Published:
Kuningas lähtee Ranskaan
A domestic historical adventure film based on Paavo Haavikko’s book of the same name. The story is set in future England, on the brink of a new ice age, fighting against total freezing as all energy sources have been depleted. Desperation spreads, and a young king decides to use his last resort to prevent the loss of power and the spread of anarchy. He declares war on France and sets out to follow in the footsteps of King Edward, who made a similar campaign six hundred years earlier. Initially, the campaign progresses smoothly, and Calais is conquered without much difficulty. Eventually, however, the ice age catches up with the troops, who suffer from the cold and thirst, and even the frozen wine offers no comfort.
The film emphasizes humanity’s recurring historical mistakes and how people fail to learn from history, repeating the same errors over and over again. It portrays the absurdity of human behavior, violence, and the abuse of power, along with the destructive consequences of these actions.