I am Janne Puustinen, an actor and theatre maker (BA, Performing Arts, Helsinki Metropolia UAS 2013) living in Helsinki, Finland. I have also studied Theatre Research at the University of Helsinki.
In 2019, I was awarded Best Male Actor at the Nordic International Film Festival in New York and also nominated for Best Actor at the Finnish Film Awards. My most notable role in film or TV has been the lead character in ’A Moment in the Reeds’ (Wild Beast Productions 2017), one of the first queer films ever made in Finland.
In theatre, the main branches of my artistic practice are site-specificity and community connections. I have directed performances that focus on a specific, unusual location or a community-based perspective and working methods, for example, for Kuopio City Theatre and Helsinki City Theatre.
My contact form can be found here.
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FOR BOYS (2024)
For Boys, a new feature film from the makers of Screwed (2017) and Piano Lesson (2023), has completed post-production in February 2024. For Boys is the second queer-themed feature film produced by Ten Thousand Hearts and directed by Nils-Erik Ekblom. The filming took place in a tower block in Kalasatama, Helsinki.
Tackling erotic taboos and spirituality, For Boys tells the story of a dying photographer forced to confront his vanity, as a deceived young man unexpectedly shows affection towards him, challenging societal norms of age and desire.
Mikael (Mika Melender), facing his final days, craves validation and uses a false online identity to lure young men to his apartment, concealing his scarred face. When Paul (Janne Puustinen) arrives and expresses genuine affection, Mikael’s world of superficial connections is upended.
Caught in a nationwide lockdown, Mikael and Paul’s unexpected bond becomes a catalyst for surreal exploration of desires and vulnerabilities. As each day seamlessly blend together, Mikael and Paul journey through dreams and desires towards anguish and redemption.
The story of the film was created over six months by an artistic team formed by director and writer Nils-Erik Ekblom (Screwed 2017), actor Mika Melender (The Vitality 2017, A Moment In The Reeds 2017), actor Janne Puustinen (A Moment In The Reeds 2017), director of photography Marko Elovaara and scenographer and sound recorder Harri Järvinen. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, all planning and rehearsals were done by using remote tools.
For Boys will premiere at Helsinki International Film Festival on Friday 27th September 2024. Nationwide screenings in Finland will start on 18th October. More information on Ten Thousand Heart’s website.
A MOMENT IN THE REEDS (2017)
In the summer of 2016 I worked as a lead actor in a feature film produced by Wild Beast Productions (UK). A Moment in the Reeds, written and directed by London-based filmmaker Mikko Makela and co-starring Boodi Kabbani and Mika Melender, received its World Premiere at the 61st BFI London Film Festival on October 6th, 2017.
After the London premiere, A Moment in the Reeds has been screened at over 40 festivals in over 20 countries, including the 41st Gothenburg Film Festival (Sweden) and the 44th Annual Seattle International Film Festival (US). The film is now abailable on DVD, Blu-ray and On-Demand streaming services around the world. For more information here.
”One of the most impressive aspects of “Moment” is how utterly convincing the leads are in persuading us of their characters’ shared ardor in less overtly sexual moments. If these actors are faking that affection, they’re doing a pretty amazing job. – – The small cast is expert.” (Dennis Harvey, Variety)
Reviews:
Review by Dennis Harvey in Variety.
Review by Nicolas Raffin in Cineuropa.
Review by Emma Vestrheim in Cinema Scandinavia.
Review by Birchenough in The Arts Desk.
Review by Lee Jutton in Film Inquiry.
Review by Rich Cline in Shadows on the Wall.
Review by Christopher Zumski Finke in The Stake.
Review by Eric Langberg in Medium.
Review by Pip Ellwood-Hughes in Entertainment Focus.
Review by David-Elijah Nahmod in In Magazine.
Review by Alistair Ryder in Gay Essential.
Review by Roger Walker-Dack in Edge Media Network.
Review by Jennie Kermode in Eye for Film.
Review by Ifan Llevelyn in QX International.
Review by Joe Lipsett in Queer. Horror. Movies.
Review by Gaspard Granaud in Pop and Films (in French).
Review by Bruno Deruisseau in Les Inrockuptibles (in French).
Review by Nicolas Pardot in Le Polyester (in French).
Review by Alexander Dunerfors in Moviezine (in Swedish).
Review by Axel Schock in Sissy Mag (in German).
Review by Albert Novicki in Filmawka (in Polish).
Janne Puustinen 