For the first time, the Jussi awards for domestic films will be awarded regardless of gender. One of the new series reminds me of the Smiling Statues institution, writes cultural journalist Jonni Aromaa.
The best Actors in domestic cinema will be awarded at the event for the first time regardless of gender. At the same time, a tradition that has continued for almost 80 years will be broken.
The first male and female Jussi were distributed in the restaurant Adlon in Helsinki in 1944.
In the film industry event held in the evening at Helsinki Cable Factory, last year’s best domestic films and their creators are awarded, and even last year women and men were awarded as actors in their own series. However, time has passed the dichotomous gender thinking.
Yle asked film industry professionals more than two years ago about the meaning of the male and female categories. At that time, the majority of those who responded to the survey were ready to give up the division.
Now was the time for a change.
Another of the new series, on the other hand, raises questions, and the name of the series already gives the feeling that the evening has ended in the middle of the planning meeting for the new Jussi awards.
An association called Filmiaura distributes the Jussi awards, which are voted on by the association’s members. The film industry association has more than 500 members, and I am one of them.
There is a fierce competition for the main prizes.
By the way, Haapasalo’s *Tytöt tyots tyots* is the first Finnish feature film that made it to the competition series of the American Sundance festival last year. Bergholm’s horror film *Pahanhautaja* also received positive attention in the United States.
It’s going to be an exciting evening.
*Yle’s live broadcast from the red carpet of the Jussi gala from 4:15 p.m. Jonni Aromaa hosts.*