TOISIN TEIN

Toisin tein (I did it the other way) is a 13-minute-long short film about abortion. It’s based on personal stories and includes improvised movement on the ground, aerial acrobatics and the element of water.

The topic of abortion is approached through the process of decision making - and the different emotions it evokes. These emotions and the possible complexity of decision making create a strong atmosphere in the film. Circus as an art form is used for channeling experiences that can be hard to talk about.

The working group interviewed female circus artists from around the world who had had an abortion. Abortion is very private experience. For some it might have been a relief, for some it might be something they carry around with them for a long time. Yet what they noticed was that similar thoughts, experiences and emotions could be found from different stories. With circus artists the bodily experience was also one of great significance.

Toisin tein wants to highlight that abortion is a human right. The person with the uterus should always be the one to make the choice whether to have an abortion or not. 
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ARTISTS
Iida Sipilä and Inka Pehkonen 
DIRECTOR
Jenny Mansikkasalo 
ARTISTIC CONCEPT
Iida Sipilä, Inka Pehkonen & Jenny Mansikkasalo 
SOUND DESIGN
Amanda Martikainen 
FILMING
Christoffer Collina 
EDITING
Ida-Liina Linnea 
PRODUCER
Inka Pehkonen
PRODUCTION
Sisus
SUPPORT
The Arts Promotion Center Finland, City of Helsinki, Cirko - Center for New Circus, Jatka78, Valova Oy
PREMIERE
June 2022

One of the artists, Inka, talked about the show and her personal experience with abortion with the podcast Yaya Talk. You can listen the podcast here!

Jenny Mansikkasalo's article about feminism in circus and 'Toisin tein' (in Finnish): 
https://www.teme.fi/fi/liitos/tarvitsemme-feministista-ajattelua-sirkuskentalle/
 
Pics by: Jelena Candolin 
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