93 Finnish Films in World Cinema

Shadows in Paradise

1986 • 74 min

Comedy, Drama, Romance

Nikander, a garbage collector in a busy city, wants to build a better life for himself. His plans are derailed when his business partner dies suddenly. Grieving and unsure of what to do, Nikander meets Ilona, a cashier at the…

7.3

7.4

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Niskavuoren Heta

1952 • 95 min

Heta, the determined daughter of the Niskavuori family, is pregnant and marries Akusti, a farmhand, while still harboring resentment towards Santeria, who hurt her. Heta and Akusti start their life together on the small Muumäki farm, with the help of…

5.7

6.7

Born American

1986 • 97 min

Three American students on a Finnish vacation accidentally cross into the Soviet Union and are quickly arrested after an altercation with Soviet soldiers.

3.9

4.3

17+

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Loviisa – Niskavuoren nuori emäntä

1946 • 88 min

The women in a close-knit community manage their land and responsibilities, while the men prioritize romantic pursuits.

5.2

6.9

One Man's War

1974 • 108 min

A man quits his factory job and liquidates his possessions to purchase an earth mover, launching his own business. He and his family travel from job site to job site. Work is scarce, and after enduring numerous difficulties, they are…

6.8

7.1

Reindeerspotting: Escape from Santaland

2010 • 84 min

Documentary

Reindeerspotting is a documentary following a group of young men in Rovaniemi, in the Arctic Circle, who engage in minor criminal activity and drug use. Jani, in particular, is haunted by a violent past – he lost five years of…

6.9

7.4

Tuomari Martta

1943 • 92 min

Martha struggles to juggle her career and family life. Her husband, Juho, and father-in-law, Kalle, believe a woman's primary role is at home with her child, not in the workplace. Only her mother-in-law, Ilona, supports Martha's ambitions for professional advancement.

4.0

5.1

Juha

1937 • 101 min

In 18th-century Eastern Finland, farmer Juha has taken in and married an orphan girl, Marja. A Karelian trader named Shemeikka visits the farm and begins pursuing Marja, enticing her to elope with him.

4.7

6.7

Niskavuoren naiset

1958 • 80 min

The film explores the clash between traditional ways of life and modern advancements.

4.2

5.7

Niskavuori taistelee

1957 • 96 min

This is the final film in the Niskavuori series, presented in black and white.

5.2

5.6

Kamome Diner

2006 • 102 min

Drama, Comedy

In a quiet Helsinki street, Sachie opens a diner specializing in rice balls. After a month with no customers, she soon gets her first one: Midori, a lanky Japanese tourist. Sachie invites Midori to stay with her.

7.4

7.2

Umur

2002 • 102 min

Umur is a love story deeply rooted in the landscape of Lapland. It follows Poika, a young border guard portrayed with sensitivity by Heikki Rantanen, as he develops a passionate love for Umuri, a mysterious woman from the region.

5.8

5.5

Rakkauden risti

1946 • 99 min

A lighthouse keeper's daughter flees with a businessman who survived a shipwreck, hoping for a new life in the city. Instead, she is forced to sell herself on the streets. A painter discovers her and sees in her the perfect…

5.5

6.9

Overseas and Under Your Skin

2009 • 86 min

Ida is a young woman adopted from Africa to Finland. An unemployed seamstress nearing thirty, she still lives with her mother, Kati, who wants to help her. Kati offers Ida a job, but encouraged by a friend named Ville, Ida…

4.0

5.2

Producing Adults

2004 • 102 min

Venla and Antero, a couple together for years, face a major disagreement. Venla wants to have a child, but Antero, concerned about how fatherhood would affect his speed-skating career, secretly has a vasectomy. Determined to become a mother, Venla consults…

5.1

6.1

The Song of the Scarlet Flower

1938 • 110 min

After a falling out with his father, Olavi departs his family farm and embraces a life as a womanizing logger.

5.7

6.8

The Unknown Soldier

1955 • 181 min

Drama, War

Summer 1941. A Finnish machine gun company is ordered to surrender their weapons, a routine task that quickly changes when they are unexpectedly sent to the front lines. The next morning, the soldiers face the stark reality of war as…

7.3

8.0

The Year of the Hare

1977 • 129 min

Vatanen, a young advertising executive, abruptly leaves his job and Helsinki to live in the Finnish wilderness. He befriends a wounded hare who becomes his companion. They seek solitude in Finnish Lapland, but their peace is disrupted by boisterous tourists…

7.3

7.5

Dog Nail Clipper

2004 • 105 min

During World War II, young soldier Mertsi sustains a permanent brain injury. In the late 1940s, he drifts through the Finnish countryside, needing assistance with everyday tasks. While working with a colleague named Ville, Mertsi hears about Ville's intelligent Spitz…

6.7

6.8

Vares: Private Eye

2004 • 95 min

Crime, Action

While pursuing a woman, Vares becomes entangled with dangerous figures in the criminal world who are searching for a fortune in hidden millions.

