Helsinki Kunsthalle to showcase Paola Suhonen’s documentary about porn star Nina Hartley

Filmmaker Paola Suhonen will present her intimate cinematic portrait of adult film star Nina Hartley at Helsinki Kunsthalle in December 2016. The exhibition marks the debut of Suhonen’s work as an artist in the Finnish art scene and will also present the Hartley to the larger audience.

The Pornstar, Nina Hartley is a sex symbol, known for her business skills, fighting for women’s sexual liberation and believing in great love stories. She is a sex lover and an exhibitionist, and a subject of hate for conservatives.

Suhonen has been filming Hartley ever since 2009. They became friends after meeting in New York, where Suhonen was working as an editor of New York based magazine Love Contemporary. Suhonen started shooting short, experimental 16mm visual vinjets of Hartley and recorded their long conversations about love, lovers, sex, porn industry and life. Suhonen has also interviewed over 30 people in Hartley’s life.

From this material, Suhonen has put together an experimental documentary comprising of vinjets, other film material and interviews as a separate audio soundtrack. The film is part of her ongoing project where Suhonen portrays interesting people and their lives from her perspective. The film will premiere in Suhonen’s solo exhibition at Helsinki Kunsthalle, opening on December 3rd 2016. Stay tuned for more information about the upcoming exhibition.

Paola Suhonen’s solo exhibition 3.12.2016 – 8.1.2017
Helsinki Kunstahalle, Nervanderinkatu 3