HEAVEN, 6min,. Finland
Directed by Masha Shalagina
A young woman struggles with feeling trapped inside her body, and the authoritarian and dystopian society she lives in. She clings on to hope as she desperately tries to escape.

http://www.cruxmusique.com/
https://www.instagram.com/cruxmusique/

Get to know Producer Björn Suomivuori:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

Natalya (producer) and I (executive producer) matched on Bumble during the covid lockdowns. She's a former student of the Vaganova Ballet Academy in St Petersburg, Russia and I live in a city across the border in Helsinki, Finland. We knew we couldn't meet because of the lockdowns but we talked a lot and connected. We wanted to produce something together. She loves dance, and I wanted to do a music video that's cinematic and doesn't have bands playing in it. We decided to do something about mental health. However when the war started everything changed, but we just went with it.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

Two years from making the music to finishing the final product.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?

Experimental, Expressive

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

Definitely the war. Because I am from Finland and Natalya is from Russia, our countries hate each other. Being co-producers in this project was challenging because of visa issues, transferring money and then nobody wanted to see the film because it had ties to Russia. We are grateful that there are exceptions.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

Honestly, I cried. Because, the way they verbalized it was amazing, and it was so cool to see that you had gone through the trouble of recording those reactions. I didn't expect people to understand how it's one piece of music and film and choreography, it's not just music and film and dance, it's one singular form of the same language.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?

Probably in High School when I saw Ingmar Bergman's movies the first time. My role is to be an executive producer and focus on the idea creating, development, securing resources and the commercial side. This just naturally came together as a role for me through different career choices.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?

Probably Aliens (1986)

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?

Honestly, you are already superior in your offering than all of the others I've submitted to.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?

They're good, very happy.

10. What is your favorite meal?

Just a steak and French fries.

11. What is next for you? A new film?

I'm working on a project about a nurse who treats terminally ill patients for a living. It will also be expressed through dance and music. I have found a cinematographer but still looking for a director.