, and Billy Crystal has been close. Chris Rock was good. - So now we know that Charlie Kaufman exists. Other sympathetic winners: Jamie Foxx, Mar adentro, The Incredibles, Sideways. ***

ACADEMY AWARDS FOR 2004: WINNERS AND NOMINEES

Academy Awards® for outstanding film achievements of 2004 were presented on Sunday, February 27, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland® and televised live by the ABC Television Network beginning at 5 p.m. PST.

Performance by an actor in a leading role
Don Cheadle in “Hotel Rwanda” (United Artists in association with Lions Gate Entertainment through MGM Distribution Co.)
Johnny Depp in “Finding Neverland” (Miramax)
Leonardo DiCaprio in “The Aviator” (Miramax, Initial Entertainment Group and Warner Bros.)
Clint Eastwood in “Million Dollar Baby” (Warner Bros.)
* Jamie Foxx in “Ray” (Universal)

Performance by an actor in a supporting role
Alan Alda in “The Aviator” (Miramax, Initial Entertainment Group and Warner Bros.)
Thomas Haden Church in “Sideways” (Fox Searchlight/20th Century Fox)
Jamie Foxx in “Collateral” (DreamWorks and Paramount)
* Morgan Freeman in “Million Dollar Baby” (Warner Bros.)
Clive Owen in “Closer” (Sony Pictures Releasing)

Performance by an actress in a leading role
Annette Bening in “Being Julia” (Sony Pictures Classics)
Catalina Sandino Moreno in “Maria Full of Grace” (HBO Films in association with Fine Line Features)
Imelda Staunton in “Vera Drake” (Fine Line Features, Alain Sarde and UK Film Council in association with Inside Track Films)
* Hilary Swank in “Million Dollar Baby” (Warner Bros.)
Kate Winslet in “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” (Focus Features)

Performance by an actress in a supporting role
* Cate Blanchett in “The Aviator” (Miramax, Initial Entertainment Group and Warner Bros.)
Laura Linney in “Kinsey” (Fox Searchlight/20th Century Fox)
Virginia Madsen in “Sideways” (Fox Searchlight/20th Century Fox)
Sophie Okonedo in “Hotel Rwanda” (United Artists in association with Lions Gate Entertainment through MGM Distribution Co.)
Natalie Portman in “Closer” (Sony Pictures Releasing)

Best animated feature film of the year
* “The Incredibles” (Buena Vista) Brad Bird
“Shark Tale” (DreamWorks) Bill Damaschke
“Shrek 2” (DreamWorks) Andrew Adamson

Achievement in art direction
* “The Aviator” (Miramax, Initial Entertainment Group and Warner Bros.)
Art Direction: Dante Ferretti
Set Decoration: Francesca Lo Schiavo
“Finding Neverland” (Miramax)
Art Direction: Gemma Jackson
Set Decoration: Trisha Edwards
“Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events” (Paramount and DreamWorks)
Art Direction: Rick Heinrichs
Set Decoration: Cheryl Carasik
“The Phantom of the Opera” (Warner Bros.)
Art Direction: Anthony Pratt
Set Decoration: Celia Bobak
“A Very Long Engagement” (Warner Independent Pictures)
Art Direction: Aline Bonetto

Achievement in cinematography
* “The Aviator” (Miramax, Initial Entertainment Group and Warner Bros.)
Robert Richardson
“House of Flying Daggers” (Sony Pictures Classics)
Zhao Xiaoding
“The Passion of the Christ” (Icon and Newmarket )
Caleb Deschanel
“The Phantom of the Opera” (Warner Bros.)
John Mathieson
“A Very Long Engagement” (Warner Independent Pictures)
Bruno Delbonnel

Achievement in costume design
* “The Aviator” (Miramax, Initial Entertainment Group and Warner Bros.)
Sandy Powell
“Finding Neverland” (Miramax)
Alexandra Byrne
“Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events” (Paramount and DreamWorks)
Colleen Atwood
“Ray” (Universal)
Sharen Davis
“Troy” (Warner Bros.)
Bob Ringwood

