1.
Helsinki
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Helsinki is the capital and largest city of Finland. It is in the region of Uusimaa, in southern Finland, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland. Helsinki has a population of 629,512, a population of 1,231,595. Helsinki is located some 80 kilometres north of Tallinn, Estonia,400 km east of Stockholm, Sweden, Helsinki has close historical connections with these three cities. The Helsinki metropolitan area includes the core of Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa, Kauniainen. It is the worlds northernmost metro area of one million people. The Helsinki metropolitan area is the fourth largest metropolitan area in the Nordic countries, Helsinki is Finlands major political, educational, financial, cultural, and research center as well as one of northern Europes major cities. Approximately 75% of foreign companies operating in Finland have settled in the Helsinki region, the nearby municipality of Vantaa is the location of Helsinki Airport, with frequent service to various destinations in Europe and Asia. In 2009, Helsinki was chosen to be the World Design Capital for 2012 by the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design, the city was the venue for the 1952 Summer Olympics and the 52nd Eurovision Song Contest 2007. In 2011, the Monocle magazine ranked Helsinki the most liveable city in the world in its Liveable Cities Index 2011, in the Economist Intelligence Units August 2015 Liveability survey, assessing the best and worst cities to live in globally, Helsinki placed among the worlds top ten cities. Helsinki is used to refer to the city in most languages, the Swedish name Helsingfors is the original official name of the city. The Finnish name probably comes from Helsinga and similar names used for the river that is known as the Vantaa River. Helsingfors comes from the name of the parish, Helsinge and the rapids, which flowed through the original village. As part of the Grand Duchy of Finland in the Russian Empire, one suggestion for the origin of the name Helsinge is that it originated with medieval Swedish settlers who came from Hälsingland in Sweden. Others have proposed that the name derives from the Swedish word helsing, other Scandinavian cities located at similar geographic locations were given similar names at the time, for example Helsingør and Helsingborg. The name Helsinki has been used in Finnish official documents and in Finnish language newspapers since 1819, the decrees issued in Helsinki were dated with Helsinki as the place of issue. This is how the form Helsinki came to be used in written Finnish, in Helsinki slang the city is called Stadi. Hesa, is not used by natives to the city, helsset is the Northern Sami name of Helsinki
2.
Carl Michael Bellman
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Carl Michael Bellman was a Swedish poet, songwriter, composer and performer. Bellman is a figure in the Swedish song tradition and remains a powerful influence in Swedish music, as well as in Scandinavian literature. Bellman is best known for two collections of poems set to music, Fredmans songs and Fredmans epistles, each consists of about 70 songs. The general theme is drinking, but the songs most ingeniously combine words and music to express feelings and moods ranging from humorous to elegiac, Bellmans patrons included the King, Gustav III of Sweden, who called him the master improviser. Bellmans songs continue to be performed and recorded by musicians from Scandinavia and in languages including English, French. Several of his songs including Gubben Noak and Fjäriln vingad are known by heart by many Swedes, Carl Michael Bellman was born on 4 February 1740 in the Stora Daurerska house, which was one of the finest in the Södermalm district of Stockholm. The house was the property of his grandmother, Catharina von Santen. Carl Michaels parents were Johan Arndt Bellman, a civil servant and her family was wholly Swedish, whereas Johans family had German origins, they had come from Bremen in about 1660. When Carl Michael was four the family moved to a smaller and he briefly went to a local school, but was educated mainly by private tutors. He was the eldest of 15 children who lived long enough for their births to be registered and his parents had intended him to become a priest, but he fell ill with a fever, and on recovering found he could express any thought in rhyming verse. His parents appointed a tutor called Ennes who Bellman called a genius, Bellman was taught French, German, Italian, English and Latin. He read Horace and Boileau, Ennes taught him to poetry and to translate French. He was familiar with stories from the Bible including the Apocrypha, Carl Michael translated a French book by Du Four and dedicated it to his uncle, but the hint was ignored. Deep in debt, at the end of 1757 the family sent Carl Michael to the State Bank as an unpaid trainee and he had no aptitude for numbers, instead discovering the taverns and brothels which were to figure so largely in his songs. However, he met men from wealthy and noble families, went drinking with them. Bellman returned to the job, and seems quickly to have fallen into financial difficulty. The character of bailiff Blomberg appears in his songs, constantly trying to track down debtors, the law allowed the bankrupt only one way to escape from debtors prison, to leave Sweden. In 1763, Bellman ran away to Norway, from the safety of Halden he writes to the Council applying first for a passport, and then for a safe-conduct, both of which were granted
3.
