In 2017, Michael Monroe started a documentary film project with Saku-Petteri Perinnö. Suddenly, Monroe’s mind changed.
Michael Monroe and Saku-Petteri Perinnön The dispute between the two parties was discussed this week for two days at the Helsinki District Court. Iltalehti’s possession of the same documents sheds more light on the dispute.
The documents obtained by Iltalehti reveal how unexpectedly Michael Monroe ended the game after a long shoot. According to the documents, the film project lasted more than a year and a half.
Monroe sued the Love U Mean It (Lumi) production company. The dispute between Monroe and the production company concerns a biographical documentary about Monroe published by the production company.
In Monroe’s opinion, the documentary was published in December 2021 on the Elisa Viihde streaming service without his permission. The documentary was removed from the service just a few days after publication. The CEO of the production company, Saku-Petteri Perintö, said in court that Monroe pressured to remove the documentary film.
District court documents show the exchange of messages between Monroe and Perinnö throughout the filming process.
Saku-Petteri Perintö started making a documentary film in 2017 together with Michael Monroe. Henri Kärkkäinen
“The right to check everything”
The contractual issues of the documentary film have been discussed with Monroe and her representatives in e-mails already sent in 2017. It appears from the court’s written evidence that CEO Perintö sent Michael Monroe and Warner Music Jake to Hannula proposal for the contract in March 2017.
In the first version of the contract, Perintö proposed that his production company be responsible for all production costs, including copyright and royalties.
– Michael Monroe has the right to check all published material before it is presented, and no material will be published without Michael Monroe’s approval, the contract proposal states.
– Love U Mean It owns the product rights, but pays compensation to Michael Monroe.
A few days later, Hannula has responded to Perinnö and proposed changes to the contract.
– The following items and corrections would like to be recorded in the log book. It’s better that everything is written down, then there will be no ambiguities/unnecessary adjustments and everything will go smoothly, Hannula wrote.
“Accepted”
Monroe and her background teams requested, among other things, that Monroe has the right to prohibit filming in certain situations for the sake of her privacy.
– The final cut of the program will be approved, and if necessary, the parties will decide on the changes to be made to it together, Hannula wrote.
Two days later, on April 6, 2017, Perintö proposed some counter-changes to the contract.
Finally, at 20:06 that evening, Monroe accepted the contract.
– Hi, Yes, this would seem to be in good order. So let’s accept. See you tomorrow! Monroe messaged Perinno.
Monroe and the production company started out together Michael Monroe – shooting a documentary film. According to the agreement, filming of the documentary began on April 7, 2017 and ended on September 30 of the same year, unless “the parties separately agree otherwise.” The film was shot and the project progressed.
At the turn of 2017–2018, the parties had extensive discussions about the edits and corrections to be made to the film. Monroe made several suggestions for corrections that were implemented into the film. However, Monroe seemed positive and hopeful in the messages that the film will be completed.
On January 17, Monroe expressed her feelings towards the film to Perinno.
– Yes, this thing has to be done to the fullest, we still have to get Alice Cooper and Little Steven and hopefully Dave Grohl to the fair, but that requires a trip to the Yankees.
– Dokkar has to be perfect before it is published, even if it takes until next autumn, Monroe continued.
Almost done
Months passed and the documentary film was promoted. In early August 2018, Monroe watched a new version of the documentary and commented that they are “very far from done”. At that time, he gave another twenty editing suggestions for the film, which were implemented.
However, on August 29, Warner Music’s Jake Hannula announced that the documentary is not finished.
– Dokkari is not close to being ready yet. Would it be possible to bring Pete Eklund into this as a consultant? Pete old acquaintances and experience in movies/documentaries and music work. They know Michael well and know Michael’s entire career inside out, Hannula said about the relationship between Monroe and Eklund.
– It seems that now this docker is stuck in place, even though a lot of changes have been made back and forth. Dokkari is pretty superficial at the moment, and if Pete could come to this and get the job done with you, Hannula continued.
Perintö agreed that Eklund will be a consultant for the documentary. However, he reminded in the messages that the original basis of the film was based on Ari Väntänen’s biography. He also announced that the planned premiere from October 2018 can be slightly postponed.
– We’ve been making this documentary for 1.5 years now, and it goes without saying that we haven’t exactly gathered any other big projects to do. The documentary has cost several tens of thousands [euroja] and after those clearings, the cost just goes up.
– The last movie we showed to Finnkino’s five executives had, so to speak, the final cut, which they accepted. This doesn’t mean that we can’t deepen the story or change some sections, but for us it’s very difficult to work when we get feedback from you once every three months.
– The last time Michael was in contact by mail, he said that there would be little left to change.
In September 2018, Eklund gave his comments regarding the film. Among other things, he suggested interviews with Monroe’s mother and siblings and an interview with Andy McCoy.
The October premiere was delayed. Additional material was shot for the film, including with Monroe’s mother.
“I don’t believe in this anymore”
In February 2019, Monroe wrote a long message to Perinnö, in which she again tells her thoughts about the film. His mind had changed.
Monroe wanted to stop the film project with Heritage.
– Dear Saku, I have been troubled by this for a very long time and I must now say with all respect that I don’t have enough faith that this documentary would be good enough and high-quality in this way, Monroe wrote.
According to Monroe, the film project had lacked coherence and a decent vision all along.
– This would require a different perspective, guidance and passion from someone who is really inside my story.
Monroe wanted the documentary film made about her to be made big and for it to be quoted on an international level as well.
– This can only be done once in a lifetime, and therefore I cannot accept anything but the best, because it is unique. And it’s about my life.
– After countless different edited versions, it has never been close to being finished. The project just hasn’t taken off the way it should have and when this has only dragged on and the framework is not enough, unfortunately I no longer believe in this.
– I would suggest that we whistle the game now. I hope you understand my point of view and don’t take any personal offense from this. However, you are really good at what you do, it just unfortunately didn’t work in this case.
– No hard feelings, eh? Love & Respect, my friend. Sincerely and sincerely, Michael.
In 2020, Monroe and director Pete Eklund began discussing a joint documentary film. Directed by Eklund Hi It’s Michael -documentary premiered on September 29, 2023.