Simo Holopainen, text and picture
Anna Shepherd, translation
Inka Söderström and Hanna Lehti are in the grout which made the film Linja (Line).
Are young people unpolitical and without opinions? No, not at least if you take a look at films made for the Reel Time series about consumption and its influence.
Pupils from Tammerkoski School in Tampere have made short animated films criticizing unnecessary consumption and the globalisation of production.
Digitally filmed animation is a suitable format for this theme. Big sets are not needed, filming equipment can be transported in a backpack, and paper figures can be made out of recycled paper. According to the original plan, the short films were supposed to be even more environmentally friendly.
- Originally we planned to recycle rubbish and use it as material for making animation figures, says Heli Schultz, the teacher.
The young filmmakers are excited about the project. The script and the figures have been carefully planned and worked on since last autumn. The animations were filmed in January. The young people found making the film rewarding, but the best part was seeing the result of their work on screen at Niagara cinema.
- Consumption is a topical theme, and one that is familiar to myself. I hope that the animation strikes a chord with young people, says Meeri Mäkimaa, one of the filmmakers.
The animation film Hole in One is about the effects of the tobacco industry. Linja (Line) is a statement against excessive consumption.
Heli Schultz says that shooting an animation picture by picture is demanding. She thinks the final result is visually a success, and the content is outspoken.
Updated 10 March 2007 18:33
