Elokuvat

Film-making in our own way

Montaasi has always been a primarily creative and productive film club. The club was founded in response to the need to bring the tools of filmmaking within reach of film enthusiasts. Shortly after its founding, the club acquired a 16 mm film camera and began making its own films. The club quickly accumulated technical and creative skills, which also interested outsiders: Montaasi began organizing basic film courses and making commissioned documentaries for, among others, the student union of the Helsinki University of Technology.

The tradition of independent filmmaking has continued at Montaasi throughout the years. Although the short films made at the club reflect their creators, they also reflect the spirit of their times. For example, early works such as Kaupungin omakuva [Self-portrait of the city] (1958) and 9 runoa [9 poems] (1959) represent the avant-garde of the 1950s, while the playful portrayal of human relationships in Mielo (1963) channels the French New Wave. Works from the period of political activism in the 1970s take a bold stand, for example through sex and morality in the film Mauton pila [Tasteless joke] (1972) and through the position of the working class in Eespäin [Forward] (1974). The punk movement fueled a boundary-breaking do-it-yourself spirit among Montaasi members: this created e.g. a new version of Tuntematon sotilas [The unknown soldier] (1978), a depiction of the birth of a legendary youth center in Lepakko [Bat] (1979) and an educational film Kiljun valmistus ja käyttö [The production and use of moonshine] (1982). Later works such as Postilaitoksen miehet [The men of the postal service] (1983/2012) and Le Shaft (2000) have characteristics of the video generation, and the influence of American independent cinema is visible in the short Ei koskaan mitään pahaa [Never anything bad] (1997). New and old film techniques are combined in the short film 1000 auringon kirkkaus [The brightness of 1000 suns] (2010), shot on 16 mm film and digital video, which won the award for best film under 3 minutes at the Helsinki Short Film Festival.

Film Club Montaasi's Rules for Equipment Rentals

Updated 22.1.2009 (English translation updated in 2025; in case of discrepancy, the Finnish text applies)

General terms

The rental of equipment requires membership in Montaasi. The lessee rents equipment from Montaasi in accordance with these rules. A binding agreement for the rental of equipment between the parties is created when Montaasi accepts the reservation, and it is confirmed in writing when picking up the equipment. Montaasi may, at its discretion, choose not to rent the equipment (i.e. not accept the reservation). The membership fee for the current membership term and the rental price for the agreed rental period must be paid to Montaasi's account when picking up the equipment. The lessee must present a receipt for the payment transaction. Alternatively, the rental price can be paid in cash when picking up the equipment. The lessee must prove their identity when picking up the equipment, if requested.

Rental price

The equipment has a daily rental fee according to a separate price list. The rental fee is paid for the day of rental and for each subsequent day (a day begins at midnight, 00:00). Rentals of less than 24 hours will be charged as one-day rentals. The rent is paid for the agreed rental period. If the lessee returns the equipment early, Montaasi will not refund the rent for the remaining rental period.

Rental period

Equipment can be reserved for a maximum of seven (7) consecutive days at a time. Longer, continuous reservations will be processed separately by Montaasi's board. After the equipment has been rented, the equipment manager may grant an extension of the rental period for a maximum of seven (7) days at a time, if there are no other reservations. However, extending the rental period to more than 14 days from the start date requires the board's approval. If the return is delayed beyond the agreed time, the lessee must pay double the daily rental price as a late fee for each day that exceeds the rental period. In addition, Montaasi may cancel the lessee's rental right.

Cancelling the reservation

If the lessee cancels the reservation before picking up the equipment, the lessee must pay half of the rent for the cancelled rental period. Montaasi may, for compelling reasons (e.g. equipment breakage), cancel the reservation before the equipment is picked up. In this case, the lessee will be refunded the rent for the cancelled rental period. Montaasi is not obliged to compensate the lessee for any damages or costs resulting from the cancellation of the reservation.

Equipment inspection

The equipment is rented without a separate guarantee of functionality. The lessee must inspect the functionality of the rented equipment at the start of the reservation. If a defect or deficiency is discovered in the equipment, the reservation can be cancelled without costs to the lessee.

Use and maintenance of the equipment

The lessee undertakes to use and store the equipment carefully and appropriately. The equipment may not be handed over to a third party without permission from Montaasi. The lessee may not make any modifications or repairs to the equipment without separate permission from Montaasi. The equipment may not be transported from Finland without separate permission from Montaasi.

Damage and defects

The lessee must notify Montaasi of all defects that arise and damages that occur in the equipment during the rental period. If the lessee has caused damage to the equipment, the lessee must return the damaged equipment as soon as possible and reimburse Montaasi for the repair costs. If the equipment or part of it is destroyed, lost or, for some other reason, cannot be repaired or returned to Montaasi, the lessee must reimburse the costs of acquiring new, similar equipment. If a defect occurs in the equipment during the rental period that is not due to the activities for which the lessee is responsible, the lessee will be reimbursed for the rent for the unused rental period. Montaasi is not obliged to compensate the lessee for any damages or costs caused by defects or deficiencies in the equipment.

Films