The final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2007 will open with a 3 minute video directed by Antti J. Jokinen and features Lordi, Kalevala mythology and Lapland. It will set the mood for the rest of the show with Lordi following it live on stage and Apocalyptica performing in the interval act. So, there won�t be the usual touristic postcardlike presentation of the host country!

Antti J. Jokinen is a well known music video director who has done videosfor Missy Elliot, Anna Vissi, Wyclef Jean, Anastacia and Tiziano Ferro just to name a few. He directed also Nightwish’s Nemo video, that was the most expensive video in Finland until now. This new one passed 200.000 euros. “I just got everything I asked for” he says “so if someone doesn’t like the video I am the only one to blame!”. The video was shot over a three days in Rovaniemi and Lapland and features all Lordi members and actor Jasper Pääkkönen.

“When I was asked I had my doubts but decided to go for it, not because YLE asked “The best in Finland” even if that felt very flattering but because I know Tomi Putaansuu for many years already.”

Antti J Jokinen studied film making at the University of North Carolina. He won the North Carolina Film Festival with his short film “A Fist Full of Sand” and was discovered by music channel MTV, where Antti later would work and make his real break through by making music videos.

On his return to Finland he co-founded Solar Films, which has become one of the biggest film production companies in Finland. Jokinen has directed and written several TV series in Finland and abroad.