6.1

6.4

Inspector Palmu's Error

1960 • 109 min

Comedy, Crime

A renowned tycoon is found dead in his bathtub, prompting a complex investigation by Lieutenant Palmu. The wealthy world surrounding the tycoon's mansion hides a network of secrets and lies. Palmu must navigate the relationships and hidden agendas of those…

7.1

7.7

Jade Warrior

2006 • 105 min

Fantasy, Action

In ancient China, a man struggles against fate, yearning for a second chance to be with someone he loves. He unexpectedly finds that opportunity in modern-day Finland, transported to a different world and time.

5.0

5.8

13+

The Earth Is a Sinful Song

1973 • 108 min

Set in Finnish Lapland in the late 1940s, this is a raw and sensual story about young Martta and Oula, a charming but irresponsible reindeer herder. Their passionate affair leads to unexpected pregnancy. When Martta's father discovers the truth, he…

6.6

6.8

17+

The Man Without a Past

2002 • 97 min • Box office $921

Comedy, Drama, Romance

A man arrives in Helsinki and is brutally attacked by thugs, surviving only to wake up with complete amnesia. He starts over with no past, forming a bond with a stray dog and developing feelings for a Salvation Army volunteer.

7.4

7.6

13+

Skin, Skin

1966 • 89 min

This film follows four young people from Helsinki who embark on a summer camping trip to the countryside. It explores themes of youth, love's complexities, and the challenges of finding connection.

5.8

6.7

Star Wreck: In the Pirkinning

2005 • 103 min • Budget $16K

Science Fiction, Action, Comedy

Starwreck: In the Pirkinning follows Captain James B. Pirk and his crew, who arrive on 21st century Earth after their starship, the Kickstart, crashes. From a distant future, they journeyed to prevent an alien invasion but were stranded. Now, Pirk…

6.7

6.5

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The Flight Before Christmas

2008 • 80 min • Budget $6M • Box office $21M

Animation, Family, Adventure

Niko, a young reindeer, longs to fly like his father, a man he's never known. He faces ridicule from his peers but secretly seeks flying lessons from Julius, a flying squirrel, venturing out of his home valley to learn.

5.8

6.1

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The Village Shoemakers

1923 • 92 min

A rural comedy focusing on the schemes and maneuvers surrounding a country wedding. Based on a comedy by Alexis Kivi.

5.7

5.9

Täältä tullaan, elämä!

1980 • 118 min

Drama, Romance

In late 1970s Finland, three teenagers explore a world of energy and opportunity. Jussi, missing his parents, finds connection with his friend Pete through small crimes, pranks, and drinking. Meeting Lissu, a rebellious classmate, sparks a deep affection in Jussi…

5.3

6.8

The Boys

1962 • 106 min

In the summer of 1941, when the Continuation War began, German soldiers arrived in Oulu. They quickly captivated the town's women and young men with their charm. Finnish boys formed various connections with the Germans: conducting business, working as interpreters,…

6.8

7.1

Black on White

1968 • 96 min

Juha is a successful sales manager for a refrigerator company. He presents a picture of domestic perfection with his seemingly ideal family and stylish kitchen appliances, recently showcased in a magazine. However, beneath the surface, Juha is a womanizer and…

5.0

5.9

Under the North Star

2009 • 193 min

This film is based on Väinö Linna's novel and is set against the backdrop of the Finnish Civil War.

6.4

6.9

Restless

2000 • 111 min

Drama, Romance

Ari, a paramedic, prides himself on his casual approach to relationships, always seeking new partners for one-night stands. However, his routine is disrupted when he meets Tiina, and he unexpectedly falls in love.