Juha Vainio
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Juha Harri Junnu Vainio, also known as Juha Watt Vainio was a Finnish lyricist, singer, composer and teacher. With the lyrics or music to over 2,400 songs to his name, Vainio is as one of Finlands most prolific lyricists along with Sauvo Puhtila, Reino Helismaa, Vainio enjoyed a short professional career as a teacher at Kymenranta Primary School. Vainio began writing songs in the early 1960s and continued until his death, apart from his home town Kotka, he lived for several years in Helsinki and Espoo. In his last years Vainio lived in Gryon, Switzerland, where he died of an attack in October 1990. He is buried in the grave in Helsinki. He was given the nickname Watt on account of a song on his first solo record, never used by itself, the nickname was always part of Juha Watt Vainio. Juha Harri Vainio was born on May 10,1938, in Kotka and he spent much of his early childhood in Vuoksenniska, Imatra. His two siblings were Marja and Markku, Vainios grandfather, Emil Alajääski, changed his name to Vainio soon after the turn of the century. Vainios family on his fathers side boasted many athletes whilst Kaarina Vainio had some athletic background, after becoming engaged to Kaarina in 1937, Tauno Vainio worked in Vuoksenniska as a regional head of the White Guard, and was known as a man of principle. Kaarina Vainio had a school education, and Tauno Vainio had graduated as a trade technician. As a child, Juha Vainio loved singing and the neighbours often asked him to come over. When the Winter War started in 1939, Juha was too young to understand events, after his father went to war as a captain of the military reserve force, Juha moved with his mother to Metsola, Kotka. As an adult, the only thing Juha Vainio remembered from the war were the air-raid sirens and he once said that he was more afraid of the women next door than the war, but on the other hand admitted that the war left him with emotional scars. His song Eräänlainen sotaveteraani, on the album Sellaista elämä on, because Kotka was a harbour town and often bombed, Juha and his mother had to often evacuate. Sometimes they went to stay at her mothers cousins during the evacuations where Juha became friends with Olli Miettinen, the two had an age difference of six years. The only brother of Kaarina Vainio, Mauno, was killed in the war, in 1945, the Vainios moved into a detached house in Metsola where they lived until 1950 before moving again to Kotkansaari, in the centre of Kotka. Juha Vainio recalled that the most beautiful years of his childhood were spent in Metsola and it was there that he met Nestori Miikkulainen, four years his senior and who later featured in Vainios song Vanhojapoikia viiksekkäitä. Vainio often spent time in the harbour of Kotka with his friends and he was fond of the sea throughout his life
4.
