The documentary about Kaija Koo’s life goes through the turning points of the artist’s career and the pain points of her private life.
Familiar laughter echoes from afar when Kaija Koo, 60, appears in front of the photographers. A documentary about the singer’s life will soon be released, directed by Tinkenkäkuningatar Pia Asikainen.
The singer, who sat behind the press at the pre-screening, admits that he watched the audience’s reactions.
– I thought there (in the hall), are they laughing or are they crying? What do people see when that (material) is already familiar to them.
Kaija Koo opens up about her life in a new documentary. Jussi Eskola
What made the con artist agree to make the documentary?
– Well, I thought, since all men are always made of those who have accomplished something, I thought this was my duty as a woman. Women shouldn’t be shy when they’ve accomplished things either. It’s good for us to do that too, the artist replies.
Kaija Koo’s career as a bright star in Finland cannot be denied. He has won several Emma awards, packed arenas and showed the audience that age is just a number.
Kaija Koo at the press conference of the Tin Shoe Queen documentary. Jussi Eskola
However, the new documentary also hears about the pain points of the star’s personal life. One of those happened in 2006, when the marriage producer Markku Impiön ended up breaking up with. The relationship between the couple was strained, as the ex-husband’s alcoholism influenced, among other things, the background. In the documentary, the newspaper headlines that were torn about the divorce at that time are glimpsed.
– I don’t like to talk about that breakup, but it’s part of this. It doesn’t matter, when I made an autobiography, it’s storytelling and provides the basis for my music. Everything that has happened to me creates depth in the work I do.
– On the other hand, it can also be an important message to others. When people know that hard things have happened to me, and they see me doing my job, that gives them strength. These are important messages for people, I am not only doing this for myself but also for others.
Kaija Koo has seen many faces of the entertainment world. Now he talks about his career and life in a new documentary. Jussi Eskola
A public animal
Kaija Koo is used to being seen at several summer festivals and tours over the past few years. The public has also demanded its price. In the documentary, we hear how the singer feels to be “under the watchful eyes”.
– I’m shy and I like to be alone quite a lot. Ever since I was a child, I’ve been someone who doesn’t come out big. Music has been my gift.
– When I come off the stage, I don’t have to be the funniest of the bunch. I love being apart from a group of people sometimes. It suits me just fine.
Director Pia Asikaista praises the artist profusely. They didn’t know each other from before, but the first meeting left a good impression.
– Pia is an amazing and brave person. He has a very sharp perception.
Director Pia Asikainen immediately found common ground with Kaija Koo. Jussi Eskola
Director Asikainen tells Iltalehti that he had not gotten to know Kaija Koo’s life in more detail before making the documentary. However, the biggest hits were already known.
– I had (in advance) such an idea of Kaija that she is really funny, crazy, determined and a control freak. We did this together. We were born with trust. He let me get really close and I let him get really close, commented Asikainen.
The tin shoe queen documentary can be watched on January 2, 2023 at Yle Areena and on January 6, 2023 on Yle TV1 channel.