Finnish films showcased at Japanese animation festival

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A series of Finnish animation films was shown at the International Animation Festival in the Japanese city of Hiroshima on Monday evening.
      The Finnish series is one of the most wide-ranging collections of Finnish cinema ever shown at a foreign festival. In addition to nine short films, there were two full-length features.
     
The films were selected by the festival’s director Sayoko Kinoshita, who said that she wanted to “show the whole range of Finnish animation”. The selection includes student projects, short subjects, children’s films, as well as commercials from the 1960s to the present day.
      Why Finland?
      “Many asked me that, but after seeing the programme, many doubters were convinced and are satisfied.”
      Kinoshita, who has directed animated films herself, was intrigued by the versatility of animation in Finland, and the use of different techniques: puppets, drawings, and computers.
     
Kinoshita visited Finland in March to select the films to be shown at the festival.
      She saw a number of films at the Tampere Film Festival, the Finnish Film Archive, various organisations, and producers’ studios. “I was also given DVDs, which I watched for days on end.”
      “Fifteen years ago I visited the Turku Animation School, when it was just starting out, but I saw strong energy among the students. Now I visited their studio, and they have grown into magnificent artists. They do things in a new way. I am proud of Finnish animation.”
     
Kinoshita also appreciates Finnish humour. “In animation, it is communicated to the audience. It is perhaps not as black as is sometimes said.”
      “I also learned something new. I didn’t know that Finland is a tango country. I wanted to put forward this culture as well, and that is why the programme includes Tango Finlandia by Hannu Lajunen and Tomi Riionheimo.
     
More than 30 Finnish guests travelled to the Hiroshima festival. “I am happy that many arrived, even though the lodging costs exceeded our budget.
      So what do the Japanese know about Finland?
      “Possibly nothing at all. The Moomin characters are known, although some believe that they are Japanese. In addition, the country’s northern location, the sauna, and Santa Claus are familiar. In the festival I wanted to create a connection with Finland through animation.”


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Controversial Mannerheim puppet animation wins prize at Tampere Film Festival (10.3.2008)

Links:
  Wikipedia: Hiroshima International Animation Festival

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