Eurovision Song Contest 1980
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The Eurovision Song Contest 1980 was the 25th Eurovision Song Contest and was held on 19 April 1980 in The Hague. The presenter was Marlous Fluitsma, although each song was introduced by a presenter from the participating nation, in some cases, this was the same person providing the commentary. The contest was won by Johnny Logan, representing Ireland with a song called Whats Another Year, after Spain, the 2nd-place winner of 1979, and reportedly the UK, refused to host, the Netherlands finally agreed to host the show in a small-scale production. As with the recent 1977 and 1978 contests, there were no pre-filmed postcards between the songs, with a guest presenter from each nation introducing the entries, NOS spent just US$725,000 on the project. Morocco joined the Eurovision family for the first time, monaco withdrew, and would not return until the 2004 semi final. Australian-born Johnny Logan representing Ireland was the winner of this Eurovision with the song and this was Irelands second time winning the competition, having won in 1970 with All Kinds of Everything, which was also held on Dutch soil. They would finish in place again the following year, finally winning it in 1982. Germany would go on to second again in 1985 and 1987. United Kingdom returned to form by coming third, the Hague is the seat of government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the capital city of the province of South Holland. It is also the third largest city of the Netherlands, after Amsterdam and Rotterdam, located in the west of the Netherlands, The Hague is in the centre of the Haaglanden conurbation and lies at the southwest corner of the larger Randstad conurbation. The scoring system implemented in 1975 remained the same, each country had a jury who awarded 12,10,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1 point for their top ten songs. However this year for the first time, countries were required to cast their votes in ascending order,1,2,3 etc and this change made for the added excitement of waiting for each country to award their highest 12 points at the end of each voting round. For each nations performance, the orchestra was conducted by the following, Notes a. ^ Although the song was completely in Norwegian, the Netherlands gained a strong lead early on, getting the maximum douze points from three of the first four voting countries. This was not to last, however, as Germany and eventually Ireland overtook them, below is a summary of all 12 points in the final, Each song was introduced by a presenter from the national country. Thelma Mansfield introduced the song in Irish, whereas the song was performed in English
5.
The Walt Disney Company
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The Walt Disney Company, commonly known as Disney, is an American diversified multinational mass media and entertainment conglomerate, headquartered at the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California. It is the second largest media conglomerate in terms of revenue. Disney was founded on October 16,1923 – by brothers Walt Disney, the company also operated under the names The Walt Disney Studio and then Walt Disney Productions. Taking on its current name in 1986, it expanded its operations and also started divisions focused upon theater, radio, music, publishing. In addition, Disney has since created corporate divisions in order to more mature content than is typically associated with its flagship family-oriented brands. The company is best known for the products of its studio, Walt Disney Studios. Disneys other three divisions are Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, Disney Media Networks, and Disney Consumer Products. The company has been a component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average since May 6,1991, Mickey Mouse, an early and well-known cartoon creation of the company, is a primary symbol and mascot for Disney. In early 1923, Kansas City, Missouri, animator Walt Disney created a film entitled Alices Wonderland. After the bankruptcy in 1923 of his previous firm, Laugh-O-Gram Studios, Disney moved to Hollywood to join his brother, Walt and Roy Disney formed Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio that same year. More animated films followed after Alice, in January 1926, with the completion of the Disney studio on Hyperion Street, the Disney Brothers Studios name was changed to the Walt Disney Studio. The distributor owned Oswald, so Disney only made a few hundred dollars, Disney completed 26 Oswald shorts before losing the contract in February 1928, due to a legal loophole, when Winklers husband Charles Mintz took over their distribution company. After failing to take over the Disney Studio, Mintz hired away four of Disneys primary animators to start his own animation studio, Snappy Comedies. In 1928, to recover from the loss of Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, Disney came up with the idea of a character named Mortimer while on a train headed to California. The mouse was later renamed Mickey Mouse and starred in several Disney produced films, ub Iwerks refined Disneys initial design of Mickey Mouse. Disneys first sound film Steamboat Willie, a cartoon starring Mickey, was released on November 18,1928 through Pat Powers distribution company and it was the first Mickey Mouse sound cartoon released, but the third to be created, behind Plane Crazy and The Gallopin Gaucho. Disney used Pat Powers Cinephone system, created by Powers using Lee De Forests Phonofilm system, Steamboat Willie premiered at B. S. Mosss Colony Theater in New York City, now The Broadway Theatre. Disneys Plane Crazy and The Galloping Gaucho were then retrofitted with synchronized sound tracks, Disney continued to produce cartoons with Mickey Mouse and other characters, and began the Silly Symphonies series with Columbia Pictures signing on as Symphonies distributor in August 1929
6.