Achievement in directing
“The Aviator” (Miramax, Initial Entertainment Group and Warner Bros.)
Martin Scorsese
* “Million Dollar Baby” (Warner Bros.) Clint Eastwood
“Ray” (Universal) Taylor Hackford
“Sideways” (Fox Searchlight/20th Century Fox) Alexander Payne
“Vera Drake” (Fine Line Features, Alain Sarde and UK Film Council in association with Inside Track Films) Mike Leigh

Best documentary feature
* “Born into Brothels” (THINKFilm)
A Red Light Films, Inc. Production
Ross Kauffman and Zana Briski
“The Story of the Weeping Camel” (THINKFilm)
A Hochschule für Fernsehen und Film München Production
Luigi Falorni and Byambasuren Davaa
“Super Size Me” (Roadside Attractions/Samuel Goldwyn Films)
A Kathbur Productions/The Con Production
Morgan Spurlock
“Tupac: Resurrection” (Paramount)
An MTV - Amaru Entertainment, Inc. Production
Lauren Lazin and Karolyn Ali
“Twist of Faith”
A Chain Camera Pictures Production
Kirby Dick and Eddie Schmidt

Best documentary short subject
“Autism Is a World”
A State of the Art Production
Gerardine Wurzburg
“The Children of Leningradsky”
A Hanna Polak Production
Hanna Polak and Andrzej Celinski
“Hardwood”
A Hardwood Pictures and National Film Board of Canada Production
Hubert Davis and Erin Faith Young
* “Mighty Times: The Children’s March”
A Tell the Truth Pictures Production
Robert Hudson and Bobby Houston
“Sister Rose’s Passion”
A New Jersey Studios Production
Oren Jacoby and Steve Kalafer

Achievement in film editing
* “The Aviator” (Miramax, Initial Entertainment Group and Warner Bros.)
Thelma Schoonmaker
“Collateral” (DreamWorks and Paramount )
Jim Miller and Paul Rubell
“Finding Neverland” (Miramax)
Matt Chesse
“Million Dollar Baby” (Warner Bros.)
Joel Cox
“Ray” (Universal)
Paul Hirsch

Best foreign language film of the year
“As It Is in Heaven”
A GF Studios Production
Sweden
“The Chorus (Les Choristes)”
A Galatée Films/Pathé Renn/France 2 Cinema/Novo Arturo Films/Vega Film AG Production
France
“Downfall”
A Constantin Film Production
Germany
* “The Sea Inside”
A Sogecine and Himenóptero Production
Spain
“Yesterday”
A Videovision Entertainment Production
South Africa

Achievement in makeup
* “Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events”
(Paramount and DreamWorks)
Valli O’Reilly and Bill Corso
“The Passion of the Christ”
(Icon and Newmarket )
Keith Vanderlaan and Christien Tinsley
“The Sea Inside”
(Fine Line Features and Sogepaq)
Jo Allen and Manuel García

Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original score)
* “Finding Neverland” (Miramax) Jan A.P. Kaczmarek
“Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” (Warner Bros.) John Williams
“Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events” (Paramount and DreamWorks) Thomas Newman
“The Passion of the Christ” (Icon and Newmarket ) John Debney
“The Village” ( Buena Vista ) James Newton Howard

Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original song)
“Accidentally In Love” from “Shrek 2” (DreamWorks)
Music by Adam Duritz, Charles Gillingham, Jim Bogios, David Immergluck, Matthew Malley and David Bryson
Lyric by Adam Duritz and Daniel Vickrey
* “Al Otro Lado Del Río” from “The Motorcycle Diaries” (Focus Features and Film Four)
Music and Lyric by Jorge Drexler
“Believe” from “The Polar Express” (Warner Bros.)
Music and Lyric by Glen Ballard and Alan Silvestri
“Learn To Be Lonely” from “The Phantom of the Opera” (Warner Bros.)
Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber
Lyric by Charles Hart
“Look To Your Path (Vois Sur Ton Chemin)” from “The Chorus (Les Choristes)” (Miramax)
Music by Bruno Coulais
Lyric by Christophe Barratier

