Markus Selin
Encyclopedia
Markus Selin is a television
and film producer
.
and so became good friends with the aspiring director who was then working as a buyer for a Finnish distribution company. The two collaborated on a script about three Americans vacationing in Finland who cross the border into the Soviet Union
. They approached Chuck Norris
to star and he initially agreed but later had to pull out after the production was delayed due to financing problems but his son Mike Norris
took over the lead. Selin and Harlin funded the first part of production themselves and then shopped around with the resulting 20-minute demo reel. Selin was eventually able to secure co-production financing from the U.S. for what became the most expensive film ever produced in Finland. Under the terms of the deal Selin held on to the Finnish distribution rights. Unfortunately upon completion in 1986
the film was banned by the Finnish government for fear that its anti-Soviet slant might damage bilateral relations. The pairing followed this in 1987
with Wild Force: S.O.P.H.I.A. (a.k.a. I want you to stay) but failed to secure a distributor.
In the early 1990s Selin formed two companies Harlin & Selin Productions Oy with old friend Renny Harlin and his own Solar Films
. The first project for these two companies in 1993
was Gladiaattorit
, the Finnish version of the hit U.S. television series American Gladiators
, produced by Selin, directed by Harlin and co-written by the two friends. This was followed in 1994
by a sketch comedy series called Vintiöt starring Santeri Kinnunen and that same year
a feature called Sunset Riders. The movie was a hit with the critics winning Finnish Movie Awards for his its director Aleksi Mäkelä and its star Juha Veijonen but only performed moderately well at the box office. Numerous television and feature productions followed. In 2006
Selin re-teamed with old friend and collaborator Renny Harlin
to produce a biopic of Finnish President Gustaf Mannerheim, but the budget projection spiraled, far eclipsing American Born, and coupled with problems with the Finnish government, again, the project was put on hold where it remains indefinitely.
Television producer
The primary role of a television Producer is to allow all aspects of video production, ranging from show idea development and cast hiring to shoot supervision and fact-checking...
and film producer
Film producer
A film producer oversees and delivers a film project to all relevant parties while preserving the integrity, voice and vision of the film. They will also often take on some financial risk by using their own money, especially during the pre-production period, before a film is fully financed.The...
.
Career
Selin's first feature was conceived in the mid-80s. While attending a party in L.A. he was introduced to fellow Finn Renny HarlinRenny Harlin
Renny Harlin is a Finnish-American film director and producer. He is best known for Die Hard 2 , Cliffhanger , The Long Kiss Goodnight and Deep Blue Sea...
and so became good friends with the aspiring director who was then working as a buyer for a Finnish distribution company. The two collaborated on a script about three Americans vacationing in Finland who cross the border into the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
. They approached Chuck Norris
Chuck Norris
Carlos Ray "Chuck" Norris is an American martial artist and actor. After serving in the United States Air Force, he began his rise to fame as a martial artist and has since founded his own school, Chun Kuk Do...
to star and he initially agreed but later had to pull out after the production was delayed due to financing problems but his son Mike Norris
Mike Norris (actor)
Michael R. "Mike" Norris is an American actor who has acted in over two dozen films. He is the son of the more famous actor and martial arts champion Chuck Norris. He starred in the 1986 drama film Born American and the 1991 action film Delta Force 3: The Killing Game...
took over the lead. Selin and Harlin funded the first part of production themselves and then shopped around with the resulting 20-minute demo reel. Selin was eventually able to secure co-production financing from the U.S. for what became the most expensive film ever produced in Finland. Under the terms of the deal Selin held on to the Finnish distribution rights. Unfortunately upon completion in 1986
1986 in film
-Events:*April 12 - Actor Morgan Mason marries The Go-Go's Belinda Carlisle.*April 26 - Actor Arnold Schwarzenegger marries television journalist Maria Shriver.*May - Actress Heather Locklear marries Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee....
the film was banned by the Finnish government for fear that its anti-Soviet slant might damage bilateral relations. The pairing followed this in 1987
1987 in film
-Events:*January 31 - The Cure for Insomnia premieres at The School of the Art Institute in Chicago, Illinois, to officially become the world's longest film according to Guinness World Records....
with Wild Force: S.O.P.H.I.A. (a.k.a. I want you to stay) but failed to secure a distributor.
