Midnight Sun Film Festival 2009
The non-competitive festival takes places in the village of Sodankylä, more than 100 kilometres above the Arctic Circle, where the sun doesn’t set at all in the summertime. It was founded in 1986 by Finnish filmmakers, e.g. the Kaurismäki brothers. Located in the Lappish nature the festival has a unique and relaxed atmosphere, attracting film buffs and lovers from all around Europe.
Films are shown for nearly 24 hours a day, mainly fictional ones. The program can be loosely divided into outstanding classics, new films, new Finish films and silent films with live music. In the mornings there are discussions with the main guests, lead by festival director Peter von Bagh.
Among this year’s guests were Fatih Akin, John Boorman, Andreas Dresen, Sergei Dvortsevoy, Robert Guédiguian and Samira Makhmalbaf. One of the highlights was a screening of Charlie Chaplin’s The Gold Rush in its original form, accompanied by the Oulu Symphony Orchestra.
photos by Jaana Rannikko (1), Mikula Lüllwitz (2 & 3), Santeri Happonen (4), János Richter (5)
