- StoryTent was set up in market places around Finland to collect stories from random passers-by without any thematic limitations imposed by the film-makers. Thus, something unexpected happened, personal stories became stories within a story.—Jussi Oroza
- StoryTent mission is to share humanity's stories in order to build bridges between people and create a more just and compassionate world. In Stories from Finland "FINNS", the common people becomes alive and feels meaningful as they are seen and connected with the viewer.
We hear stories told by every generation, stories about hope, love, family, God, etc. We hear echoes of the past, the humbleness of the older generations, wounds, gratitude and happiness. In this film, we hear tales that enhance feelings of identity, cohesion, competence, success, appreciation, opportunities, pride, self-respect and empowerment. The StoryTent is finally a magical and intimate space where personal stories connect with the communal memory and form a poetic narrative about Finnish soul, yet based on the fundamental questions of universal, collective consciousness. The "Stories from Finland" is also a visual contribution, and the attempt to link the bipartite society by emphasizing common environment, values and experiences. And at the same time: the path of life is basically immutable: love putting everything into motion, finding a pair, father and mother shape the fate of children. The purpose of the film is to open bridges between people and make visible the meanings and interpretations that we can call the human understanding of ourselves and the rest of the world. The movie activates us to really listen and motivate to share. It is a really important question that, are we indeed isolated and alienated, lost contact with each other and our own values as well as ourselves. Essential, and the aim in this film is to find humanity, connect with shared stories.
Nearly 600 stories were filmed in Finland and I finally chose for the movie thirty-three. These historically and emotionally most representative personal stories form the dramatic body of the film. We go from love to birth, from childhood to youth, from famine to wartime, from urbanization to prosperous and fast internationalizing Finland. The film is also an official documentary movie of Finland 100 years of independence celebration program. Every viewer can look this film as a mirror, and he or she will see him or herself.
This is one of the few films which really tells us more than just about us and our culture, it reaches something universal but recognizable. Really a great film and really inspiring experience. (From:/ Erkko Lyytinen, commissioning editor, YLE).
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