VANISH MAGIC BACK ISSUES VANISH MAGIC MAGAZINE 59 | Page 9

MAGIC IN LAPLAND A TV SHOW FROM FINLAND PHOTOS COURTESY SEAN EAST PHOTOGRAPHY Magic in Lapland, the TV series starring awarded Finnish magi- cian and illusionist Henri Kemppainen is completed. The English- language series offers visual fireworks and reveals the most mystic and beautiful destinations in Finland. The 5-part series was filmed in different parts of Finland – Helsinki, Vihti, Oulu region, Rokua National Park, Hossa, Puolanka, Vuokatti, Kemi, Levi, Lemmenjoki, Saariselkä, the National parks of Pallas and Ylläs, and Kilpisjärvi. World class team Behind the magic, in addition to Kemppainen, is a group of inter- nationally renowned names. Dozens of top performers around the world have helped in designing the illusions, together with Christian Engblom, the magic consultant that has performed in the Penn&Teller show. studied in Las Vegas. He was awarded the Performer of the Year 2016 by Evento Awards and the Master Magician Emeritus Reijo Salminen trophy in 2015 and 2016. He has performed in several international arenas, including Abu Dhabi. The series is produced by NTRNZ media Ltd, an Oulu based cre- ative agency best known for the Love of the Wild TV series (double Finnish TV Academy Golden Venla Winner). The first two seasons of the series have been sold to over 30 countries. The international version of the series, Love of the Wild - From the Alps to the Arctic is being filmed in five countries across Europe and will premiere in 2020. The series is the most important thing in my career so far. Perfor- mances on big arenas were nothing compared to this challenge, and I am more than pleased with the end result, says Kemppainen, who got bruised and burned during the filming. https://vimeo.com/333747951 First deal with Finnair The series is first broadcast in Finland by Finnair, who runs the series in its entertainment system for the delight of tourists. The series is produced by Oulu based production company NTRNZ media Ltd. The series is narrated by Finnish actor Peter Franzén, known e.g. from the HBO series Vikings. - The series was showcased to dozens of TV networks around the world in Cannes this spring, and we’ve got a lot of interest, espe- cially from Asia, says Executive producer Teemu Hostikka. The distributor for Magic in Lapland is Lightning International, with offices in Hong Kong and Great Britain. The series was also presented in Brussels in December 2019, and received big ap- plause from the international audience. - We hope to be able to publish more happy news about where the series will be shown very soon, says Producer Topi Paananen. Magic in Lapland is an English-language TV series aimed at inter- national markets. The team consists of some of the biggest names in TV magic. Henri Kemppainen is consulted by international magic consultant Christian Engblom, who has previously consult- ed David Blaine and performed in Penn & Teller’s ”Fool Us.” The pyrotechnics are the work of Jani Järvinen, who has worked for Tiësto, David Guetta, Armin van Buuren and Finnish rap icon Elastinen, as well as created pyrotechnics for multiple TV series. Henri Kemppainen is a Finnish magician-illusionist who has VANISH MAGAZINE www.VanishMagazine.com 9