15-10-2012

Four Finnish documentaries heading to IDFA

    Four Finnish documentaries have been selected to the Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA): When Heroes Lie, Litmanen, The King, Soundbreaker and My Godfather, His Thai Bride and Me.

    When Heroes Lie, which is directed by Arto Halonen, was selected to the Reflection Images: Masters section. In the Masters section the festival keeps track of its favorite, established documentary filmmakers. When Heroes Lie delves into the 2001 Lahti doping scandal and the illegal substance use in competitive skiing in general.

    Reflection Images: Panorama will feature King Litmanen directed by Arto Koskinen and Soundbreaker directed by Kimmo Koskela. Panorama section features thought-provoking documentaries that discuss urgent and current topics.

    Litmanen, The King, which is directed by Arto Koskinen and produced by Mika Kaurismäki, follows the twists and turns of the life of a great football player. Litmanen, The King was released by FS Film in Finland on 28 September. It already has close to 20 000 admissions.

    Kimmo Koskela’s Soundbreaker is a film odyssey, which follows the sonic adventures of one of the world´s most exciting and fearless artists – Finland´s Kimmo Pohjonen. Soundbreaker was awarded in Montreal at FIFA last Spring with an Award for Creativity.

    My Godfather, His Thai Bride and Me was selected to the IDFA Competition for Student Documentary. Wille Hyvönen has directed a documentary film about his Godfather Seppo, who is planning a wedding with Thai girlfriend Pini. Hyvönen does not believe in the authenticity of love and goes with the film crew to Thailand to find out what is going on.

    The festival has also invited Arto Halonen to join its student competition jury. IDFA will be held in Amsterdam between 14 and 25 November 2012.