Tallinn
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Tallinn is the capital and largest city of Estonia. It is situated on the northern coast of the country, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland,80 km south of Helsinki, east of Stockholm, from the 13th century until 1918, the city was known as Reval. Tallinn occupies an area of 159.2 km2 and has a population of 444,591, approximately 33% of Estonias total population lives in Tallinn. Tallinn was founded in 1248, but the earliest human settlements date back 5,000 years, making it one of the oldest capital cities of Northern Europe. The initial claim over the land was laid by the Danes in 1219 after a raid of Lyndanisse led by Valdemar II of Denmark. Due to its location, the city became a major trade hub, especially from the 14th to the 16th century. Tallinns Old Town is one of the best preserved cities in Europe and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tallinn is the political, financial, cultural and educational center of Estonia. Often dubbed the Silicon Valley of Europe, it has the highest number of startups per person in Europe and is a birthplace of international companies. The city is to house the headquarters of the European Unions IT agency, providing to the global cybersecurity it is the home to the NATO Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence. It is ranked as a city and has been listed among the top 10 digital cities in the world. The city was a European Capital of Culture for 2011, along with Turku in Finland and it has been suggested that Quwri may have denoted a predecessor of the modern city. The earliest names of Tallinn include Kolyvan, which is known from East Slavic chronicles, up to the 13th century, the Scandinavians and Henry of Livonia in his chronicle called the town Lindanisa (or Lyndanisse in Danish, Lindanäs in Swedish and Ledenets in Old East Slavic. It has been suggested that the archaic Estonian word linda is similar to the Votic word lidna. According to this suggestion, nisa would have the meaning niemi, producing Kesoniemi, another ancient historical name for Tallinn in Finnish is Rääveli. The Icelandic Njals saga mentions Tallinn and calls it Rafala, which is a variant of the name Raphael, after the Danish conquest in 1219, the town became known in the German, Swedish and Danish languages as Reval. The name originated from Revelia Revala or Rävala, the adjacent ancient name of the surrounding area and it is usually thought to be derived from Taani-linn, after the Danes built the castle in place of the Estonian stronghold at Lindanisse. However, it could also have come from tali-linna, or talu-linna, the element -linna, like Germanic -burg and Slavic -grad / -gorod, originally meant fortress, but is used as a suffix in the formation of town names
7.
Brussels
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Brussels, officially the Brussels-Capital Region, is a region of Belgium comprising 19 municipalities, including the City of Brussels which is the capital of Belgium. The Brussels-Capital Region is a part of both the French Community of Belgium and the Flemish Community, but is separate from the region of Flanders or Wallonia. The region has a population of 1.2 million and an area with a population of over 1.8 million. Brussels is the de facto capital of the European Union as it hosts a number of principal EU institutions, the secretariat of the Benelux and the headquarters of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization are also located in Brussels. Today, it is considered an Alpha global city, historically a Dutch-speaking city, Brussels has seen a language shift to French from the late 19th century onwards. Today, the majority language is French, and the Brussels-Capital Region is a bilingual enclave within the Flemish Region. All road signs, street names, and many advertisements and services are shown in both languages, Brussels is increasingly becoming multilingual with increasing numbers of migrants, expatriates and minority groups speaking their own languages. The most common theory of the origin of Brussels name is that it derives from the Old Dutch Broekzele or Broeksel, meaning marsh, Saint Vindicianus, the bishop of Cambrai made the first recorded reference to the place Brosella in 695 when it was still a hamlet. The origin of the settlement that was to become Brussels lies in Saint Gaugericus construction of a chapel on an island in the river Senne around 580. The official founding of Brussels is usually situated around 979, when Duke Charles of Lower Lotharingia transferred the relics of Saint Gudula from Moorsel to the Saint Gaugericus chapel, Charles would construct the first permanent fortification in the city, doing so on that same island. Lambert I of Leuven, Count of Leuven gained the County of Brussels around 1000 by marrying Charles daughter, as it grew to a population of around 30,000, the surrounding marshes were drained to allow for further expansion. The Counts of Leuven became Dukes of Brabant at about this time, in the 13th century, the city got its first walls. After the construction of the city walls in the early 13th century, to let the city expand, a second set of walls was erected between 1356 and 1383. Today, traces of it can still be seen, mostly because the small ring, Brabant had lost its independence, but Brussels became the Princely Capital of the prosperous Low Countries, and flourished. In 1516 Charles V, who had been heir of the Low Countries since 1506, was declared King of Spain in St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral in Brussels. Upon the death of his grandfather, Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor in 1519 and it was in the Palace complex at Coudenberg that Charles V abdicated in 1555. This impressive palace, famous all over Europe, had expanded since it had first become the seat of the Dukes of Brabant. In 1695, during the Nine Years War, King Louis XIV of France sent troops to bombard Brussels with artillery, together with the resulting fire, it was the most destructive event in the entire history of Brussels
8.