Best motion picture of the year
“The Aviator” (Miramax, Initial Entertainment Group and Warner Bros.)
A Forward Pass/Appian Way /IMF Production
Michael Mann and Graham King, Producers
“Finding Neverland” (Miramax)
A FilmColony Production
Richard N. Gladstein and Nellie Bellflower, Producers
* “Million Dollar Baby” (Warner Bros.)
A Warner Bros. Pictures Production
Clint Eastwood, Albert S. Ruddy and Tom Rosenberg, Producers
“Ray” (Universal)
A Universal Pictures/Bristol Bay Production
Taylor Hackford, Stuart Benjamin and Howard Baldwin, Producers
“Sideways” (Fox Searchlight/20th Century Fox)
A Sideways Productions, Inc. Production
Michael London, Producer

Best animated short film
“Birthday Boy” An Australian Film, TV and Radio School Production
Sejong Park and Andrew Gregory
“Gopher Broke”
A Blur Studio Production
Jeff Fowler and Tim Miller
“Guard Dog”
A Bill Plympton Production
Bill Plympton
“Lorenzo”
A Walt Disney Pictures Production
Mike Gabriel and Baker Bloodworth
* “Ryan”
A Copper Heart Entertainment & National Film Board of Canada Production
Chris Landreth

Best live action short film
“Everything in This Country Must”
A Six Mile LLC Production
Gary McKendry
“Little Terrorist”
An Alipur Films Production
Ashvin Kumar
“7:35 in the Morning ( 7:35 de la Mañana)”
An Ibarretxe & Co. Production
Nacho Vigalondo
“Two Cars, One Night”
A Defender Films Limited Production
Taika Waititi and Ainsley Gardiner
* “Wasp”
A Cowboy Films Production
Andrea Arnold

Achievement in sound editing
* “The Incredibles” ( Buena Vista ) Michael Silvers and Randy Thom
“The Polar Express” (Warner Bros.) Randy Thom and Dennis Leonard
“Spider-Man 2” (Sony Pictures Releasing) Paul N.J. Ottosson

Achievement in sound mixing
“The Aviator” (Miramax, Initial Entertainment Group and Warner Bros.)
Tom Fleischman and Petur Hliddal
“The Incredibles” ( Buena Vista )
Randy Thom, Gary A. Rizzo and Doc Kane
“The Polar Express” (Warner Bros.)
Randy Thom, Tom Johnson, Dennis Sands and William B. Kaplan
* “Ray” (Universal)
Scott Millan, Greg Orloff, Bob Beemer and Steve Cantamessa
“Spider-Man 2” (Sony Pictures Releasing)
Kevin O’Connell, Greg P. Russell, Jeffrey J. Haboush and Joseph Geisinger

Achievement in visual effects
“Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” (Warner Bros.)
Roger Guyett, Tim Burke, John Richardson and Bill George
“I, Robot” (20th Century Fox)
John Nelson, Andrew R. Jones, Erik Nash and Joe Letteri
* “Spider-Man 2” (Sony Pictures Releasing) John Dykstra, Scott Stokdyk, Anthony LaMolinara and John Frazier

Adapted screenplay
“Before Sunset” (Warner Independent Pictures)
Screenplay by Richard Linklater & Julie Delpy & Ethan Hawke
Story by Richard Linklater & Kim Krizan
“Finding Neverland” (Miramax)
Screenplay by David Magee
“Million Dollar Baby” (Warner Bros.)
Screenplay by Paul Haggis
“The Motorcycle Diaries” (Focus Features and Film Four)
Screenplay by José Rivera
* “Sideways” (Fox Searchlight/20th Century Fox)
Screenplay by Alexander Payne & Jim Taylor

Original screenplay
“The Aviator” (Miramax, Initial Entertainment Group and Warner Bros.)
Written by John Logan
* “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” (Focus Features)
Screenplay by Charlie Kaufman
Story by Charlie Kaufman & Michel Gondry & Pierre Bismuth
“Hotel Rwanda” (United Artists in association with Lions Gate Entertainment through MGM Distribution Co.)
Written by Keir Pearson & Terry George
“The Incredibles” ( Buena Vista )
Written by Brad Bird
“Vera Drake” (Fine Line Features, Alain Sarde and UK Film Council in association with Inside Track Films)
Written by Mike Leigh

http://www.oscars.com/oscarnight/winners/index.html
http://www.oscars.org/77academyawards/nomswins.html

Sunday, February 27, 2005

Moonrise


Moonrise. Poster from B-Noir Detour. Please click to enlarge the image.

