HELSINKI — The Viva Erotica Film Festival, which celebrates Finnish Independence, feminist Italian porn, “love potions” and more will start today and end this Sunday.
“In honor of Finnish independence, we’re taking a close look at the early days of Finnish erotic cinema,” a Viva Erotica Film Festival spokesperson said. “From the country’s first home-grown offering ‘Sauna’ (1947, Holger Harrivirta) and 'Väreitä' (1965, Ilmari Sarki) to Teuvo Tulio’s 1971 cult classic ‘Samisploitation’ melodrama.”
Joining the festival live and in person are Finland’s adult researcher Dr. Susanna Paasonen, presenting “Finlandia Fuck,” a lecture that looks at home-grown adult titles and the Finnish “psyche through the lens of national pride,” as well as Italian feminist director Monica Stambrini, presenting “Queen Kong” (2016), a short film.
Additionally, the festival will spotlight “love potions and sex magic,” including Italian erotica by Tinto Brass and Alberto Cavallone, 20th-century X-rated films by Dolly Kuhn of Munich’s Werkstatt Kino, Australian sex comedy “Alvin Purple” (1973, Tim Burstall), contemporary Japanese erotica with Hayami Kyoko and more.
For more information, visit VivaErotica.fi.