Kullervo (Sallinen)
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Kullervo is an opera in two acts, Op.61 composed by Aulis Sallinen to his own libretto based on the story of Kullervo in the Finnish epic, Kalevala. The opera premiered on 25 February 1992 at the Los Angeles Music Center, the opera was commissioned by the Finnish National Opera and composed between 1986 and 1988. Kullervo was first performed on 25 February 1992 at the Los Angeles Music Center with the soloists, chorus and stage production from Finnish National Opera and it was recorded by the original cast and issued on CD by Ondine Records. The work did open the new Helsinki opera house in 1993, the scenario of Sallinens fifth opera, between The King Goes Forth to France and The Palace is based on the Kalevala epic and from the 1864 play by Aleksis Kivi. In a later interview, the composer, reflecting on King Lear, one reviewer has commented To call Kullervo dark and brutal does not do full justice to the opera, citing the love of Kullervos mother, friendship with Kimmo, even humour from the hunter. The music has a strong tonal basis and colourful effects enhanced by some imaginative instrumentation, the opera is scored for a large variety of instruments, including triple woodwind, four horns, three trumpets, three trombones and tuba, timpani, percussion, harp, synthesizer and strings. The act begins with a choral prologue recounting the feud between Kalervo and his brother Unto, leaders of opposing clans. Unto had burnt down Kalervoss house and believes that the family has been killed in the fire apart from Kalervos young son Kullervo whom Unto has taken as a slave. Kullervo proves to be a disturbed and unruly youth consumed with rage, Untos wife urges him to kill Kullervo, but wracked by guilt at what he had done to his brothers family, Unto sells Kullervo on to the blacksmith instead who puts him to work tending cattle. After an episode in the fields where Kullervo discovers that the wife has baked stones into his bread, he kills all the cattle. A violent quarrel between Kullervo and the blacksmiths wife ensues and he kills her with the broken knife that had belonged to his father and flees. Meanwhile, Kimmo finds Kullervos mother and father who had survived the fire, Kullervos father recounts what had happened to them after the fire while his mother mourns the disappearance of Kullervos sister Ainikki. By chance, Kullervo arrives at his parents house, at first he and his parents do not recognise each other, but with the arrival of Kimmo the truth is revealed. Kullervos father is horrified that his son has become a murderer, Kimmo blames himself for what has happened. The act opens with a dream sequence fueled by Kullervos rage at all that has happened to him and his lost sister Ainikki appears in the dream as does a blind singer who tells him that the girl he had seduced earlier was Ainikki. The blind man sings The Song of a Sisters Ravishing, in the next scene Kalervo, still horrified by Kullervos behaviour, refuses to acknowledge him as his son. In retaliation Kullervo tells his parents that he had slept with Ainikki. Realizing that he stay in his fathers house after this revelation
9.
Jussi Awards
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The Jussi Awards are Finlands premier film industry event, recognizing annually the past years excellence in Finnish film making by directors, actors, and writers. The first Jussi Awards ceremony was held on 16 November 1944 at the Restaurant Adlon in Helsinki, the award is probably the oldest film award in Europe. The award trophy is a statuette depicting a standing man with a hat. It was designed by sculptor Ben Renvall, all winners except in the public favorite category are chosen in a closed vote by Filmiaura, an association of roughly 260 film professionals
10.
