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
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
Finland unveiled six upcoming shows at Mipcom, with thrillers continuing to be relevant but Nordic Noir taking a back seat.
The showcase, organized by Audiovisual Producers Finland – Apfi partnering up with Yle, Finnish Film Foundation, Elisa Viihde and Film in Finland, spotlighted a thriller about a data leak, “cosy” crime series and even animation inspired by unboxing videos.
Aurora Studios is developing “Sunset Grove” with Elisa Viihde, described as a “feel-good crime story.” The shoot will start in September next year.
Through eight episodes, made in co-production with Fire Monkey, it will follow three elderly ladies from different backgrounds as they settle in a retirement home “where growing old is the least of your problems.”
Soon, they will have to turn into “Sherlocks in support tights,” said producer Severi Koivusalo, and team up to solve a crime.
“I am in my thirties and I don’t usually fantasize about retirement homes.
The showcase, organized by Audiovisual Producers Finland – Apfi partnering up with Yle, Finnish Film Foundation, Elisa Viihde and Film in Finland, spotlighted a thriller about a data leak, “cosy” crime series and even animation inspired by unboxing videos.
Aurora Studios is developing “Sunset Grove” with Elisa Viihde, described as a “feel-good crime story.” The shoot will start in September next year.
Through eight episodes, made in co-production with Fire Monkey, it will follow three elderly ladies from different backgrounds as they settle in a retirement home “where growing old is the least of your problems.”
Soon, they will have to turn into “Sherlocks in support tights,” said producer Severi Koivusalo, and team up to solve a crime.
“I am in my thirties and I don’t usually fantasize about retirement homes.
- 10/20/2022
- by Marta Balaga
- Variety Film + TV
Kemppinen previously was CEO of Nordisk Film & TV Fond.
Finland’s Aurora Studios, which works across funding, development, production and distribution of film and TV, has appointed Petri Kemppinen as its new CEO.
Kemppinen previously was CEO of Nordisk Film & TV Fond from 2013 until November 2019. Prior to that he worked at Finnish Film Foundation and Finnish public broadcaster Yle.
He replaces previous CEO Antti Toiviainen who has left the company. Kemppinen takes up the new post this summer and had already been consulting for the upstart Aurora, which launched a year ago.
Also, Hanna Lajunen will join Aurora Studios as head of distribution.
Finland’s Aurora Studios, which works across funding, development, production and distribution of film and TV, has appointed Petri Kemppinen as its new CEO.
Kemppinen previously was CEO of Nordisk Film & TV Fond from 2013 until November 2019. Prior to that he worked at Finnish Film Foundation and Finnish public broadcaster Yle.
He replaces previous CEO Antti Toiviainen who has left the company. Kemppinen takes up the new post this summer and had already been consulting for the upstart Aurora, which launched a year ago.
Also, Hanna Lajunen will join Aurora Studios as head of distribution.
- 4/30/2021
- by Wendy Mitchell
- ScreenDaily
Finland’s Aurora Studios has launched a private equity fund aimed at film and TV content, kicking off with “Bubble,” a movie directed by Aleksi Salmenperä (“Giant”).
“Bubble” will star Minna Haapkylä, Tommi Korpela, Anna-Maija Tuokko and Stella Leppikorpi. Haapkylä is also producing the movie at Rabbit Films.
The 5.5 million euros ($6.4 million) private equity scheme, called the Finnish Impact Film Fund, was created by Aurora Studios, which is owned by the publishing group Otava, along with Ari Tolppanen’s financing vehicle Capman, and the investment banker Ari Lahti, founder of Ice Capital.
“Aurora Studios was established to facilitate the work of producers and creators, and to further the completion of domestic, high-quality audiovisual content, so the Finnish Impact Film Fund is an integral part of this strategy,” said Tolppanen.
“With it we can act as even better partners and allies to producers and creators, as well as help talented teams...
“Bubble” will star Minna Haapkylä, Tommi Korpela, Anna-Maija Tuokko and Stella Leppikorpi. Haapkylä is also producing the movie at Rabbit Films.
The 5.5 million euros ($6.4 million) private equity scheme, called the Finnish Impact Film Fund, was created by Aurora Studios, which is owned by the publishing group Otava, along with Ari Tolppanen’s financing vehicle Capman, and the investment banker Ari Lahti, founder of Ice Capital.
“Aurora Studios was established to facilitate the work of producers and creators, and to further the completion of domestic, high-quality audiovisual content, so the Finnish Impact Film Fund is an integral part of this strategy,” said Tolppanen.
“With it we can act as even better partners and allies to producers and creators, as well as help talented teams...
- 3/31/2021
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Private equity fund will invest in Finnish films and TV series.
Finland’s Aurora Studios is launching a private equity fund worth $6.4m (€5.5m) to invest in Finnish films and TV series, kicking off with Aleksi Salmenperä’s drama comedy Bubble.
The Finnish Impact Film Fund is backed by private equity professional and CapMan founder Ari Tolppanen, investment banker and Icecapital founder Ari Lahti and Otava, which is Finland’s largest book publisher.
Salmenperä’s Bubble is in post-production after shooting in the Finnish town of Karkkila in February, and Aurora plans to distribute the film at the end of...
Finland’s Aurora Studios is launching a private equity fund worth $6.4m (€5.5m) to invest in Finnish films and TV series, kicking off with Aleksi Salmenperä’s drama comedy Bubble.
The Finnish Impact Film Fund is backed by private equity professional and CapMan founder Ari Tolppanen, investment banker and Icecapital founder Ari Lahti and Otava, which is Finland’s largest book publisher.
Salmenperä’s Bubble is in post-production after shooting in the Finnish town of Karkkila in February, and Aurora plans to distribute the film at the end of...
- 3/30/2021
- by Wendy Mitchell
- ScreenDaily
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