by Tiina Alanko
Associate Editor

     There are thousands of young artists who have "stars in their eyes" as they strive for careers in the motion picture industry. Unfortunately, very few of these aspiring actors, screenwriters, and directors actually realize their dreams.

     Through dedication, hard work, and a strong desire to succeed, Finnish-born Renny Harlin, overcame this challenge and turned his dream of becoming a Hollywood movie director into reality.

     Harlin determined his future when he was only 12. Becoming a film director was his lifelong dream that he would not put aside. As a young small town boy, from Riihimäki, Finland, he spent his time experimenting with his home video camera. This helped to motivate Harlin's interest in film throughout his adolescence and accelerated his interest towards a career in the film industry.

     Harlin pursued his dream career, which led him to attend a Finnish film school in the late 1970's. He learned to trust his instincts and soon established his own production company. Harlin made his first mark in the film industry by making documentaries in Finland during the 1980's.

     With his dedication and strong will to succeed, Harlin launched his career in the mid-1980's with his first movie, the Arctic Heat (released in the U.S as Born American) with a minimal budget and a small crew. His success with this action film gave him the confidence to try his luck in the U.S. film market.

     Harlin's passion for film making was to direct action films because he liked the challenge, excitement, and they were also more fun to make. In 1988, he distinguished himself with a movie, Nightmare on Elm Street IV. This movie became the highest grossing independent film of all time. His success continued in early 1990's with the movies, The Adventures of Ford Fairlane and Die Hard 2: Die Harder, which also became a smash at the box office. Since then, Harlin has directed a series of action movies in the United States.

     Harlin not only directs but also produces movies. He made his producing debut with a movie, Rambling Rose, which was a critically lauded in 1991. Harlin's most popular films were Cliffhanger in 1993, starring Sylvester Stallone, The Long Kiss Goodnight in 1996 starring Geena Davis and The Deep Blue Sea in 1999, which grossed over $160 million worldwide. He is also known for producing comedies such as, Speechless (MGM) and Blast From the Past, for New Line Cinema.

     Harlin's recent movie, Driven evolved from his lifelong passion for motor sports. He had traveled the world as a Formula One fan, which inspired him to put together a racing movie. Driven was released in the summer of 2001. Harlin is constantly preparing new films - his latest, the psychological thriller, Mindhunters, which recently wrapped production and is currently in editing. Harlin resides in New York City where he operates his production company, Midnight Sun Pictures.

RENNY'S   FILMOGRAPHY 2001 Driven 1999 Deep Blue Sea 1996 The Long Kiss Goodnight 1995 Cutthroat Island 1993 Cliffhanger 1990 The Adventures of Ford Fairlane 1990 Die Hard 2: Die Harder 1988 Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master 1988 Prison 1986 Born American

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