A combination of new and classic American films, drive-in screenings, and silent film concerts
This year’s thematic focus on migration and American cinema will be explored through discussions and concerts as well as through a variety of films—and, in culinary form, through the festival menu offered at the Työväentalo Café. Ticket sales will begin on Bio Rex’s website at noon on Thursday, August 25th.
Organized for the fifth time, Kokkola Film Fest’s US-themed program includes new releases (Red Rocket, Minari, Queen & Slim, Leave No Trace) as well as classics (Casablanca, Killer of Sheep, Badlands, Salesman) in American cinema. More classics will also be shown at the drive-in screenings organized in the Event Park (Tapahtumapuisto): Rebel Without a Cause (1955) will be screened on Friday and American Graffiti (1973) on Saturday.
Festival goers get to enjoy Charlie Chaplin’s films in two different formats: The Kid will be screened with a live musical performance by the Central Ostrobothnia Chamber Orchestra, led by conductor Kimmo Tullila, while Monsieur Verdoux will be shown in cooperation with the Kokkola City Theater on the theater’s main stage, in anticipation of the stage adaptation of Monsieur Verdoux, which will premiere on the same stage in November.
On Friday, Kino Orchestra will accompany the screening of Beggars of Life (1928). This year’s thematic focus on American migration finds its ultimate expression in this classic silent film about a young female fugitive who begins hopping freight trains with vagabonds in pre-Great Depression era United States.
On Friday and Saturday, fans of new Finnish cinema will be treated to two advance screenings of The Woodcutter’s Story, which had its world premiere at Cannes in May. The director and screenwriter Mikko Myllylahti and actors Jarkko Lahti and Ulla Tapaninen will be present at the screening.
In addition to the cinema concerts, Kino Orchestra will perform at Työväentalo on Friday, while, on Saturday, Aija Puurtinen & Brooklynin satu will play at Seurahuone, where the band invites the audience to explore the sounds of American-Finnish emigration through the centuries. Music enthusiasts should also note the program’s two documentary screenings: Summer of Soul, winner of the best documentary film at this year’s Oscars, and Karaoke Paradise, a Finnish documentary film about karaoke music, which will be followed by a karaoke-themed after party hosted by Miia Reko at Seurahuone.
The fifth Kokkola Film Fest will take place from September 8th to 11th. Covid-19-related restrictions have been lifted for this year’s festival in accordance with the official Finnish health and safety guidelines, but guest safety remains a priority.
Image: Leave No Trace