THE FILM
UNKNOWN SOLDIER by AKU LOUHIMIES is the story of an infantry unit’s tour of duty that lasts for more than three years during the Finnish Continuation War. The film is based on the classic novel by VÄINÖ LINNA. The film is the story of Rokka, Kariluoto, Koskela, Hietanen, and their brothers-in-arms. It shows how friendship, humour, and the will to live unite these men on their way there and back. The war changes the lives of each of the soldiers as well as the lives of those on the home front, and also leaves its mark on the entire nation.
Director: Aku Louhimies
Producers: Elokuvaosakeyhtiö Suomi 2017 Oy, Aku Louhimies, Mikko Tenhunen, and Miia Haavisto
Screenwriters: Aku Louhimies and Jari Olavi Rantala
Premiere: October 27, 2017
Duration: 2 h 59 min
Rating: K-16 (13)
Actors
"Mis sie tarvitset oikei hyvvää miestä. Täs siul on sellanen."
ROKKAEero AhoEero Aho has been an actor with Helsingin Kaupunginteatteri and the Finnish National Theatre. In 2008 he was named Best Male Actor at the Marrakech film festival for his role in the film Tears of April. In 2014 he won the Jussi Award for Best Male Actor for his role in the movie 8-ball, and in 2015 he received the Ida Aalberg Foundation’s Actor Award. Eero Aho is sergeant in the Finnish Army Reserve.
KARILUOTOJohannes HolopainenJohannes Holopainen’s first role in television was in the TV series Sydänjää, and has also acted in such films as Twisted Roots (2009) and Juoppuhullun päiväkirja (2012). Holopainen graduated with a Master in Theatre Art from Helsinki Theatre Academy in May 2013.
KOSKELAJussi VatanenJussi Vatanen graduated with a Masters in Theatre Art in Spring 2005. He is mainly known of his lead roles in the Lapland Odyssey films, for which he has twice been nominated for Best Male Lead in the Jussi Awards. Vatanen has also won the Kultainen Venla award twice. Jussi Vatanen holds the military rank of sergeant in the Finnish Reserves.
DIRECTOR
Aku Louhimies
DIRECTOR, WRITER, PRODUCER
Aku Louhimies, the director, writer, and producer of UNKNOWN SOLDIER, has directed nine feature films. His works include the European Film Award candidates 8-Ball (2013) and Naked Harbour (2012), and the winner of eight Jussi Awards Frozen Land (2005). Other films by Louhimies include Tears of April (2008) set in 1918, Frozen City (2006), Man Exposed (2006), Lovers and Leavers (2002), and Restless (2000). Louhimies also directed the popular award-winning tv-series Irtiottoja (2004). His English-language debut was Rebellion (2016), a five-part series shot in Ireland, depicting the painful events that led to the independence of Ireland, leaving their mark on the whole nation. Louhimies, who has been awarded the Jussi Award for Best screenplay (Frozen Land) and two Jussi Awards for Best Director (Frozen City and Frozen Land), was also one of the writers of The Eternal Road which premiered in 2017. The book Aku Louhimies — Elokuvaunelmia (Like, 2017) by non-fiction author SATU JAATINEN examines the director’s career from Restless to The Unknown Soldier.
“I hope that this film unites generations and helps people find new perspectives on where we Finns have come from. It is a great honor to make this kind of film for Finland’s 100th anniversary.”
Picture: Juha Mustonen
News
Stay tuned to the news from the front.
Unknown Soldier expands into BalticsThe war epic and most successful release in Finland premiered in Tallin, EstoniaThe Finnish blockbuster World War II drama, UNKNOWN SOLDIER (Tuntematon sotilas, 2017) by Aku Louhimies expands its internat...Read more
UNKNOWN SOLDIER makes all time box office record in Finland with over one million spectatorsAku Louhimies’ historic War Drama leaves behind Star Wars and Bond moviesUNKNOWN SOLDIER (Tuntematon sotilas, 2017), a 2nd World War Drama directed by Aku Louhimies, has reached 1 011 800 spectator...Read more
UNKNOWN SOLDIER by Aku Louhimies seen by 521,076 moviegoersThe film crossed the magical half a million viewers mark during its third week in the theatersOver the Father’s Day weekend, UNKNOWN SOLDIER brought 85,975 viewers into the theaters.Read more
Partners
This production would not be possible without the commitment from these companies, organisations and individuals. Thank you.
Main Partners
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Partners
Service Partners
Made possible by
- LähiTapiola-ryhmä
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- Jenny ja Antti Wihurin rahasto
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Niko Derome- |
Mikko Kodisoja- |
Ilkka Paananen- |
Jari Ovaskainen- |
Ari Lahti- |
Ari Tolppanen- |
Petteri Koponen- |
Timo Ahopelto- |
Vesa Aittomäki- |
Jarkko Joki-Tokola- |
Antero Parma- |
Veli-Matti Riihimäki- |
Jukka Ylitalo- |
Ilkka Brotherus- |
Mikko LeinoKey Partners
Supported by
The film is distributed in Finland by SF Studios.
World sales is handled by Beta Cinema.
Co-producers are Scope Pictures and Kvikmyndafélag Íslands.
UNKNOWN SOLDIER is part of the Finland 100 anniversary program.
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