The Finnish Institute’s staff provide top tips for a lively November.
Jaakko’s pick: Raindance Film Festival
The great London indie film institution, Raindance Film Festival is back this year with its 28th edition and a hybrid programme that caters 11 days of online and physical screenings of the best new indie films and immersive experiences, as well as talks, panels and Q&As. Some films are showing at scheduled times, whilst others are available VOD for the duration of the festival. I especially delighted that Female Gaze series includes the Finnish feminist episode film Force of Habit.
28/10–7/11, https://cinema.raindance.org/film/force-of-habit/
Emilie’s pick: BBC Symphony Orchestra
There will be not one, but three Finns in the Barbican Hall on 6th of November. Maestro Sakari Oramo will conduct the brilliant BBC Symphony Orchestra and the repertoire includes the powerful Accused with soprano Anu Komsi, now arranged for chamber orchestra by composer Magnus Lindberg. I heard the piece performed by the same conductor/soloist pair in Stockholm last year, and therefore I dear to promise this too will be a striking evening. Anyone can partake online and some even in the hall!
6/11, 8 pm, Barbican Hall, https://www.barbican.org.uk/whats-on/2020/event/bbc-symphony-orchestraoramo-live-from-the-barbican
Sara’s pick: Abney Park in Stoke Newington
There’s something cosy about packing a thermos with a hot drink and taking a long walk in nature. Next to the busy Stoke Newington High Street, you can find tranquility and fresh air in Abney Park. I visited the park earlier in August when it was still very green and would like to visit it again now when the leaves on the trees have turned red and yellow. In the center of the park, there’s a gothic chapel designed by architect William Hosking, who had a great impact on the development of London city planning during the 19th century. A perfect destination for a weekend stroll!
Stoke Newington Church St, London, N16 1AU https://abneypark.org/
Volter’s pick: In Short, Europe ESCAPE
In Short, Europe ESCAPE is an online film festival organised by EUNIC London that showcases the diverse world of European short-form cinema. I can’t wait to get acquainted with this previously unfamiliar world. Read our interview with participating filmmaker Ami Lindholm here.
In Short, Europe ESCAPE, 28/10–4/11, http://europe.org.uk/event/in-short-europe-escape/
Ninni’s choice: Feminist Democratic Representation book launch
I know this is rather nerdy, but I’m pretty excited about finally getting to read the results of a European Research Council funded project. Professor Johanna Kantola (a former board member of the Finnish Institute) and her team have spent five years analysing the gendered policies and practices of European Parliament’s party groups. I can’t wait to hear about their findings at the online launch and read the book.
Friday 13/11, 4 pm GMT, https://www.facebook.com/events/2833007263642015
Annika’s pick: AGM 2020 by Somerset House
Coming up on this year’s AGM: an evening of live broadcasted performances, collaborations, DJ sets and premieres of five multidisciplinary commissions with the themes of importance of generosity and collaboration in these socially distanced time. AGM is an annual celebration of Somerset House Studios’ resident artist community, this year taken into virtual form. I’m looking forward to Aida Amoako’s interesting piece of visual storytelling which focuses on language and its limitations, the worry of being misunderstood. Tune in on 12th November for live experience, or save it for later!
AGM 2020, 12/11, 17-23, free event, https://www.somersethouse.org.uk/whats-on/agm-2020
Image: Tuffi Films 2019
