work in progress… (but ps. there’s IG site for even more)
minä sanoin, sinä sanoit (he said, she said) — 15min short film (noi films, 2025)
He said, she said — is a 15min short film shot during the summer of 2024 in Helsinki. The story tells the story of its two narrators Alvar (Nicola Perot) and Maria (Nika Savolainen) from their subjective perspectives. In other roles Pyry Kähkönen, Dani Hänninen and an artist called Leeko/Surrealiisa.
He Said, She Said is a story about the challenge of understanding and interpreting another person. Narrated through the perspectives of two distinct personalities, it reveals the motives behind one's actions, which the other party fails to notice or understand. This film aims to remind us that without comprehending and knowing the motives of others, we are doomed to make incomplete and often very erroneous interpretations of people.
The story draws inspiration from the series Normal People, based on the book by Sally Rooney, J. Trier's Oslo Trilogy film The Worst Person in the World (2021), Milan Kundera's book The Unbearable Lightness of Being (1984), and Sam Levinson's film Malcolm & Marie (2021). He Said, She Said aspires to be a lifelike, credible, dialogue-heavy drama that borrows the light production style of the Oslo Trilogy and seeks to capture the existing zeitgeist.
The film boldly aims to be part of the broader European contemporary depiction, telling a story of our time, set against the backdrop of summer in Helsinki.
Screenshot of Pyry Kähkönen from HE SAID, SHE SAID
In addition to its romantic and relatable story, He Said, She Said seeks to highlight the issue of an increasingly polarized world. We read about this in July during the French elections. As extremes on different political spectrums gain prominence, the fragmentation of genres demands an active understanding of our fellow human beings. Instead of focusing on the extremes, the series aims to remind us, through a romantic narrative, how overlooking another’s motives affects our interpretations.
I strongly believe that He Said, She Said can combine both individual relatability and a broader thematic message in a way that resonates with the viewer.
At its core, He Said, She Said is a story about the difficulty of mutual understanding. This strongly character-driven drama acknowledges the resources available and invests in what is central and most interesting to the story: characters who feel life and uncertainty. Through this, it reflects human prejudices, the challenges between social classes, and the need for human beings to be understood.
This drama touches the viewer and leaves a lasting impression, providing a space for people to reflect on their past and future encounters.
Screenshot of Dani Hänninen & Leeko from HE SAID, SHE SAID.
crew list:
MARIA Nika Savolainen, ALVAR Nicola Perot, JANI Pyry Kähkönen, HEIDI, Leeko, DANI Dani Hänninen. TWO guys at the restaurant Timo Utterström, xx PRODUCERS Ilkka Peltola&Kaapo Kamu, AS DIRECTING Mete Sasioglu/Maria Rannanheimo, CAMERA Mikko Levoska, 1st AC Jori Grönroos/ Saku Soukka, LIGHTS Otto Helkama, GAFFER Gugge Wasenius, SOUND Verneri Kankaanpää, MUA Noora Riiti-Joki, HAIR Jonna, SET DESINGER Mapi Virtanen/Nina Luostarinen, EDIT Sebastian Barner-Rasmussen, GRADE Yellowhousepost, MUSIC Ilkka Peltola/Surrealiisa, ALL AROUND HELP Evelin Kask, Laura Pulli, DIRECTING Kaapo Kamu, PRODUCTION Noi Films.
this list will be updated … EXTRAS Jutta Ruonansuu, Ella-veera Brjök, Iikka Airas, Alina Peruna, Nina night eyes, Ella Miranda, Jari Miranda,
Sponsors: GUGGE WASENIUS, WELLAMO, SAUMA, PUTTES-PIZZA, MIKROFONIKAUPPA.