Animal Image is a soundtrack album to a poetic documentary about the infinite relationship between man and animal. Edited to an improvised score by Finnish trumpet Verneri Pohjola and percussionist Mika Kallio, the film illustrates the emotional bond between man and animal beyond the boundaries of written language or fictional storylines.
The movie depicts nature-photographer and writer Heikki Willamo’s journey to the landscape of the post ice-age northern wilderness to explore man’s ancient relationship to his prey and Willamo’s personal encounters with the inhabitants of the northern woods. Man, bear, sky and fire: the Finnish forest is a place like nowhere else, a place of dreams and the imagination, an ancient place where its denizens live in the shadows.
Becoming an animal by Perttu Saksa
Animal Image is a poetic documentary film built around original music by Verneri Pohjola and Mika Kallio. The movie depicts an imagined view of man’s ancient relationship with animals. The music accompanies you, creating an emotional language between man and animal – unconstrained by the boundaries of written communication or fictional anthropomorphic narratives.
The music is an invitation towards becoming an animal. To unthink identity and subjectivity. Listen. Free from definition, from body to flesh, where the one is a figure of unity and strength, while the other is in an interminable manifestation of disarticulation, a condition of freedom for animals or whatever it is we are.
Becoming an animal is where the human and the animal enter into a functional alliance. Musical improvisation is dialogue without speech, built around the similar framework – including rules and forms – we use in spoken conversation or social structures. Listen. Lose the language. Listen and feel. Then imagine a language. Imagine a form of life. Perttu Saksa
Animal Image by Verneri Pohjola
When I saw the breathtakingly expressive footage for the first time, I immediately recognized this as something too inspiring to retract myself from. And as the project developed I realized, that probably no other project or person has ever treated my music with such a respect and vision. It was lifted up to the next level.
I’m incredibly proud of this project and I hope that you, the listener, take Perttu’s advice and surrender yourself to the world of becoming (an image of) an animal through this music.
ABOUT THE MOUKA FILMS
The documentary is produced by Mouka Films. Founded in 2006 Mouka Films productions share a warm human touch, unique artistic vision and excellent quality. Mouka Filmi produces award winning documentary films for television and cinema audiences in Finland and internationally.
Perttu Saksa (b. 1977) is a visual artist based in Helsinki, Finland. Perttu’s photography and video works have been exhibited in various galleries and museums around Europe, including Stadtgalerie Kiel, Felleshus Berlin and Finnish Museum of Photography and Helsinki City Art Museum. His works can also be found in various public collections.
Animal Image (2017)
16:9, Full HD, 28min, BW, 5.1 Sound
Film by Perttu Saksa
Music by: Verneri Pohjola and Mika Kallio
CD Track-listing
1. Where Do You Feel at Home 7.08
2. Outside 8.07
3. Foxplay 4.28
4. Man, Animal Image 7.49
5. Goshawk’s Dream 4.03
6. Animal Image 7.00
LP Track-listing
Side A:
1. Where Do You Feel at Home 7.08
2. Outside 8.07
3. Foxplay 4.28
Side B:
4. Man, Animal Image 7.49
5. Goshawk’s Dream 4.03
6. Animal Image 7.00
GIGS
03 March 2018 – Tampere, Finland
03 March 2018 – Validi Karkia klubi Pori, Finland
06 March 2018 – Taidetalo Loimaa, Finland
07 March 2018 – Wille Äänekoski, Finland
08 March 2018 – Kinokulma Oulainen, Finland
09 March 2018 – Ravintola Alma Seinäjoki, Finland
10 March 2018 – Logomo, Teatterisali Turku, Finland
11 March 2018 – Nordens Institut på Åland Mariehamn, Finland
13 March 2018 – Turun Seudun Musiikkiopisto Turku, Finland
16 March 2018 – Kuopio, Finland
17 March 2018 – Pakkahuone Joensuu, Finland
18 March 2018 – Pato Klubi Kuusankoski, Finland
20 March 2018 – Malmitalo Helsinki, Finland
CREDITS
Produced by Perttu Saksa and Verneri Pohjola
Recorded at Finnvox Studios by Risto Hemmi
Mixed by Mikko Raita at Studio Kekkonen
Verneri Pohjola plays Van Laar Trumpets and Wedge Mouthpieces
Mika Kallio plays PAISTE Cymbals, Sounds & Gongs.
Verneri and Mika would like to thank:
Perttu Saksa, Risto Hemmi, Mikko Raita, Dave Stapleton, Mouka Filmi, MES, TAIKE, Custom Boards, families in Helsinki and Kuusankoski
Photography by Perttu Saksa