5.0

5.6

Man's Job

2007 • 103 min

Drama

Juha, a 38-year-old father of three with a wife struggling with depression, considers himself a provider. His world is upended when he loses his job. Ashamed, he fabricates a story to conceal his unemployment from his family. He and his…

5.7

6.5

The Well

1992 • 108 min

Based on a true story, this intense drama follows a young mother in a remote rural setting who is accused of throwing her children down a well. Her husband, consumed by work, is oblivious to the emotional toll of her…

4.0

5.3

Niskavuori

1984 • 120 min

Ilona, a young teacher, comes to a village in Tavastia and develops a relationship with Aarne, the wealthy owner of the Niskavuori farm, who is unhappy with his marriage. Their love affair becomes known publicly. Aarne's wife, Martta, who owns…

6.0

6.2

The Winter War

1989 • 189 min • Budget $4M

Drama, War

The film depicts a difficult period in Finnish history: the 1939 Soviet attack on Finland. It follows a group of reserve soldiers from Kauhava, a town in the Finnish province of Ostrobothnia, as they leave their peaceful lives to enter…

7.0

7.5

Upswing

2003 • 99 min

Comedy

Katri and Janne embark on an unconventional journey, one their friends haven't taken before. Their destination is Jakomäki.

5.9

6.6

The Worthless

1982 • 119 min

Manne, Harri, and Ville are aimless twenty-somethings looking for meaning in their lives. When Manne steals a valuable painting from a gang of small-time criminals, he and Harri are forced to flee across Finland, while Ville goes to Paris. During…

6.2

7.3

If You Love

2010 • 123 min

Ada, the privileged daughter of a government minister, gets drunk and has a one-night stand with an immigrant, subsequently losing her memory. She begins a relationship with the immigrant's son, Toni, but their romance faces challenges when the truth about…

5.4

5.1

Plainlands

1988 • 129 min

This late-80s comedy, adapted from a novel by Antti Tuuri, finds its humor in the traditions of northern Finland. While some cultural familiarity might enhance the experience, the film's strong performances and beautiful Finnish summer setting are universally appealing. The…

5.8

7.2

Letters to Father Jacob

2009 • 76 min

Drama

Newly released from prison, Leila takes a job assisting a blind pastor, Father Jacob. She sees his work answering letters from people in need as futile. However, when the letters cease arriving, Father Jacob is deeply affected, and Leila unexpectedly…

7.2

7.3

The Unknown Soldier

1985 • 199 min

Drama, War

This film adaptation brings to life Väinö Linna's war story, written after he served as an infantryman in the Finnish army during the Continuation War (1941-1944). It presents a realistic and honest look at life on the front lines, exploring…

6.7

7.4

Vaimoke

1936 • 89 min

Esko bets he'll marry the first young woman he meets. That woman is Kirsti, who immediately rejects him. However, when she learns about the bet, she agrees to marry him as revenge.

5.2

6.2

Loma

1976 • 113 min

Aimo Niemi accidentally boards a charter plane to Rhodes, Greece, instead of Innsbruck, Austria, where he was supposed to attend the Winter Olympics. In the early days of package tourism, Aimo is overwhelmed and unable to handle his predicament. He…

5.6

6.4

Akseli and Elina

1970 • 137 min

After a long imprisonment for his role in the Finnish Civil War, a former Red Rebellion leader returns to his hometown. He soon discovers that the mindset of wartime is still deeply ingrained in the people.

6.4

6.9

Scarlet Week

1954 • 79 min

Following a weekend of dancing and camping on an island close to the city, a young factory worker decides to skip work. Exploring the deserted island, he encounters a beautiful woman camping alone, sunbathing nude on the beach. A passionate…

5.5

6.7

Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale

2010 • 83 min

Fantasy, Horror

In arctic Finland, young Pietari lives with his father, who herds reindeer. On Christmas Eve, a local excavation unearths something terrifying, releasing an evil Santa Claus.

6.2

6.6

17+

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+16

The 3 Rooms of Melancholia

2004 • 106 min

This film offers a stark look at the ongoing Chechen conflict, told through the experiences of students at a Russian military academy, residents of a devastated town, and children in a refugee camp.

