Doc Helios: 8000: An Art Odyssey

8000: An Art Odyssey tells the story of Anssi Heinonen – an Ars Fennica award-winning artist who does everything his own way, and preferably with his own hands.

The documentary follows the making of Anssi’s short film Le Saboteur and his efforts towards entering the competition for the Oscar for Best Short Film, as well as the preparation of Anssi’s biggest art exhibition to date at Kunsthalle Helsinki.

Anssi has also developed a skateboard toy for which he holds a patent. A prototype is being manufactured in Hong Kong, and Anssi is in talks with his American manager regarding its global sales.

Anssi takes the DIY approach to the extreme, as he creates all the sets and special effects for his films himself, crafts enormous sculptures on his home farm in Sahalahti, and mainly uses relatives and friends as actors and extras. “Because they’re free,” comments Anssi. The documentary follows Anssi over a period of several years and delves both into the personal relationships in his life and his work.

8000: An Art Odyssey is a heartwarming and humorous story about passion, creativity – and how doing things a bit wrong is sometimes the right thing to do.

Duration: 1 h 14 min
Language: Finnish
Age rating: suitable for all ages

Free entry