The documentary film by Jouko Aaltonen tells the story of two Turkus, the one from the past and the modern one. What was Turku like before the old city was torn down and modernisation completely changed the cityscape? How are today’s young people attempting to take control over city property by occupying buildings?
Battle over Turku is at the same time a historical documentary about the phenomenon aptly named the “Turku disease” (referring to the desire to tear down the old and replace it with the modern), a film that awakens the sentimental spirit of the old Turku and a topical social/political standpoint.
Discussion and debate concerning the environment, our surroundings and public influence is more topical now than ever. Battle over Turku is an ambitious documentary predominantly about Turku, while at the same time addressing broader themes of national importance.
Battle over Turku reflects post-war European urban architecture. As with Turku, European architecture was characterised by modern ideas that demolished a lot of what remained after the war. The environmental movement, local conservation and the squatter movement, which are discussed in the documentary, have their roots and ideals in the European tradition. This gives the documentary a pan-European angle, extending beyond Turku, Finland and Scandinavia.
Jouko Aaltonen is a Finnish documentary director, producer and scriptwriter. Aaltonen has directed more than 20 documentaries and completed his Doctor of Arts degree at the Helsinki School of Art and Design (Motion Picture, Television and Production Design degree programme) in 2006.
The documentary is being produced by Illume Oy.
9 April: Premiere, the Finnish Film Festival in Turku
www.suomalaisenelokuvanfestivaali.fi
10 April at 6 pm at the Finnish Film Festival,
Auditorium/Puutarhakatu 1
Get your free ticket on 7–10 April from 2011 Corner or the Finnish Film Festival
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