Contrast Eye–a boutique production house that’s made its mark internationally since being launched in Tallinn, Estonia, by director Kaimar Kukk and executive producer Osei Kakari in 2007–has now made its first major foray stateside, relocating its headquarters to Venice, Calif.
The shop’s roster includes Kukk, AJ Annila, Juuso Syrjä, Tilman, and Camille Marotte. And while Annila and Syrjä direct individually, they also team under the banner of AJ and Juuso for select projects.
Syrjä launched his career by directing the first Finnish music videos to top MTV’s chart in the U.S. His work spans diverse genres from tabletop to humor, dialogue, extreme sports, automobiles and exteriors. His recent credits include a spot for Finlandia Vodka, shot in London to help promote the brand’s newly redesigned bottle. A self-proclaimed chef, Syrjä loves to do spots with food and is responsible for the Top Chef commercials in Finland and recently a documentary for the Finnish Ministry entitled Cook It Raw. The documentary features 16 of the world’s most famous chefs thrown into the Lapland wilderness. The chefs rely on ancient instincts and ingredients found in the wilderness to make dishes with different themes that end up displayed on hot asymmetrical stones.
Syrjä’s ongoing campaign for Snickers “Nutcase Team” with BBDO Prague features extreme sports athletes, like National Hockey League enforcer Jarkko Ruuto, fueled by Snickers. The “Nutcase” campaign also features frenzy BMX cyclists and a spot with Ero Ettala who has been voted the worlds best snowboarder. Syrjä is currently in production on the next round of “Nutcase Team” commercials in Prague with ice hockey player Roman Cervenka. There’s also the humorous anti-smoking spot titled “Bad Habit” featuring a variety of social scenes ruined by bouts of flatulence. The PSA ends with the tag “Drop a bad habit before it’s too late.”
Meanwhile Syrjä and Annila have worked as a helming duo on certain ad assignments, most notably Samsung and the Schweppes re-launch campaign in Estonia (for long-form theatrical release).
As a solo director, Annila has also taken on numerous commercials as well as several notable feature films. The Finnish director’s filmography includes the features Jade Warrior and Sauna, which both premiered at the Toronto Film Festival. Of Jade Warrior, Annila’s feature debut, film reviewer Derek Elley of Variety wrote, “On a tiny budget of $3.5 million, feature freshman Annila came up with a widescreen entertainment that put many big-budgeters to shame.” Jade Warrior was the first Finnish film to have a theatrical release in China. Annila has gone on to bigger budget films, writing and directing his second film Sauna and is working on his third, Human, with co-writer Doug Taylor (Splice), and art director Patrick Banister (Sucker Punch). The film is shooting in Canada for worldwide release, including the U.S.
Though it hasn’t yet resulted in his working with noted feature producer Bob Weinstein, Annila saw his film Sauna catch the eye of The Weinstein Company partner. “AJ caught my attention when I saw his excellent film Sauna,” related Weinstein. “It was one of the most tense, well-made films I had seen in a long time and I immediately wanted to work with him. His filmmaking is subtle and patient and has a real eye for character that reminds me of one of my favorite filmmakers, Ingmar Bergman.”
German director Tilman (a.k.a. Tilman Braun), French fashion director Marotte, and Kukk round out the Contrast Eye roster. Tilman’s “Way of Money” PSA for children’s charity the Heart’s Desire Association earned a second place honor at the 2009 Young Directors Award competition in Cannes. Director Marotte’s credits include fashion/lifestyle spots for Ralph Lauren. And Kukk is a workhorse director in Estonia, averaging some 60 commercials a year for Contrast Eye.
Contrast Eye maintains production partners from South Africa to Iceland, Brazil to Australia and many regions between, positioning the company to readily execute shoots in different parts of the world.
As for the Contrast Eye moniker, exec producer Kakari explained that it “embraces the concept that creative thinking is diverse; that it is born out of different experiences, different perspectives and different ideals. Without contrast there can be no ‘coming together’, no confluence of thinking. The eye is not only a visual tool, it is also a metaphorical expression: think of the eye of a needle. The thread of creative thinking, fashioned from threads of contrasting ideas and drawn through the eye of the needle where it becomes something new- something unique, inspiring and memorable. Our company exists in the spirit of freedom — of free thinking. It is the same spirit that two million Estonians had in 1991 when they took to the streets and sung for freedom from their Russian overseers after nearly thirteen thousand years of oppression. At Contrast Eye, we’re still singing those notes of freedom everyday in our work. We believe, more than anything, in the freedom of expression, in the passion for individuality and have created a home for the best of the next generation of directors who seek a platform to sing out loud and be heard, whether it is through commercials, music videos or films.”
Contrast Eye is in the process of assembling its sales team in the U.S. The company has already secured independent rep firm FinnSaxon to handle the West Coast and Texas, and Jim Miller to cover the Southeast. Announcements of East Coast and Midwest reps are in the offing.
Robert Eggers and Willem Dafoe Reunite For “Nosferatu”
When Willem Dafoe enjoys working with a filmmaker, he'll often jump at the chance to do it again.
The list of directors with whom the 69-year-old has worked with more than once is extensive, including Wes Anderson,Yorgos Lanthimos,Paul Schrader,Lars von Trier and, now for a third time, Robert Eggers. "If it's good, you come back," Dafoe said plainly.
The pair spoke about Eggers' adaptation of "Nosferatu" that hits theaters Wednesday, some of the challenges they faced making "The Lighthouse" — their first project together released in 2019 — and the unique relationship that exists between actors and directors.
The interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.
Q: Willem, I read that you called Robert after you saw "The Witch." What did you say?
DAFOE: I want to meet you and I want to know who this filmmaker is.
Q: What is it about him that keeps bringing you back?
DAFOE: Well, if it's good, you come back. When I saw "The Witch," I thought, "Wow, this is a film about a period that I'm not particularly knowledgeable about, but I enter it so easily. This is relevant. It's rooted. It's my story. I'm with these people."
That's quite an incredible trick because a lot of period films, they're always pointing to themselves. They're always sending messages. They're always showing. This had a kind of energy and the kind of physicality and sensuality that I thought, "Who does this? I gotta see this guy." And then I had a wonderful experience in "The Lighthouse" and I played a part that was really fun in "The Northman." So, when he wants to do this passion project and offers me this beautiful role of Professor Von Franz, I say,... Read More