Cineconcert South takes you to the Antarctic

Organised in February 2021, the contemporary music festival Musica nova Helsinki, the documentary film festival DocPoint and Savoy Theatre join forces for the first time to create a unique cineconcert. The concert will feature performances by experimental music pioneers Nik Void and Ilpo Väisänen.

Musica nova Helsinki, Savoy Theatre and DocPoint – Helsinki Documentary Film Festival present a cineconcert at Savoy Theatre on Sunday, 7 February, that takes the audience on a journey to the freezing Antarctic before climate change. Nik Void and Ilpo Väisänen create a soundscape for the 1919 documentary South, which traces the legendary Antarctic expedition. The artists have composed the music for the cineconcert and will perform it live.

The recording of the expedition of the famed explorer, Sir Ernest Shackleton, is a stunning demonstration of an early documentary film. The music of Void and Väisänen, known for their experimental electronic music, combines with Frank Hurley’s photographs of the daring voyage, during which the expedition’s ship was crushed by ice, leaving the men to survive in a hostile environment. Hurley’s dedication to documenting the expedition is best described by the fact that he dove into the freezing water to save his films from the sinking ship.

As a film, South is an impressive depiction of curiosity, tenacity and ingenuity. Its magnificent images praise the immeasurable power of nature but also contain an element of sadness: not even the Antarctic looks the same as it did to Frank Hurley a hundred years ago.

The documentary about testing limits combines with the compositions of two experimental music pioneers. The British Nik Void is famous for creating a soundscape that traverses the boundaries of ambient, avant-garde, techno and noise. Void’s iconoclastic touch is a natural pairing with Ilpo Väisänen, another pioneer of electronic music. Known for his work with Pan Sonic as well as his solo projects, Väisänen’s soundscapes are often created using simple instruments and techniques, challenging the mainstream of electronic music.

Cineconcert South at Savoy Theatre on Sunday, 7 February at 4 and 7 p.m. Tickets (€19) sold by Ticketmaster, Lippupiste and Savoy Theatre (tel. +358 (0)9 310 12 000).

The largest contemporary music festival in Finland, Musica nova Helsinki, will be held on 2–10 February 2021. The programme will be released gradually throughout late 2020 and early 2021. More information about all the concerts released so far can be found at musicanova.fi. All festival concerts are planned in accordance with the latest audience restrictions and other safety arrangements. Changes to the programme are possible. The main organisers of Musica nova Helsinki are Helsinki Festival, Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, Tapiola Sinfonietta, Finnish National Opera and Ballet, Yle (Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra) and the Society of Finnish Composers.

Celebrating its 20th anniversary next year, DocPoint – Helsinki Documentary Film Festival will be held on 29 January – 7 February 2021. The festival is organised in accordance with current safety guidelines concerning the coronavirus pandemic. More information about the programme released so far can be found at docpointfestival.fi.

Savoy Theatre is an international film and concert venue, equipped with modern film, light and sound technology. The 750-seat Savoy Theatre hosts several film and music festivals each year.