People Next Door 2022 / Sokea mies joka ei halunnut nähdä Titanicia / Finland 2021
Jaakko is visually impaired and uses a wheelchair. He is in love with Sirpa. They haven’t met in person yet, but they speak to each other regularly on the telephone. One day something unexpected happens and Jaakko decides he must go to her immediately, so he gathers his courage and sets out on his own… A film which doesn’t tell a story of physical disability, but it successfully mediates the experience of it. Winner at Venice as part of Orizzonti Extra.
Jaakko is visually impaired and uses a wheelchair, nevertheless, he’s optimistic and self-sufficient as far as possible. He’s in love with Sirpa; they haven’t met in person yet, but they speak to each other regularly on the phone. One day something unexpected happens and Jaakko decides he must go to her immediately, so he gathers his courage and sets out on his own, relying only on his hearing and the help of strangers… The film doesn’t tell a story of physical disability, but it successfully mediates the experience without instructing the viewer, or pitying or humiliating the hero. The lead actor, Petri Poikolainen, collaborated on the story and, like the protagonist, suffers from multiple sclerosis. This exceptional piece won an award at Venice as part of Orizzonti Extra.
Anna Kořínek
82 min / Color, DCP
Director Teemu Nikki
/ Screenplay Teemu Nikki
/ Dir. of Photography Sari Aaltonen
/ Editor Jussi Sandhu
/ Producer Jani Poso
/ Production It's Alive Films
/ Coproduction Wacky Tie Films
/ Cast Petri Poikolainen, Marjaana Maijala
/ Sales Intramovies
Teemu Nikki (1975, Sysmä, Finland). Selected filmography: Simo Times Three (3 Simoa, 2012), Lovemilla (2015), The Log (Halko, 2016, short), Euthanizer (Armomurhaaja, 2017), Nimby (2020), The Blind Man Who Did Not Want to See Titanic (Sokea mies joka ei halunnut nähdä Titanicia, 2021).
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