Crossroads – documentary series premieres during Oulu’s Alvar Aalto Week!

Crossroads is a documentary series about memories and individuals whose paths have intersected in a unique way with the Aaltosiilo in Oulu. The series explores the impact of the old silo building and its surrounding community on individuals – on memory, identity, and the experience of place.

The filmmakers, director and producer Anna Niemelä, and cinematographer and editor Juha Niemelä, have followed the Aaltosiilo restoration process since 2021, alongside in-depth research and the collection of personal narratives. As the story unfolds, viewers witness how a long-abandoned storage building gradually transforms into a space for culture, art, and encounters.

The series also connects to a broader discussion on what the preservation of existing buildings reveals about our relationship with the environment, identity, and the future. Built cultural heritage is not only a memory of the past, but a part of a sustainable and meaningful future.

The work consists of six mini documentaries of approximately 5 minutes each, premiering in August 2026 as part of Oulu’s Alvar Aalto Week.

The documentary series has received Arts and Culture Grant funding from the City of Oulu in 2025.