Havukka-ahon ajattelija (Backwood Philosopher)

Lessons of Havukka (Havukka-ahon ajattelija)

Feature Film 1 h 50 min

Director Kari Väänänen finally got his dream; to film “Lessons of Havukka” after planning it more than 10 years. A feature film adaptation of a much loved book by Veikko Huovinen. Together with producers Marko Röhr and Mikko Tenhunen from Matila Röhr Productions, Väänänen saw the final film in theatre at Premiere 27th of November 2009.

Visual FX supervisor Tuomo Hintikka from Generator Post started planning at spring 2009 before any shooting. There were many decisions to be made: how to make so-called “valikadet” work, how to shoot a huge pine tree for instance.

Generator Post team worked on over 60 effects shots on this film.
The most challenging sequence was the space scene. The main character, philosopher Konsta Pylkkänen, travels through space in his mind. The sequence starts with 50’s science book and slowly transforms to a photorealistic flight through the universe.

DOP Timo Salminen and Generator colorist Timo Luomanen graded RED original material and the result is an extraordinary achievement in visual looks. Mr. Salminen’s instructions to Mr. Luomanen were simple and clear: the paintings of Akseli Gallen-Kallela. Mr. Luomanen being no stranger to Gallen-Kallela from previous engagements in still-photography, set about to redefine the standard of what can be done with digital photography. Freeze a frame of the finished film and decide yourself. Do you feel like looking at a lost painting made by the master Gallel-Kallela, suddenly coming alive in moving pictures? We do!

We like to think we helped a double adaptation come alive, great story and great visual art. These are the best challenges for a post house, and when the result is widely appreciated, we cannot be happier!