In the early 1990s Selin formed two companies Harlin & Selin Productions Oy with old friend Renny Harlin and his own Solar Films
Solar Films
Solar Films is Finnish film production company founded in 1995. Today it is the leading production company in Finland in the fields of feature films and TV productions. Films produced by Solar Films have won altogether 23 Finnish film awards and five viewer poll awards for the most popular movie of...
. The first project for these two companies in 1993
1993 in television
The year 1993 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1993.For the American TV schedule, see: 1993-94 United States network television schedule.-Events:-Debuts:-1950s:...
was Gladiaattorit
Gladiaattorit
Gladiaattorit was a Finnish competition television program part of the international Gladiators franchise. The show ran 1993-1994, was directed by Hollywood director Renny Harlin, produced by Markus Selin, and filmed at Planet FunFun...
, the Finnish version of the hit U.S. television series American Gladiators
American Gladiators
American Gladiators is an American competition television program that aired in syndication from September 1989 to May 1996. The series matched a cast of amateur athletes against each other, as well as against the show's own gladiators, in contests of strength and agility.The concept was created by...
, produced by Selin, directed by Harlin and co-written by the two friends. This was followed in 1994
1994 in television
The year 1994 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1994.For the American TV schedule, see: 1994-95 United States network television schedule.-Events:-Debuts:-Miniseries:...
by a sketch comedy series called Vintiöt starring Santeri Kinnunen and that same year
1994 in film
1994 was a significant year in film.The top grosser worldwide was The Lion King, which to date stands as the highest-grossing traditionally-animated film of all time...
a feature called Sunset Riders. The movie was a hit with the critics winning Finnish Movie Awards for his its director Aleksi Mäkelä and its star Juha Veijonen but only performed moderately well at the box office. Numerous television and feature productions followed. In 2006
2006 in film
- Highest-grossing films :Please note that following the tradition of the English-language film industry, these are the top-grossing films that were first released in the United States in 2006...
Selin re-teamed with old friend and collaborator Renny Harlin
Renny Harlin
Renny Harlin is a Finnish-American film director and producer. He is best known for Die Hard 2 , Cliffhanger , The Long Kiss Goodnight and Deep Blue Sea...
to produce a biopic of Finnish President Gustaf Mannerheim, but the budget projection spiraled, far eclipsing American Born, and coupled with problems with the Finnish government, again, the project was put on hold where it remains indefinitely.
Filmography
- Born AmericanBorn AmericanBorn American is a 1986 film directed by Renny Harlin. It was a feature length action movie about three Americans vacationing in Finland who cross the border into the Soviet Union...
(19851985 in film-Events:* 3 December - Roger Moore steps down from the role of James Bond after twelve years and seven films. He is replaced by Timothy Dalton.* The Academy Award for Best Picture was won by Out Of Africa, while the highest grossing film was Back to the Future.* Bliss wins AFI Award for best Movie...
) - Sunset Riders (19941994 in film1994 was a significant year in film.The top grosser worldwide was The Lion King, which to date stands as the highest-grossing traditionally-animated film of all time...
) - Gold Rush (19971997 in film-Events:* The original Star Wars trilogy's Special Editions are released.* Production begins on Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace.* Titanic becomes the first film to gross US$1,000,000,000 at the box office making it the highest grossing film in history until Avatar broke the record in 2010.*...
) - The Tough OnesThe Tough OnesThe Tough Ones is a 1999 Finnish film directed by Aleksi Mäkelä. It was Finland's official Best Foreign Language Film submission at the 72nd Academy Awards, but did not manage to receive a nomination....
(19991999 in filmThe year 1999 in film involved several noteworthy events and has been called "The Year That Changed Movies". Several significant feature films, including Stanley Kubrick's final film Eyes Wide Shut, Pedro Almodóvar's first Oscar-winning film All About My Mother, science fiction The Matrix, Deep...