Kuun noustessa / Månen går upp. US © 1948 Chas K. Feldman Group. A Republic release. D: Frank Borzage. P+SC: Charles Haas – based on a novel by Theodore Strauss (1946). DP: John L. Russell. M: William Lava. "Moonrise" (William Lava, Harry Tobias). "Lonesome" (Theodore Strauss, William Lava) sung by David Street.
    Starring Dane Clark (Danny Hawkins), Gail Russell (Gilly Johnson), Ethel Barrymore (Grandma), Allyn Joslyn (Clem Otis), Rex Ingram (Mose), Harry Carey, Jr. (Jimmy Biff), Lloyd Bridges (Jerry Sykes). 88 min.
    Brilliant print from UCLA restoration master; beautiful definition of light.
    Viewed at Orion, Helsinki, 27 Feb 2005.

A dramatic opening montage brings us straight to the heart of this film noir: the curse of the convicted and hanged man shadowing the life of the son. The oblique and forceful visual conception is consistent through the picture: night, fog, shadows, silhouettes, fragmented bodies, partly seen faces. This is a strongly visual film. Also the music is good noir. The actors are a bit pale, themselves on the verge of being drowned in the menacing shadows. ***+

Saturday, February 26, 2005

Sideways



Sideways. US/HU (c) 2004 Twentieth Century Fox. D: Alexander Payne. SC: Alexander Payne, Jim Taylor – based on the novel by Rex Pickett. DP: Phedon Papamichael. M: Rolfe Kent – performed by the Sideways Orchestra.
    Starring Paul Giamatti (Miles), Thomas Haden Church (Jack), Sandra Oh (Stephanie), Virginia Madsen (Maya). In English and some Armenian. 123'.
    Released by FS Film with Finnish / Swedish subtitles by Katja Paanala / Marko Hietikko.
    Viewed at KinoPalatsi 7, Helsinki, 26 Feb 2005.

I have missed Alexander Payne's Citizen Ruth (1996) and Election (1999) but liked About Schmidt (2002), and now comes Sideways highly recommended. It's a laid back piece which does not push hard for effect. Reminiscent of the 1960s/1970s new / independent American cinema (Hal Ashby) it has connections to the road movie and the buddy movie but is quite an original. Miles and Jack are 40-something men who have not realized their aspirations in life. Miles the pessimist and Jack the optimist make a tour of the California vineyards a week before Jack gets married, tasting wine, playing golf and meeting women while Miles waits for an answer from his agent about the fate of his third unpublished novel manuscript. Nice acting, nice sense of atmosphere, nice music. The actors enjoy parodying their stereotypes but build their characters to more than that. This wine film simultaneously relishes in wine connoisseurship and mocks it. Like good wine, this film might grow with time. At least ***+

http://ww2.foxsearchlight.com/sideways

Friday, February 25, 2005

Film concert Humoresque (second screening)


Fritz Kreisler plays Humoresque: recordings available on YouTube.

See entry 22 Feb 2005. - SECOND HUMORESQUE FILM CONCERT, music arranged by Tuula Hällström, with Paula Nykänen (violin) and Tuula Hällström (piano). Themes from Dvorak, Kreisler, Mendelssohn, Tchaikovsky, Bach, Bruch (Kol Nidre). Orion, Helsinki, 25 Feb 2005. Excellent musical interpretation by the two young professionals, deeply felt and well timed. This musical arrangement would be worthy of touring and a release on DVD.

ADDED NOTES: For 20 years I have been involved in organizing music for silents, and I have heard more than a thousand attempts. This interpretation I think of as exemplary because of the match of the image and the music and because of the beauty of the performance.

Again a reminder of how misleading the concept "silent movie" is. Also in Finland, 1896-1931, live music was as essential in the cinema experience as the film itself. As it was the golden age of Finnish music, the music must have been wonderful. In Orion (then Athena) 7 musicians belonged to the staff.

Some highlights: Leon Kantor "playing for his own", including the Kol Nidre, with the montage of the Jewish audience. The Rendezvous with Death, Leon's farewell piece before entering the war.

