Helsinki, Forever

Peter von Bagh’s international break-through: a portrait of Finland’s capital made with material taken from all eras and sources, with newsreel footage finding a place as easily as scenes from feature films. Certain locales are contemplated throughout the years, if not always in chronological order – as every so often, Von Bagh’s montage follows an emotional logic that questions real historical developments. The Helsinki he creates is different from the slightly hilly city one can stroll through so pleasurably in summer – it’s a mythical place haunted by ghosts of ever-changing stories and buildings never seen. Von Bagh once casually said: ‘People think I like Helsinki because I made that film; they’re mistaken.’ Or maybe he’s just in denial, for something this beautiful is always made from some kind of love.

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