7.3

7.2

Sauna

2008 • 83 min • Budget $1M

Horror

1595. Following brutal wars, a fragile peace exists between Protestant Sweden and Orthodox Russia. The story centers on two Finnish brothers, both spiritually wounded by defeat. One is a ruthless war hero, bordering on psychopathic; the other, a gentle scientist,…

6.2

Pohjalaisia

1925 • 118 min

Set in 19th-century Ostrobothnia, the story follows Jussi, a passionate young farmer, and his friend Antti as they navigate conflicts with the local sheriff and a gang of outlaws. Filmed on location in the Ostrobothnian plains, the movie vividly captures…

6.3

5.9

The Moonlight Sonata

1988 • 86 min

Fashion model Anni Stark escapes the industry for a relaxing vacation in Finnish Lapland. She soon discovers a group of eccentric locals living in a remote farmhouse. Her peace is shattered when one of the residents begins to stalk her,…

5.7

6.2

Falling Angels

2008 • 102 min

Helena, daughter of two celebrated writers, strives to maintain her father’s legacy by sharing his poems. Her relationship with her mother has suffered since Helena moved to Sweden, and she holds her mother responsible for her father's absence. When Helena's…

5.8

6.2

Forbidden Fruit

2009 • 104 min

Two 18-year-old girls from a strict Christian community leave home for a summer job in the city.

6.3

Backwood Philosopher

2009 • 110 min

Philosopher Konsta Pylkkänen leads a team of researchers into the Finnish wilderness, seeking inspiration. During a hunt for a rare bird, a cross between a hazel grouse and a capercaillie, he unexpectedly makes a scientific discovery.

5.8

6.7

Kulkurin valssi

1941 • 105 min

St. Petersburg, 1830. A Finnish baron defeats a Russian officer in a card game, sparking intense resentment. The situation escalates as both men are pursuing the same woman. They resolve to settle their dispute with a duel, which the baron…

5.0

6.2

Dark Floors

2008 • 87 min • Budget $4M

Fantasy, Horror

A father and his autistic daughter, along with three others, exit a hospital elevator only to discover they are trapped inside with malevolent creatures.

4.9

4.4

17+

Vesku from Finland

2010 • 102 min

"Vesku from Finland" is a film about Vesa-Matti Loiri, known as Vesku, who is widely considered Finland's most beloved film and television comedian. He's had a successful career as a singer, performer, writer, and athlete. Loiri has released numerous albums…

6.2

6.7

Under the North Star II

2010 • 138 min

Akseli Koskela is released from prison and struggles to readjust to life. Restricted from political involvement, he witnesses widespread injustice. He builds a family with his wife Elina, all while a new war looms on the horizon.

7.0

6.9

Here, Beneath the North Star

1968 • 186 min

*Täällä Pohjantähden alla* is based on the novel of the same name. It tells the story of a small village, spanning from the 1890s to the Finnish Civil War of 1918. The film primarily focuses on a tenant farmer family,…

6.8

7.5

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Thomas

2009 • 73 min

Thomas, a widower and former doctor, lives a solitary life in a Helsinki basement apartment. His already limited routine shrinks further with the death of his misanthropic brother, leaving him with very little human contact. Like many elderly people, he's…

7.2

7.0

The Last Wedding

1995 • 91 min

Pekka returns to his village of Jerusalem for the final wedding of the season, feeling his own marriage has stalled. As the villagers prepare for the celebration, the full range of human experience – happiness and sadness alike – is…

5.8

6.6

Frozen Land

2005 • 133 min • Budget $2M

Drama

Fired from his teaching job, a man takes out his frustration on his difficult teenage son. The son responds by acquiring a CD player using counterfeit money. This act sets off a series of unfortunate events, as each person affected…

6.7

7.4

Friends, Comrades

1990 • 132 min

Jurmala, a cheerful nickel mine owner, remains remarkably optimistic despite the turmoil of the Finnish battles and World War Two. He greets everyone, regardless of their allegiance in the conflict, with a friendly "Friends, Comrades." The nickel he extracts is…

5.0

5.7

Uuno Epsanjassa

1985 • 105 min

Uuno Turhapuro is looking for work and enrolls in a tour guiding course. He lands a job at a small travel agency and leads a group of Finnish tourists to Marbella, Spain. His father-in-law, Tuura, his wife’s parents, and Uuno's…

5.7

6.1

Black Ice

2007 • 107 min

Saara, a doctor in her middle years, discovers her architect husband Leo is having an affair with a younger woman named Tuuli. Instead of confronting them directly, Saara assumes a false identity and befriends Tuuli, all while secretly plotting her…

5.1

6.7

The Year of the Wolf

2007 • 102 min

Sari is a bright and beautiful university student living with epilepsy, constantly facing life-threatening challenges. Mikko is a somewhat older, world-weary teacher who chooses to leave his family and the life he thought he wanted. Both have long been afraid…

5.8

6.1

The Collector

1997 • 98 min

Feeling trapped and unfulfilled, Eevi flees her current life, leaving a trail of disruption behind her. She has decided to assert her independence completely.

