Cinema Laika

Cinema Laika

Director Veljko Vidak

1 hr. 12 min. · France, Finland, 2023 · Documentary · English, Finnish, French · Subtitles: Lithuanian, English · Pegi 13

About the film

The Finnish town of Karkkila is surrounded by breathtaking nature, but has become increasingly deserted over the last few decades. Only the metal industry remains active here. Aki Kaurismäki, Finland's most famous film director, together with his poet friend Mika Lätti, decide to set up a cinema in an old foundry. It is called Cinema Laika, after Kaurismäki's two dogs, and the artists are helped by the inhabitants of Karkkila, who fill the new cinema with the sounds of rock'n'roll music and motorcycles as well as vintage Cadillacs. The film combines dry Finnish humour with Kaurismäki's own subtle style. Jim Jarmusch himself makes an unexpected appearance.  

Details

Running time
1 hr. 12 min.
Country, year
France, Finland, 2023
Genre
Documentary
Language
English, Finnish, French
Subtitles
Lithuanian, English
Age rating
Pegi 13

Credits

Director
Veljko Vidak
Screenplay
Veljko Vidak, Emmanuelle Felce
Producers
Emmanuelle Felce, Sylvie Pialat, Benoît Quainon, Veljko Vidak
Music
Emmanuelle Felce, Tomi Leino
Cast
Aki Kaurismäki, Jim Jarmusch, Amy Taubin
More information
www.imdb.com

Festivals and awards

  • Copenhagen International Documentary Film Festival CPH:DOX
  • Thessaloniki International Documentary Film Festival
  • DocLisboa International Documentary Film Festival
Veljko Vidak

Director

Veljko Vidak

Croatian director and artist. He studied painting in Zagreb and received a scholarship to the prestigious Paris artist residency Cité Internationale. During his stay at the French Cinematheque, he became interested in cinema and started making video works on the themes of history and the subconscious. Cinema Laika is Vidak's first documentary film.