Spede Pasanen
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Pertti Olavi Spede Pasanen was a Finnish film director and producer, comedian, humorist, inventor, TV personality and practitioner of gags. During his career he directed, wrote, produced or acted in about 50 movies and participated in numerous TV productions, including the comedy Spede Show, much of his more commercial work was in collaboration with Vesa-Matti Loiri and Simo Salminen. He was the owner of his own production company, Filmituotanto Spede Pasanen Ky. He is noted as the influence of many who make an attempt to break into the Finnish comedy scene. Spede also had a long, strained relationship with Suomen elokuvasäätiö, during the late 1950s and early 1960s Spede was a noted presence as a radio comedian. He applied to work at Yleisradio twice in 1956 and again in 1959 as an entertainment provider and was hired on his second try, Spedes most popular program was Ruljanssiriihi which combined sketch-comedy and musical performances. The program eventually developed into the program Hupiklubi, Spede and actor Leo Jokela also created the break-out character G. Pula-Aho, a smart-talking, Helsinki slang using parrot who would insult Spede on Ruljanssiriihi. Spedes other programs included Tervahöyry Hyrskynmyrskyn suvisilla laineilla, Hyvää iltaa – tulkaa mukaan, after playing several supporting roles throughout the 1950s Spede made his first starring appearance in 1964s X-Paroni which he wrote and co-directed with his on-screen co-star Jaakko Pakkasvirta. It was also the first movie Spede co-directed with Jukka Virtanen and Ere Kokkonen who would alternate directing Spedes future motion pictures, Spede had to finance most of his films during this period due to his poor relations with the Finnish Film Foundation. 1967s period-comedy Noin Seitsemän Veljestä was a parody of Robin Hood which Spede had worked on since the 1950s, the success of these movies led to Spede producing and releasing three movies in 1969, Näköradiomiehen ihmeelliset siekailut, Leikkikalugangsteri as well as his first colour feature Pohjan Tähteet. Näköradiomies performed well despite being a serious movie but it. Despite Pohjantähteet winning a shared Jussi Award for Kari Sohlberg in the category of best cinematography, Spede continued to experience success with 1970s Speedy Gonzales – noin 7 veljeksen poika and the tragic comedy Jussi Pussi. Speedy Gonzales performed well, despite Vesa-Matti Loiri being absent due to a leg injury just prior to shooting, Spede only produced this movie which was intended to give its four stars a chance to complete a motion-picture on their own. All three movies under-performed though which led to Spede taking a hiatus from film-making during which he focused exclusively on his TV work. Regardless, Spede won the 1971 Producers Jussi Award for all three movies, in 1973, Spede released the first Uuno Turhapuro movie based on the popular skit-character by the same name. To save costs, Spede filmed and edited the movie entirely on video and had it transferred to film for theatrical distribution, Uuno became a hit and a further four Uuno films were finished during the 1970s. Spede resumed filming small budget comedies with 1974s Viu-Hah-Hah-Taja, directed by Ere Kokkonen, Spede only appeared in a cameo and went uncredited as the films writer. In 1979, he released Koeputkiaikuinen ja Simon enkelit, his first colour feature since Pohjantähteet, the movie was a surprise hit and led to a sequel Tup Akka Lakko being released the following year
11.