) - Restless (20002000 in filmThe year 2000 in film involved some significant events.The top grosser worldwide was Mission: Impossible II. Domestically in North America, Gladiator won the Academy Awards for Best Picture and Best Actor ....
) - The South (20002000 in filmThe year 2000 in film involved some significant events.The top grosser worldwide was Mission: Impossible II. Domestically in North America, Gladiator won the Academy Awards for Best Picture and Best Actor ....
) - Me and MorrisonMe and MorrisonMe and Morrison is a 2001 Finnish romantic drama film directed by Lenka Hellstedt. The film is based on the novel Minä ja Morrison by Katariina Souri and it is the second film in the Restless trilogy, preceded by Restless and followed by Addiction .- Cast :* Irina Björklund as Milla* Samuli...
(20012001 in filmThe year 2001 in film involved some significant events, including the first of the Harry Potter series and also the first of The Lord of the Rings trilogy...
) - Bad Boys (20032003 in filmThe year 2003 in film involved some significant events. Releases of sequels took place with movies like The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, 2 Fast 2 Furious, Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle, The Matrix Reloaded, The Matrix Revolutions, Pokémon Heroes, Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines,...
) - Addiction (20042004 in filmThe year 2004 in film involved some significant events. Major releases of sequels took place. It included blockbuster films like Shrek 2, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, The Passion of the Christ, Meet the Fockers, Blade: Trinity, Spider-Man 2, Alien vs. Predator, Kill Bill Vol...
) - Vares – Private Eye (20042007 in filmThis is a list of major films released in 2007.-Top grossing films:Please note that following the tradition of the English-language film industry, these are the top grossing films that were first released in the USA in 2007...
) - Paha maaPaha maaFrozen Land is a 2005 critically acclaimed dark Finnish film drama directed and written by Aku Louhimies starring Jasper Pääkkönen, Mikko Leppilampi and Pamela Tola.-Plot:...
(20052005 in film- Highest-grossing films :Please note that following the tradition of the English-language film industry, these are the top-grossing films that were first released in the United States in 2005...
) - Matti (20062006 in film- Highest-grossing films :Please note that following the tradition of the English-language film industry, these are the top-grossing films that were first released in the United States in 2006...
) - Frozen City (20062006 in film- Highest-grossing films :Please note that following the tradition of the English-language film industry, these are the top-grossing films that were first released in the United States in 2006...
) - V2 – Dead Angel (20072007 in filmThis is a list of major films released in 2007.-Top grossing films:Please note that following the tradition of the English-language film industry, these are the top grossing films that were first released in the USA in 2007...
) - The Home of Dark ButterfliesThe Home of Dark ButterfliesThe Home of Dark Butterflies is a 2008 Finnish film directed by Dome Karukoski and starring Niilo Syväoja, Tommi Korpela, Kristiina Halttu and Kati Outinen...
(2008) - Dark FloorsDark FloorsDark Floors – The Lordi Motion Picture is a Finnish horror film. The film was released in February 2008 and stars William Hope, Leon Herbert, Philip Bretherton, Ronald Pickup, and Skye Bennett. The film also features all of the Lordi band members playing the monsters. Mr. Lordi has also designed...
(2008) - The Subtenant (2008)
- HellsinkiHellsinkiHellsinki is a 2009 Finnish film directed by Aleksi Mäkelä. The film is based on the novel Rööperi – rikoksen vuodet 1955–2005 by Harri Nykänen and Tom Sjöberg...
(2009) - MannerheimMannerheim (film)Mannerheim is an upcoming biographical film about the life of Finnish politician and military commander Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim. Set to be directed by Finnish director Renny Harlin and produced by Markus Selin, the project has, as of February 2009, stalled shortly before shooting was to begin,...
(2010)
Sources, references, external links, quotations
- Official site for Solar FilmsSolar FilmsSolar Films is Finnish film production company founded in 1995. Today it is the leading production company in Finland in the fields of feature films and TV productions. Films produced by Solar Films have won altogether 23 Finnish film awards and five viewer poll awards for the most popular movie of...
- Markus Selin's Top 5 Finish Films at Finish Concept Hotels