12 (2020)

A story of an old man and his silent journey through the Eastern Europe.
The film begins with a long night scene from the highway. It is winter although the snow is missing. White van approaches and slows down at the bus stop. The man with the red hat and a blue jacket comes out and starts to stretch himself. Atmosphere is silent and slow.
In the following pictures the man drives his car and dives deep into the night. Blinking lights of the passing cars and unknown cities. The windshield wiper together with the old Christian hymn takes the man back to the past decades. The hymn is like a prayer and it creates warmth and safety for the road which seem to be otherwise long and lonely.
In the morning a man wakes up from his car and walks across the parking lot to the gas station's toilet to brush his teeth. After washing himself he uses his hat as a towel before stepping back into the car and continuing his silent journey in a grey and endless looking landscape.
As the journey goes on the man falls in his memories and thoughts. Flashbacks from the past are suggesting that he has been driving these same roads before. Time and space are extended and only the journey feels real.
Slowly the landscape starts to change. Sun is rising and high mountains on the horizon start to shine. The man arrives in the Alps, washes his face with pure white snow. He has reached his destination.
In the next image the old man stretches himself on the floor of the changing room. Then he wears the helmet and puts the competition number 12 on. With skis on his shoulder he starts to climb up the hill from the elevator to another and purposely continues on foot all the way up to the highest tower.
He concentrates and looks a little bit worried but places goggles on and checks his ski bindings. When the green light is given he releases his grip from the boom and starts the inrun. The goal is reached but the mystery will remain.
12 is an atmospheric film without a dialog. Be it a portrait, road movie, prayer or something else the viewer has to decide. Rather than focusing on actual events it tries to illustrate and to reflect the inner journey of the man. Something that is difficult to put in words.
12 is also a filmic study on one of the most famous and traditional winter sports in Finland in contemporary and contemplative context. It is a joyful celebration of moving image and sound in ever changing time and space.

Keywords: ski jumps | car journey | faith | silence | vana sportlane | View all »