The Diver () is a 2001 Finnish short film directed by PV Lehtinen. It is an ode to diving and the aesthetics of movement. The film focuses on Helge Wasenius (born 1927), the grand old man of diving, who competed in two Olympic Games and performed clown dives. Lehtinen has said that the protagonist, Helge Wasenius, was his neighbour and childhood hero. When he started planning the film, an image of Wasenius hanging by his feet from the ten-meter diving tower of Helsinki Swimming Stadium was embedded in his head. The diving sequences in the film have been compared to Leni Riefenstahl. Lehtinen has said he was inspired by Herb Ritts’ photographs of divers more than Riefensthal.
Critical reviews Variety International Film Guide wrote following about the film: "A thoughtful voiceover and a skilful blend of archive and dramatised footage create a meditative mood, emphasised by touches of ambient music, giving the spectator space to reflect on his own emotions".
Awards The Diver won the Grand Prix and other main prizes at the Tampere Film Festival 2001.
Year Association Country Award category Status 2001 Tampere Film Festival Finland Grand Prix, International Competition 2001 Tampere Film Festival Finland Main Prize, Finnish Short Film Under 30 Minutes 2001 Tampere Film Festival Finland Prize of the Youth Jury, Finnish Short Film Under 30 Minutes 2001 Tampere Film Festival Finland Audience Award, International Competition 2001 Tampere Film Festival Finland Risto Jarva Award 2001 Festival du nouveau cinéma Canada Best Short Film, Loup Argenté 2001 Corto Imola Film Festival Italy Best International Film, Special Mention 2001 Brest European Short Film Festival France Best Short Film, Young Jury Award 2001 International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam The Netherlands Special Mention, Silver Wolf 2002 Finland´s State Quality Award Finland Quality Award 2002 Maremetraggio International Short Film Festival Italy Best Foreign Language Film 2002 Montecatini Filmvideo - International Short Film Festival Italy Best Film, Heron - Youth Jury Award 2002 Montecatini Filmvideo - International Short Film Festival Italy Silver Heron 2002 Palermo International Sport Film Festival Italy Best Film, Paladino d'Oro 2006 Sport Movies & TV – Milano International FICTS Fest Italy Best Movie, Guirlande d'Honneur
References
External links
The Diver (Hyppääjä) trailer