Aladdin (1992 Disney film)
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Aladdin is a 1992 American animated musical fantasy film produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and released by Walt Disney Pictures. Aladdin is the 31st Disney animated feature film, and was part of the Disney film era known as the Disney Renaissance. The film was directed by John Musker and Ron Clements, and is based on the Arab-style folktale Aladdin, the voice cast features Scott Weinger, Robin Williams, Linda Larkin, Jonathan Freeman, Frank Welker, Gilbert Gottfried, and Douglas Seale. Lyricist Howard Ashman first pitched the idea, and the screenplay went through three drafts before then-Disney Studios president Jeffrey Katzenberg agreed to its production. The animators based their designs on the work of caricaturist Al Hirschfeld, the musical score was written by Alan Menken and features six songs with lyrics written by both Ashman and Tim Rice, who took over after Ashmans death. Aladdin was released on November 25,1992 and was the most successful film of 1992, earning over $217 million in revenue in the United States, the film also won many awards, most of them for its soundtrack. A peddler sets up shop in the sultanate of Agrabah. Jafar, the Grand Vizier of the Sultan, and his parrot Iago, Jafar identifies a street urchin named Aladdin as worthy. Aladdin and his pet monkey, Abu, cross paths with Princess Jasmine, Aladdin and Jasmine become friends and fall in love, but Jafar has Aladdin apprehended, tricking Jasmine into thinking that he has been decapitated. Disguised as an old man, Jafar frees Aladdin and Abu, taking them to the Cave, inside, Aladdin befriends a magic carpet. Abu greedily tries to steal a jewel, despite the Cave’s warning, trapped in the Cave, Aladdin rubs the lamp, releasing Genie, who was trapped inside. Genie explains that Aladdin has become his master and he will grant him three wishes, Aladdin tricks the Genie into freeing them from the Cave without utilizing a wish, and then uses his first to become a prince to be near Jasmine. Jafar, on Iago’s suggestion, plots to become Sultan by marrying Jasmine, Aladdin parades into the city as “Prince Ali of Ababwa. ”However, Jasmine is unimpressed with Aladdin’s bravado. Despite his friends advising him to tell Jasmine the truth, Aladdin refuses, believing she would never fall “for some street rat. ”He takes Jasmine on a flight on the magic carpet, where she deduces his identity, though Aladdin convinces her that he dresses as a peasant to escape the stresses of royal life. Aladdin returns Jasmine home, only to be attacked by the guards on Jafar’s orders and nearly drowned. Jafar tries to hypnotize the Sultan into agreeing to his marriage to Jasmine, only for Aladdin to appear, Jafar flees, but notices Aladdin has the lamp, realizing who he is. Learning he will become Sultan, Aladdin has second thoughts about freeing the Genie, believing that without him, Iago steals the lamp, and Jafar becomes the Genie’s new master. Jafar orders the Genie to brainwash Jasmine into falling in love with him, Jasmine feigns interest to distract Jafar and allow Aladdin to get the lamp, but he is cornered
12.
Mikko Niskanen
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Mikko Johannes Niskanen was a Finnish film director, actor, producer and screenwriter. He directed more than 45 films between 1956 and 1988 and his most acclaimed films include The Boys, Under Your Skin and Eight Deadly Shots. He won a number of six Jussi Awards for direction over his career. Mikko Niskanen was born in Äänekoski, Central Finland and he was the third of six children, and his father worked as a timber barge pilot. His mother too had a job outside the home, so the children spent summers with their grandmother in Viitasaari. At the age of 13, Mikko Niskanen started working in timber felling and floating, two years later he enrolled in a vocational school in Jyväskylä to become a car mechanic. He took a serious interest in theatre and was accepted to study at the Finnish Theatre Academy in Helsinki from 1947 until 1950. He then acted in Jyväskylä and Kuopio theatres until 1954 when he landed a job at the film studios of Suomen Filmiteollisuus in Helsinki. One of his first film roles was in Edvin Laines The Unknown Soldier, between 1958 and 1961 Niskanen studied at the Moscow Film School in the Soviet Union. Niskanens 1962 film The Boys was entered into the 3rd Moscow International Film Festival and he continued his directing career focusing on themes such as rural life and youth. His second breakthrough was Under Your Skin, a story of two young couples spending a weekend camping in the countryside, the film received six Jussi Awards and was followed by another story about young lovers, Asfalttilampaat. Niskanens tour de force as both actor and director was the television drama Eight Deadly Shots which was also released as a 145-minute theatrical version edited by Jörn Donner. Based on a story from late 1960s Finland, it is a naturalistic drama about a poor farmer struggling to make a living for his family. He gradually becomes a violent alcoholic who goes on killing spree when the police arrive to calm him down, besides directing, Niskanen gave a powerful and intense performance in the leading role. The film, like many of Niskanens works were shot on locations around his home north of Jyväskylä. Mikko Niskanen died of cancer at the age of 61, Mikko Niskanen at the Internet Movie Database
