Well, I was about to clean the snoozepuffs out of my room, but I had such a cool evening, that I should put it into words as soon as possible. It began at Doc Lounge (go figure), where "Planet of Snail" was supposed to be screened. The DVD didn't arrive on time, so the staff scrambled to find another documentary, make the change on Facebook, and print out new posters and fliers. I arrived at the end of the scramble, tended my usual ticket desk, and waited for people to show. This time, there were only about 10 attendees. I still remember the Conan O'Brian doc, which attracted over 70 people.
Bavarian-born Mimi Chakarova directed "The Price of Sex," a critical and investigative documentary on Eastern European women being trafficked into the sex trade. I was impressed by the investigative and personal nature, as well as the good flow of the film, but it felt a bit soft and unexceptional.
After the documentary, I ordered a Cafe Latte at the bar. A very familiar looking woman showed up at the counter, and I asked if she worked for Niagara, the independent art cinema that runs Doc Lounge Tampere. She turned out to be the chairwoman for the Monroe film club and member of the board of directors for Tampere Film Festival. She added that she had attended the Finnish documentary seminar last semester. That's when her face registered! After all, the seminar lasted all day on a Friday.
Liina and I ended up talking about documentaries, the film industry in Finland, and the translation profession. I loved hearing from someone who was deeply involved in film distribution and festivals, and who would regularly bring up film titles and relevant professionals' names. Liina is in her 15th year at the university, and about to write her master's thesis. (If I understood correctly, it will focus on the evolution of the Pirkanmma Film Center.)
I wasn't sure what my friends were doing, and Liina's friends didn't end up showing, so we decided to go to Amadeus music bar. The environment was fit for metal-enthusiasts, yet quite comfortable and homely in general. We sat down in big chairs next to the window. Liina told me about her experience volunteering at the Midnight Sun festival, held in a cozy town in Lapland every summer. I thought about how volunteering has allowed me to appreciate and connect with my experience at Doc Lounge. I feel less like a consumer, and more like a part of the whole thing.
I also wondered if, after meeting many directors and professionals, Liina grew disenchanted with the industry. This is an itching question for me, since I am conscious of often being overly enthusiastic and idealistic. I guess film has always been a hobby for Liina, and that she continues to meet passionate, dedicated people in the field. I also learned about the other side of the coin: the complications in translation and distribution, and overuse of alcohol at festivals.
After two hours, Liina was on her way to Doris, an alternative club she started going to when she was 18 (she's now 35), and I thought I'd stop by at Kuuba, a club that several friends spoke about going to. Tuesdays and Sundays nights are great because of the discounts. Liina invited me to her house party on Saturday, which is so exciting because I've never been to/been invited to a Finnish person's house before!
I got to Kuuba, and was met with a sign that said 3 euro entrance fee. I begged the bouncer to hold the charge and let me in for a few minutes to see if my friends were there. He reluctantly agreed, and I smiled and slid right in. I walked around, and saw nobody I knew. Just crowds of people who barely looked fresh out of high school. I quickly bounced out of there.
It was a long walk home, but I didn't quite mind it. The temperature is warming up a bit, and I was bundled up. I jogged half of the way home. The streets were quiet and empty.
Some things I thought about on the way home...:
Every wall can be passed.
After a period comes a space (usually).
Our fear of loneliness is masked by the longing for someone to love and depend on.
Open up, and you will feel more light and free, with the risk of vulnerability and falling prey of other conventions and orthodoxies.
Do the buildings feel what you say?
What are the advantages of talking to yourself?
Tampere feels like home.
OK, time for sleep.
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