Finnish Director Lauri-Matti Parppei Moves From Cannes ACID to Cannes Main Stage With New Film

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The Finnish film director, Lauri-Matti Parppei, is set to release “Alone With the Moon” after his Cannes ACID titled film “A Light That Never Goes Out“. This upcoming project is a heartfelt, magical realist drama that follows a young character’s growth.

“With some horror elements,” they added. 

In the year 2001, I stumbled upon an unusual, gender-ambiguous adolescent at a remote Finnish farmhouse. Warmly welcomed by the teenage daughter of the family, who was grappling with her own suicidal thoughts, we formed an emotionally profound bond. However, there’s a chilling suspicion that this visitor may not be entirely human.

At the age of fifteen, Parppei felt like the most solitary individual on earth. He yearned for a companion – a person or perhaps something else – to transform his existence. He envisioned ourselves no longer feeling isolated together.

Recently, I was in a small town where I was struggling to find even a morsel of edible moldy bread due to my reluctance to leave my apartment. Now, I’ve found myself immersed in the affluent realm of filmmaking, but I continue to feel like an outsider. This narrative explores themes such as depression, loneliness, friendship, and gender, some of which are also touched upon in ‘A Light That Never Goes Out’.

The first film they’ve produced, labeled as an “uplifting movie on depression,” narrates the story of Pauli, a renowned flautist, who returns home after experiencing a breakdown. However, his old friend Iiris discourages him from dwelling in his sorrow. Instead, she encourages him to join her unconventional musical group, which might be more appropriately called a “militant noise ensemble.

This film was created by Mikko Parttimaa and stars Samuel Kujala, Anna Rosaliina Kauno, Camille Auer, and Kaisa-Leena Koskenkorva. The production company responsible is Made, with Goodtime Pictures of Norway serving as a co-producer. Patra Spanou Film manages the sales for this production.

In simpler terms, Parppei explained that they’re not making light of depression, but rather trying to discover humorous aspects derived from this deeply human condition. He noted that even at our lowest points, there can be moments of unexpected humor.

They shared that they often performed with their friends and put out multiple albums. These releases didn’t exactly top the charts, however — quite the opposite, as there were usually more musicians on stage than spectators. Remarkably, every sound you hear in the movie was played live, right in front of the camera. While you might not be fond of the songs themselves, watching them perform showcases the joy they find in it and the variety of unique sounds that can be produced using basic, affordable equipment.

Including a blender. 

If the actors hadn’t genuinely embraced the music element, it might have been awkward or off-putting. However, it was still incredibly moving, and we were fortunate to find individuals who didn’t find it odd or contrived. Many meaningful connections have developed from these unconventional artistic endeavors for me. This project is my heartfelt ode to the experience of being in a band.

Ilona Tolmunen, working with Helsinki-based Made (who will also handle “Alone With the Moon”), expressed her agreement: “The story resonated with me. Although I’m not a musician, I spent my teenage years in a small village dealing with depression. I’ve collaborated with Lauri-Matti on short films and a TV series before, and I can see that he is incredibly gifted. They create art uniquely, yet it’s easily understood by others. This aligns with my personal philosophy.

While “not exactly autobiographical,” it’s a personal film for Parppei. 

In this production, some individuals portray themselves and the principal characters are loosely modeled on my friends, including myself at various stages of my life. My friend was instrumental in our music recording process, and he commented, ‘Although these events didn’t transpire, I still recall them.’ Hearing that touched me deeply. I aimed to represent a particular emotion rather than exploiting or recreating our memories.

Additionally, we’ll entertain some unconventional concepts, such as a “flashing canine” suffering from a skin condition that causes it to appear luminescent.

This element was deeply ingrained in our world. In moments when you’re grappling with depression, your perspective can shift. It might seem like a tale confined to this place, but I’ve been astonished by its effectiveness. Could it be that we’ve tapped into a universal feeling of being an outcast?” They pondered.

It’s quite ironic, crafting a film that values neither success nor fame, and challenges the status quo, all while asking for financial backing from the very establishment we’re challenging. Now, we’re bound for Cannes, an unexpected turn of events from creating grassroots art with friends in our humble hometown.

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2025-05-13 23:26