Thursday, February 24, 2005

Suomalaista kansantaidetta / Folk Art in Finland

FI 1977. Commissioned by the State Department. D: Eino Ruutsalo. SC: Eino Ruutsalo, Ritva-Liisa Elomaa, Eero Naskali. DP: Eino Ruutsalo, Leena Valasmo – 35 mm, released in 16 mm. M: trad. folk music arr. Erik Dannholm (I recognized "The Wanderer" played with the kantele). Reader of commentary: Juhani U.E. Lehtonen. 24 min. Betacam SP viewed in Orion, Helsinki, 23 Feb 2005. Later on his career Ruutsalo delved more deeply into the roots of art, starting with pre-historical rock paintings, moving to the rustical arts and crafts and the ancient ornaments and forms reflected in more modern designs. How the magic of the past lives in present art. A great homage to tradition, a film of visual beauty.

Hvitträsk - talo metsässä

Hvitträsk - a House in the Forest. Commissioned by the State Department. FI 1972. D+DP: Eino Ruutsalo - 35 mm, distributed in 16 mm. SC: Tatu Tuohikorpi, Eino Ruutsalo. M: Jean Sibelius: Kullervo. Reader of commentary: Pekka Suhonen. 14 min. Betacam SP viewed in Orion, Helsinki, 23 Feb 2005. Back to the origins of the Finnish Design: the team Herman Gesellius, Armas Lindgren and Eliel Saarinen build their dream house and studio, Hvitträsk, in 1902. From there, Eliel Saarinen and his little son Eero Saarinen moved to the US and to a distinguished international career. A film of visual beauty and no experimental effects.

Alvar Aalto

FI 1972. Commissioned by the State Department. D+DP: Eino Ruutsalo - shot on 35mm, released on 16mm. SC: Tatu Tuohikorpi, Juha Tanttu, Eino Ruutsalo. M: Erik Bergman: Aubade, Energien Exsultate. Featuring Alvar Aalto, 19 min. Betacam SP viewed in Orion, Helsinki, 23 Feb 2005. A distinguished tribute to the whole career of the architect and designer Alvar Aalto. No more rapid montage sequences.

Finland ABC

FI 1969. Commissioned by Finnish Tourist Board. D+DP: Eino Ruutsalo - 35 mm, released on 16 mm. SC: Juha Tanttu, Eino Ruutsalo. M: Otto Donner. 24 min. English version. Betacam SP viewed in Orion, Helsinki, 23 Feb 2005. A playful take on the theme of Finland as an exotic land for tourists, in alphabetical order, as in a film by Peter Greenaway. Ambitious montage effects.

Wednesday, February 23, 2005

Sinisilmäinen Helsinki / Blue-Eyed Helsinki

FI 1963. Commissioned by the City of Helsinki. D: Eino Ruutsalo. DP: Timo Tanttu, Eino Ruutsalo - 35 mm, distributed in 16 mm. M: Otto Donner. 18 min. Viewed on Betacam SP, Orion, Helsinki, 23 Feb 2005. The kinetic film artist Ruutsalo let loose on the topic of Helsinki with more pure visuals and montage effects than in routine tourist fare.

Tuesday, February 22, 2005

Film concert Humoresque (1920) (Tuula Hällström, piano, and Paula Nykänen, violin)


Still from the production of the American film Humoresque (1920) with director Frank Borzage on the floor, the small girl Miriam Battista, Alma Rubens and Gaston Glass on the left, and to the right Vera Gordon with Dore Davidson standing with folded hands, on page 118 of Peter Milne, Motion Picture Directing; The Facts and Theories of the Newest Art (1922). From Wikimedia Commons. Please click to enlarge the image.

