Henna välkky & samuel häkkinen DIRECTING DUO
Two directors = Better or worse?
Henna Välkky and Samuel Häkkinen are a Helsinki based writer-director duo with a forte in dark cinematic and stylized narratives where they play with experimental visuals. Over the past ten years, they have directed a multitude of short films, music videos and commercials while developing a taste for absurd comedy and thriller genres.
Together they form the perfect team: Creatively pushing each other to the limits and broadening each others perspectives. Two sets of eyes and brains allow one to focus on the actors and the other purely on the visuals. The process between them flows like a continuous brainstorm from concepting all the way to the finishing touches on the edit they like to do themselves.
Their films have been showcased in over 50 international film festivals around the globe including acclaimed Tribeca, Nordisk Panorama, Cinequest, Tampere and Atlanta. Their music videos for many high profile Finnish & international acts now count millions of views online, and the duo receives praise from clients like Nissan, F-Secure, Universal Music and Warner Music for their impeccable and positive work on set.
showreel
Filmography Fiction
PARADISE AWAITS
(Premiere 2023)
Paratiisi Odottaa - Short Fiction
The suitcase is packed and patiently awaits a holiday in paradise. A woman trying to leave experiences an unraveling spurt through her house to make sure she can be at peace on her trip.
Written & Directed by Henna Välkky & Samuel Häkkinen
SAFI's UNIVERSUM
(2020-21)
Safin Universumi - Short Series
A comedy series about the rise and fall of a self-help guru.
Written & Directed by Henna Välkky & Samuel Häkkinen
Verdict 30.001:
The Cookies
(2020)
Päätös n:o 30001 - Short Fiction
The average adult makes around 35 000 remotely conscious decisions each day. Each decision carries certain consequences - both good and bad. Even if it’s just about a box of cookies.
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Notable festival selections:
Cinequest, USA
Beverly Hills Film Festival, USA
Florida Film Festival, USA
Tampere International Film Festival, Finland (Special Mention, Youth Jury)
Nordische Filmtage Lübeck, Germany
Fancine, Spain
Sapporo International Film Festival & Market, Japan
Leuven International Short Film Festival, Belgium
Izmir Short Film Festival, Turkey
Written & Directed by Henna Välkky & Samuel Häkkinen
R&A Shorts:
Cut to the Chase
(2019)
Commerical
It was a great honor to work with the prestigious festival that has nurtured our creative thirsts for years.
Client: Helsinki International Film Festival
Concept + Directed + Produced by Henna Välkky & Samuel Häkkinen
We Are in a Dream (2018)
Me olemme unessa - Animated Documentary Short
There is a line of men chasing us through a city where we can’t run. The escape is grueling, our feet are wet and we drown deeper. We are not afraid, we have seen this before. This film is based on personal recordings of people narrating their own recurring dreams.
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Notable festival selections:
Prague Independet Film Festival, Czech Republic (Best Experimental Film)
Atlanta Film Festival, USA
Tampere International Film Festival, Finland
Tehran International Film Festival, Iran
Written & Directed by Henna Välkky & Eesu Lehtola
Filmography
Music Videos
ERIKA SIROLA:
All in my head
(2022)
Music Video (Alternative version)
Someone is following.
Written & Directed by Henna Välkky & Samuel Häkkinen
Kasper:
Taas Tuntemaan
(2019)
Music Video
The lyrics are about songs never written, so that birthed the idea of scenes from films that will never be made. These characters of non existing films gather for a secret meeting from their authors.
Written & Directed by Samuel Häkkinen
SMOC:
MAGIC
(2019)
Music Video
There is an old saying in the film business: never work with children or animals. Well, we don’t see the problem.
Written & Directed by Henna Välkky
OLPEKKALEV
Music Videos
These companion pieces were shot during our travels over several years and continents - in the videos are glimpses from Italy, Morocco, USA, Russia, Japan, Mongolia, West Sahara and China.
Written & Directed by Henna Välkky & Samuel Häkkinen