ABOUT THE MOVIE
Veneh is a poetic depiction of transition and the end of childhood. It tells of a young Karelian bride, who is about to leave her home. She is prepared for her wedding, which in Karelia was a long process. The movie follows traditional rituals, colliding the genres of ethnographic and drama film with music and dance video styles.
WHAT KARELIAN LANGUAGE
The language used in the film is Karelian, especially Olonets Karelian dialect. Karelians are indigenous people in a region which is divided by the Finnish-Russian border. The language is 1200-years-old and in older times Karelian culture was strong and widely spread. In Russia Karelian was recognized as a separate language already in the 18th century, but not before 2009 it got its official minority language status in Finland. Nowadays the distinctive Karelian culture and language face the risk of extinction in both countries.
Veneh is the first film done in Karelian. Art projects like ours are essentially important when strengthening the minority language and ethnic identity.
TO WHOM?
The aim of our film is to raise public interest in the traditions and language of Karelians. It is especially focused on youth and young adults.
Duration of the film will be 30 minutes, which enables the movie to be presented at various film festivals, television, events and educational projects.
ABOUT THE PROJECT
The script writer, director and producer of the film is dance artist Jyrki Haapala, director of photography is visual artist Tero Puha, music will be composed by folk musician Saija Teirikangas and the sound design is done by musician Mikko Väärälä.
The film material was filmed during summer and autumn 2013. With the 4000 € gathered with Mesenaatti crowdfunding we are able to start and complete the post production including music composition, recording, sound design, film edit and colour grading. The film will be completed by the end of year 2014.
You are warmly welcome to join our team by funding this important film project!