Age rating: K-16

Browse all posts

Published:

Amsterdam

The year is 1933. In the aftermath of the First World War, wounded war veteran friends, Dr. Burt Berendsen, who employs unconventional methods, and attorney Harold Woodsman find themselves accused of murder when their shared clients, a United States senator and his daughter, die. The duo must uncover the true culprit behind the deaths and clear their names. “Amsterdam” is loosely based on real events surrounding the Business Plot conspiracy, where an attempt was made to overthrow U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and replace him with a dictator.

Published:

Ystävät, toverit

The director of a nickel mine, Arno Jurmala, is celebrating his birthday. The workers praise him in their speeches and international business partners have been invited to the party. But behind the scenes, there is another world, led by a ruthless man for whom everything is for sale: nickel, weapons, and women. If someone tries to plot against the autocrat, the traitor will pay with their life. The film is inspired by the Petsamo area, where a northern “wild west” emerged around a nickel mine in the late 1930s. Different nationalities, ruthless people seeking quick wealth, and spies from countries preparing for war met there.

The film was directed by Rauni Mollberg.

Starring: Kari Rydman Pekka Salo Seija Kiiski Timo Lehtonen

Jussi Awards: Best Set Design – Tom Hamberg

Published:

Milka

“Milka – A Film about Taboos” tells the story of a young girl awakening to her sexuality in a village community in Lapland. The film is based on Timo K. Mukka’s story “Tabu” (1965). On a personal level, Milka narrates the relationship between two women: a mother and her daughter. Ojanen, also known as Kristus-Perkele (Christ-Devil), a widowed mother’s helper, is a headstrong, independent laborer and skilled carpenter whom Milka admires. By impregnating Milka and making her a mother, he simultaneously ends both the girl’s childhood and the mother’s hopes of marriage with a new carpenter. When Ojanen disappears, a man takes his place in Milka’s life—a stable figure symbolized by a dark green overcoat and horn-rimmed glasses—the church organist, whom the mother has reluctantly accepted due to a lack of better options. With the arrival of the child and a new life, Milka’s relationship with the village community also undergoes changes.

Starring:
Irma Huntus
Matti Turunen
Leena Suomu

Jussi Award:
Best Producer – Rauni Mollberg

Published:

Maa on syntinen laulu

The film based on Timo K. Mukka’s controversial novel is simultaneously a naturalistic and lyrical depiction of life in Lapland, as well as a broader exploration of humanity and its absence. In “The Tenant,” a farmhand is stabbed at a dance, and the village holds a funeral. Martta takes care of the funeral’s coffee service and immediately becomes infatuated with Oula, a Lapp reindeer herder. During winter, the son of the Kurkela household courts Martta and persuades her to spend a night together. Disappointed by the experience, Martta cannot forget Oula. During the reindeer separation period, she meets Oula again, but their happiness faces several obstacles. The son of the Kurkela household is jealous, and Martta’s father believes Oula is an unworthy man with a string of illegitimate children with different women. Oula lures Martta into running away from home.

Jussi Awards:
Best Producer: Rauni Mollberg
Best Actor: Aimo Saukko
Best Direction: Rauni Mollberg
Best Cinematography: Kari Sohlberg

Starring:
Maritta Viitamäki
Pauli Jauhojärvi
Aimo Saukko
Milja Hiltunen

Published:

Lyrics and Lace

Directed by Matti Ijäs, this stark comedy portrays itinerant poets and the agony of creation.

In a television interview, Tane Lintunen confesses that instead of finding subjects, a poet stumbles upon them: ‘As my old friend Maestro says – when truth walks towards you, skin it.’

The man embarks on an eventful poetry tour with the debut poet Tomi Rusko (played by Mikko Reitala), who comes from a university background. The poets read their poems and give lectures at various events. Lintunen teaches his colleague to observe women.

Paavo Pentikäinen received the Best Actor Jussi Award for his role.

Starring:
Paavo Pentikäinen
Mikko Reitala
Kristiina Elstelä
Irma Junnilainen

Published:

Spandex Sapiens

The lonely son of a Canadian preacher man, Michael, builds the first professional boxing league far away in Finland. Transgender boxer Jessica joins, competing against Michael both physically and ideologically. Anger and frustration affect Michael, now 40 years old and still seeking a partner. He yearns for love, but first, he must learn not to hate. After finding true love online, Michael redefines his values and reinvents himself as a boxer in love.

Published:

Bordertown: The Mural Murders

At the Pasila train station, a mural painted in blood depicting Finland’s most notorious serial killer, Lasse Maasalo, is discovered on a concrete wall. The mural’s phrase “Let’s make the world a better place” connects to a social media poll about individuals whose absence would improve the world. Soon, the first body is found, and Detective Kari Sorjonen must uncover the person who has named themselves “The Judge.”

Published:

Odotus

Thirty-something Elli lives in an idyllic and secluded archipelago with her husband Mikko as the pandemic spreads worldwide. Elli’s life is shaken when her teenage love, Olavi, Mikko’s old college friend, arrives for a visit from France.

Published:

Täällä Pohjantähden alla

Artista Filmi Oy produced two feature films based on Väinö Linna’s ‘Under the North Star’ novels. The books constitute the Northern Star trilogy, narrating the realistic and humane story of the Koskela family. It traces the life of ordinary individuals amidst the significant European changes from the late 1800s to the Second World War, encompassing Finland’s independence and the Civil War. The narrative also focuses on the love story of Akseli Koskela and Elina Kivivuori. The book series was published between 1959 and 1962.

Published:

The Unknown Soldier

Finnish garrison gets an order and their machine gun company is transported to the eastern border – soon, war becomes a reality again.

Directed by Aku Louhimies, The Unknown Soldier is the third film adaptation based on Väinö Linna’s classic novel. It describes the journey of a Finnish infantry unit in the Continuation War, that lasted three years. The film tells the story of Rokka, Kariluoto, Koskela, Hietanen, and their comrades – how fellowship, humor, and the will to survive unite men on their journey there and back. The war revolutionized the lives of both individual soldiers and those left behind on the home front, leaving its mark on the entire nation.

The film received significant recognition, winning four Jussi Gala trophies: Best Sound Design, Best Leading Actor, Best Editing, and Best Makeup Design.