MARJO LEVLIN

Visual artist, filmmaker

Marjo Levlin's method of working usually begins slowly and meanderingly, delving into topics that interest her through background research. This research often leads to winding and ever expanding paths, intertwining different levels of time and combining a network of personal and universal reflections. Following these paths, serendipities, the fortunate unexpected discoveries, bring surprising elements, fascinating stories, or objects into Levlin's works.  Allowing time for background research creates space for reflection and reverie, which manifests in Levlin's works as profoundly multifaceted narratives. Political and social issues serve as a backdrop for these reflections, connecting the themes to broader contexts.

The starting points for the Majakka video work were very different from Levlin's typical way of working: this time, there was no opportunity for background research and the project began with the act of filming. Following with a camera the encounter of two artists previously unknown to each other, Inari Virmakoski and Mercedes Krapovickas, was a leap into the unknown. Virmakoski and Levlin have known each other for decades; the warmth of a close friendship is visible in the camera's gaze. The situation for filming was interesting: the simultaneous presence of familiarity and unfamiliarity between the filmmaker and the subjects – how do these contrasts manifest in the interaction through the means of expressive gestures? The situation conveys intense beauty in the curious interest in the other, sensitivity, trust and openness. Levlin finds a spacious rhythm in the film’s images and situations through a three-channel approach.

Marjo Levlin's latest short film, Underdog, was screened at the 2024 Docpoint festival and received a special jury mention. Underdog was awarded the main prize in the Finnish short film category at the 2025 Tampere Film Festival.

Text by Iina Kuusimäki