Source: Women Life style
Suvi Andrea Helminen, a Documentary Filmmaker
Suvi Andrea Helminen was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1976 to Finish and American parents. She started making films and television in 1997 and since then directed several documentaries and TV-programs. She did her education from The National Film School of Denmark, department of documentary and television, graduated in 2003. Along with that, she also works as teacher, lecturer, editor and photographer.
Q: Just tell us in one sentence, who is Suvi Andrea Helminen?
A: Rarified, elfish, explorer.
A: Rarified, elfish, explorer.
Q: Suvi, how do you select and decide about the topics you’ve to write on? What fuels the fire within you to keep going on and on?
A: I guess you mean topics to film? It depends on where life takes me. Encounters with people and places lead to new people and places. The topics are whatever sparks my interest in this entangled path. Curiosity, sometimes defiance...my work is my passion and deeply connected to my private sphere as well.
A: I guess you mean topics to film? It depends on where life takes me. Encounters with people and places lead to new people and places. The topics are whatever sparks my interest in this entangled path. Curiosity, sometimes defiance...my work is my passion and deeply connected to my private sphere as well.
Q: If you could sit on the shoulders of readers and reviewers, how would you tell them to regard your work?
A: I’d tell them to watch it with an open heart. The films are based on experiences and are emotionally driven. I would tell them to let themselves be seduced and that they shouldn’t expect to get answers that solve the problems of world.
A: I’d tell them to watch it with an open heart. The films are based on experiences and are emotionally driven. I would tell them to let themselves be seduced and that they shouldn’t expect to get answers that solve the problems of world.
Q: You have directed a number of documentaries and TV-programs, is it to acquaint the audience about the cultural aspects underlying the world or to bring the attention to human rights problem?
A: I guess it’s both. Actually I think it is the human aspects underlying the world that interest me. I think through looking at people, the small story, it is possible to reflect a greater and more universal story.
A: I guess it’s both. Actually I think it is the human aspects underlying the world that interest me. I think through looking at people, the small story, it is possible to reflect a greater and more universal story.
Q: You have been a teacher, lecturer, editor, photographer, and now a director, how would you describe your journey up till now?
A: Actually I started as a director and simultaneously learned photography and editing. It came naturally to continue working in several fields although my main focus area is directing. Teaching and lecturing came later on as I gained more experience and therefore had skills enough to teach others. As a documentary filmmaker, I need several different jobs to make enough money to live.
A: Actually I started as a director and simultaneously learned photography and editing. It came naturally to continue working in several fields although my main focus area is directing. Teaching and lecturing came later on as I gained more experience and therefore had skills enough to teach others. As a documentary filmmaker, I need several different jobs to make enough money to live.
Q: Amongst all your four documentaries, which one is your favorite and why?
A: I don’t have a favorite. Every time I make a new documentary I want to try something new. For example the film from 2006 ‘Love and Broken Glass’ was about the life of a teenage girl in Kyrgyzstan and my latest film ‘On the way to Paradise’ from 2007 is about an old Danish couple, their life and their love. I like them all in different ways.
A: I don’t have a favorite. Every time I make a new documentary I want to try something new. For example the film from 2006 ‘Love and Broken Glass’ was about the life of a teenage girl in Kyrgyzstan and my latest film ‘On the way to Paradise’ from 2007 is about an old Danish couple, their life and their love. I like them all in different ways.
Q: We would like you to share some interesting and weird experiences you encountered while directing any documentaries or TV-programs, if any?
A: Every process is a journey and therefore a great experience in one way or the other. Being allowed into someone’s life is a big gift. Last month I just came back from filming a documentary on an arctic expedition in the ice around the North Pole. The whole mental state of being there was weird and interesting. It almost like being in a desert. We were surrounded by ice in all directions and as soon as we had passed the ice edge there were hardly any life forms. There were only us, a group of about 60 people on an icebreaker at ‘the end of the world’. It was hazy most of the time, so the landscape and the sky would melt together in whiteness. The sun never went down, therefore nothing distinguished night from day. It was a truly beautiful and unique experience.
A: Every process is a journey and therefore a great experience in one way or the other. Being allowed into someone’s life is a big gift. Last month I just came back from filming a documentary on an arctic expedition in the ice around the North Pole. The whole mental state of being there was weird and interesting. It almost like being in a desert. We were surrounded by ice in all directions and as soon as we had passed the ice edge there were hardly any life forms. There were only us, a group of about 60 people on an icebreaker at ‘the end of the world’. It was hazy most of the time, so the landscape and the sky would melt together in whiteness. The sun never went down, therefore nothing distinguished night from day. It was a truly beautiful and unique experience.
Q: What are the forthcoming events you are looking forward to?
A: Doing more development on my film in progress ‘Skywatchers’ about unexplained light phenomena worldwide.
A: Doing more development on my film in progress ‘Skywatchers’ about unexplained light phenomena worldwide.
Q: Suvi, what are your other interests besides your work? How are you able to snatch out time for so many things? I would appreciate if you can share your working and lifestyle with us.
A: The two things often tend to melt together. Having a passion for your work it is hard to separate it from spare time. I am really trying though, so I also can maintain some kind of daily routine. My more worldly interests include spending time my boyfriend and friends.
A: The two things often tend to melt together. Having a passion for your work it is hard to separate it from spare time. I am really trying though, so I also can maintain some kind of daily routine. My more worldly interests include spending time my boyfriend and friends.
Q: Suvi, please share one thing that changed your life, if any?
A: Using a camcorder for the first time at the age of 21 changed my life. I came from a camcorderless family, so when I tried to make films for the first time it just came natural that it was what I should do.
A: Using a camcorder for the first time at the age of 21 changed my life. I came from a camcorderless family, so when I tried to make films for the first time it just came natural that it was what I should do.
Q: Where do you see yourself after five years? I mean any dreams or plans, for the coming future?
A: I take one day at a time. I’m not driven by overall goals, but by small personal ones. My dream is to keep on exploring and traveling and sharing this with people I care for. When I get older I hope to keep an open mind and being curious about thing.
A: I take one day at a time. I’m not driven by overall goals, but by small personal ones. My dream is to keep on exploring and traveling and sharing this with people I care for. When I get older I hope to keep an open mind and being curious about thing.
Q: Any parting words of wisdom, you’d like to give to our readers?
A: Try the spicy scallop sushi. I love it!
A: Try the spicy scallop sushi. I love it!
Q: Describe yourself in one word.
A: Owl-squirrel.
A: Owl-squirrel.
Q: If given a week’s holidays, how would you like to spend them?
A: Going on adventures with my boyfriend.
A: Going on adventures with my boyfriend.
Q: What is your greatest accomplishment (so far)?
A: Being alive - winning the race to the egg.
A: Being alive - winning the race to the egg.
Q: If given a chance, what would you like to change in the world?
A: Egoism, intolerance, over-consumption of resources and extreme materialism.
A: Egoism, intolerance, over-consumption of resources and extreme materialism.
