Päivi Kristiina ”Kiti” Luostarinen

Born 1951
Lives in Luhanka

Kiti Luostarinen is an acclaimed and experienced director of documentary films. The hallmark of her films is a strong personal touch, and in many of them the director herself is heard and seen. The subject is always close to her heart, and is often found in her own environment. For example, Kuoleman kasvot [Face of the Death] was filmed in the terminal care ward. The film has its origins in the death of her mother, and subsequent questions of mortality. Personal experience is reflected in her movies, helping to portrait an intimate and approachable picture of the subject.

One might characterize the films of Luostarinen as the life-size thesis of humanity. Her movies deal with big themes on human scale. This prize-winning director has given the familiar face to death, love and femininity. Kiti Luostarinen approaches her themes and people with respect. No wonder that her work radiates human warmth. The whole spectrum of life with its beauties and horrors is found in her work, as well as an affectionate humor. The humanity of Luostarinen’s documentaries could be summarized in the line from Kuoleman kasvot: ”One finds shelter only in a fellow human being.”

With her pioneering work Kiti Luostarinen has also reformed narrative styles of the Finnish documentary, and by tackling taboos she has made daring journeys of exploration into difficult subject matter. Regardless of the challenging themes her movies exude hope and confidence. Palnan tyttäret [Daughters of Palna] from 2007 is a prime example of positive attitude and narrative bubbling over with the joy of life. The main character is Devi, a six-year old girl adopted from India, who waits for her little sister in an Indian orphanage. People in all ages are touched by this beautiful and warm story that deals with adoption, family and identity.

Luostarinen has received many awards, including the Aho & Soldan prize for life’s work given to her at the DocPoint-festival 2010.

(Published in 6/2010)