The Design in Helsinki film history series begins

The "More about functionalism, Reino!" – design in Helsinki films is a joint WDC Helsinki 2012 project between Helsinki City Museum and the National Audiovisual Archive KAVA, explaining about the staging of films and film costume design as well as the urban culture in Finnish films from the 1930s to 1960s.

For example, the Töölö neighbourhood, shining brightly in its modern functionalistic design, and Stockmann, leading the way as the largest Nordic department store and a modern business palace, have been utilised as film sets. The plot in the film Vuokrasulhanen (’a rented bridegroom’) focuses on the twists and turns of an interior designer's life, at the same time displaying home textile and furniture fashions of the era.

The first film in the series, Mieheke (‘a fake husband’), will be shown at the Orion theatre on 11 January at 17.00, and the series will continue each Wednesday until 18 April. Tickets (€5.50/4,50/2.00) can be purchased on the KAVA website, www.kava.fi.

The exhibition “More about functionalism, Reino!” – design in Helsinki films designed by Minna Santakari in conjunction with the film series will be displayed at the  Helsinki City Museum, Sofiankatu 4, from 15 February 2012 to 13 January 2013. The exhibition will serve as a wide-ranging introduction to the visual world of the 1930s to 1960s Finnish urban films – as well as the staging of films and costume design of the era.