Humoreski. US © 1920 International Film Service. PC: Cosmopolitan. P: W. R. Hearst, released thru Famous Players-Lasky / Paramount-Artcraft / Adolph Zukor. D: Frank Borzage. SC: Frances Marion - based on a story by Fannie Hurst. DP: Gilbert Warrenton. M: Hugo Riesenfeld, including Humoresque by Dvorák, Fritz Kreisler played the violin in the premiere.
    Starring Gaston Glass (Leon Kantor), Alma Rubens (Gina Berg = Minnie Ginsberg), Vera Gordon (Mama Kantor), Dore Davidson (Abraham Kantor).
    5631 ft /20 fps/ 76 min
    Beautiful toned print restored by UCLA ca. 1986, some preserved scenes on the verge of decomposition.
    Film concert arranged by Tuula Hällström, with Paula Nykänen (violin) and Tuula Hällström (piano). Themes from Dvorak, Kreisler, Mendelssohn, Tchaikovsky, Bach, Bruch (Kol Nidre). Orion, Helsinki (Frank Borzage), 22 Feb 2005.

Excellent musical interpretation by the two young professionals, deeply felt and well timed. This musical arrangement would be worthy of touring and a release on DVD.

Borzage's first masterpiece revisited, has lost none of its power. There is a special visual intensity, both in the glowing faces of the actors and the glimpses of Jewish life in New York. Borzage had already discovered the close-up as an art form. The faces of the old-timers seem to be inscribed with ancient history. This film started the great 1920s Jewish cycle in American cinema, another culmination of which was The Jazz Singer, a story which has many parallels with this one: the mother's love; the Kol Nidre / the mortal music. ****

Monday, February 21, 2005

AFTER THE BERLIN FILM FESTIVAL 2005


The press conference of Lajos Koltai: Sorstalanság / Fateless (HU 2005). Imre Kertész, Marcell Nagy and Lajos Koltai. Berlin Film Festival, 15 Feb 2005.

My personal awards for the Berlin Film Festival:

BEST FILMS: Sorstalanság (Fateless), Paradise Now, In Good Company
BEST DIALOGUE: Patrick Marber in Asylum
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY: Kong que (The Peacock)
BEST FEMALE LEAD: Julia Jentsch (Sophie Scholl - die letzten Tage)
BEST MALE LEADS: Michel Bouquet (Le Promeneur du Champ de Mars), Marcell Nagy (Sorstalanság)
BEST EXHIBITION: Stanley Kubrick
BEST COMEDY: Hitch
BEST GERMAN FILMS: Gespenster, Sophie Scholl - die letzten Tage
BEST FINNISH FILMS: Brasileirinho, Eläville ja kuolleille
THE MOST MOVING MOMENT: Imre Kertesz and Marcell Nagy presenting Sorstalanság in Berlinale-Palast, next to the former Hitler headquarters

There was a profile and an identity to the main series of the Berlin Film Festival. It was openly and inspiringly political. The horror of the past was faced in several films as we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the victory over Fascism. Both Rwanda films (Hotel Rwanda and Sometimes in April) connected this theme to the present. Also Kinsey has an important subterranean connection to these matters.

Sunday, February 20, 2005

Kinsey



DE/US/GB (c) 2004 N1 European Filmproduktions-GmbH & Co. KG. D+SC: Bill Condon. DP: Frederick Elmes.
   Starring Liam Neeson (Alfred Kinsey), Laura Linney (Clara McMillen >Kinsey), Chris O'Donnell (Wardell Pomeroy), Peter Sarsgaard (Clyde Martin), Timothy Hutton (Paul Gebhard), John Lithgow (Alfred Kinsey Sr.), Tim Curry (Thurman Rice), Lynn Redgrave (the final interviewee).
    118 min.
    An Icon Entertainment release, German subtitles by Gaby Gehlen.
    Viewed at Berlinale-Palast, Berlin Film Festival (main series, outside competition), 20 Feb 2005.

A first-rate work from Bill Condon (Gods and Monsters) in the style of the Warner Bros. 1930s biopics: the crusader fighting for truth despite contempt and prejudice. The theme of the film: the infinite variety of life, also finding its expression in sex. Kinsey belongs also to the current trend of re-discovering homosexuality in the mainstream (cf. De-Lovely, Alexander). Thanks to the excellent actors, a moving experience. Condon handles tenderly private moments such as Kinsey's bitter clash with his father, and his repeating the pattern with his own son. The Kinseys' own marital life is handled with humour.

George Cukor tackled the theme in his The Chapman Report, also based on Kinsey, hampered by the Code, yet including the magisterial Claire Bloom story.

***½