Skönärit

Skönärit (Seafarers) is a collage movie written and directed by Milja Viita, based on footage shot by seamen. The material for the film consists of authentic footage shot between the 1960s and 1990s by seafarers, who made them available to the artist. The films depict hard work in demanding conditions, but also highlight the unique environment and sense of community offered by the seafaring profession. Many of the seamen who gave their films on loan sailed originally from Rauma.

The footage was collected in 2022–2023 in an extensive search operation initiated by Milja Viita and Lönnström Art Museum. Some of the footage comes from the archives of the Rauma Maritime Museum, and new footage donated by the seamen has been added to the museum’s collection. Viita then organised the material into approximately 12 hours of footage, from which the film was edited. The project involved extensive work in archives.

The script is based on the letters of Jalmar “Jallu” Yrjänen, a young man who set sail from Rauma in the early 1900s, as well as on ships’ diaries, telegrams, newspaper articles, and interviews with seafarers conducted by the artist. Jallu, the narrator of the film, travels around the globe, including northern and southern Africa, China, Arctic Canada, and South America. He finds his place in the close-knit community of sailors, until the adventure at sea turns unexpectedly into a tragedy. Jallu’s story touches on major issues related to cultural encounters, such as colonialism and globalisation. The film also reminds us of the fates of individuals, both those at sea and those remaining on the “homefront,” who had to accept the merciless power of the elements as well as the ever-present longing and concern.

Lönnström Art Museum arranged an open premiere of the film in Rauma Hall on Friday, 20 September 2024. At the fully-booked premiere, the work was projected on 35mm film. The screening was accompanied by a cello piece composed and performed by instrumentalist Juho Laitinen, and the Rauma Youth Band improvised tunes to fit the mood of the film under the direction of music teacher Kalle Kataja. A discussion moderated by film director and curator Mika Taanila was held after the screening, exploring the themes of the film.

Milja Viita (b. 1974) graduated with a Master of Fine Arts from the Department of Time and Space Arts at the Academy of Fine Arts in 2005. She won the prestigious Risto Jarva Award at the Tampere Film Festival in 2019 for her film Animal Bridge U-3033. She has been working on the current Lönnström Project since 2022. The working title of the project previously was Fata Morgana. Milja Viita lives and works in Porvoo.

Milja Viita: SKÖNÄRIT
2024 | 63 min | color | 35mm, stereo | DCP, 5.1 ääni | 1,37:1 | 24 fps

Original footage: John Konkola, Sakari Leino, Martti Mankonen, Yrjö Mankonen, Ari Mylly, Jukka Salokaarto and Milja Viita
Jallu’s voice: Aapo Salonen
Improvised wind music: Rauma Youth Band and Kalle Kataja
Score: Juho Laitinen
Recorded sounds from seas and ports around the world: Matleena Mäkelä, Matti Lahti and Jezreel Limpangog.
Foley artist: Miro Mantere
Sound design: Veli Granö
Colour grading: Pentti Keskimäki
Mentor for film lab work: Étienne Caire
Screening technology (35mm film projector): Axel Fransberg

In cooperation with

Film clip from Milja Viita’s SKÖNÄRIT

Film clip from Milja Viita’s SKÖNÄRIT

Film clip from Milja Viita’s SKÖNÄRIT