5.5

6.7

Eight Deadly Shots

1972 • 145 min

A small farmer, Pasi, shoots four police officers who arrive to arrest him for being drunk. The film then unfolds as a lengthy flashback, detailing the events that led to this tragic act. We see Pasi gradually overwhelmed by poverty,…

7.7

8.2

Land of Love

2003 • 92 min

This is a comedy about a Finnish man who falls in love and becomes increasingly entangled in a web of deception. He eventually discovers that he has changed his name, nationality, and even his skin color – all for the…

4.6

5.6

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Geography of Fear

2000 • 95 min

After her sister is assaulted, Oili, a young forensic dentist, connects with a group of women who have decided to fight back against the pervasive fear of abuse. They are taking action to end their vulnerability.

4.1

5.6

Korkein voitto

1929 • 89 min

Baron Henrik von Hagen, burdened by debt and with a fondness for pleasure, discovers his former lover, Russian ballerina Madame Vera Vasiljevna, is coming to Finland. Their reunion reignites old passions. However, Vasiljevna's new pursuit creates complications for their rekindled…

5.4

5.9

Soldier's Bride

1938 • 97 min

During a train ride, Jaeger Corporal Martti falls for Sabina, a dancer from Liivi, who is also being courted by Baron Rolf. The world of espionage and war creates complications for the developing relationship between the captivating dancer and the…

4.0

5.7

Tilinteko

1987 • 72 min

Nieminen and Varjola rob a mail van together. Varjola then shoots Nieminen and keeps the money for himself. Nieminen is arrested, but he won't say who helped him. While on a brief prison leave, Nieminen unexpectedly finds Varjola, who is…

6.0

The White Reindeer

1952 • 68 min • Budget $33K

Fantasy, Horror

The film follows a newlywed woman living with her husband in an Arctic reindeer herding village. His frequent trips leave her feeling isolated and emotionally unfulfilled. Seeking comfort, she visits a local shaman who gives her a powerful potion said…

6.6

6.9

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+15

Insiders

1989 • 107 min

While researching a story on yuppie culture, an afternoon newspaper reporter inadvertently records sensitive information. The story highlights the hallmarks of the yuppie lifestyle: luxury cars, expensive boats, and cutting-edge mobile phones. However, a murder within this exclusive group brings…

3.1

4.6

Jouluksi kotiin

1975 • 90 min

Urho Suomalainen, a construction worker, and his wife Sirkka, a factory worker, long for a house of their own, escaping their small apartment with their two children. Urho begins building it himself, starting with logging and milling timber. During construction,…

5.8

6.2

The Butterfly from Ural

2008 • 27 min

A celebrated war hero leaves his wife and begins a new relationship with Ural.

3.5

5.9

Pikajuna pohjoiseen

1947 • 91 min

On a train journey from Helsinki north, passengers from all walks of life find their paths crossing. A series of unfortunate events unfolds, one after another.

3.8

6.2

Ei ruumiita makuuhuoneeseen

1959 • 104 min

Two Finnish private investigators are pursued by a criminal organization that specializes in counterfeiting banknotes, operating between Malaga, Finland, and Mallorca. The gang desperately seeks the printing plates used to produce the fake money, and the investigators must evade them.…

4.3

5.4

One Foot Under

2009 • 101 min

Visa Vuorio, a 35-year-old team leader in Helsinki's city gardening department, has a terminal neurological disease and is given only a few months to live. He attends a support group for people with terminal illnesses. Visa’s life takes a turn…

4.2

5.6

Kaunis Veera eli ballaadi Saimaalta

1950 • 82 min

During Russian rule in Finland, the Tar Steam Princess Armada makes regular voyages to St. Petersburg and back on Lake Saimaa. The ship's crew replaces their complicated coffee maker with Veera, a Roma girl who fled an arranged marriage. On…

3.3

5.8

Tukkipojan morsian

1931 • 95 min

Eetu, a wealthy homeowner, tries to seduce Leena Kosken. However, at midsummer dances, Leena falls for Erkki, a simple log boy. Consumed by jealousy, Eetu manipulates the villagers into turning against Erkki and the Tukki people.

5.0

4.7

Silmät hämärässä

1952 • 80 min

A troubled writer checks into a hotel and observes four men in a building across the street. He begins writing their life stories, each man having experienced a deeply impactful event. The four men eventually connect and begin planning a…

7.0

5.5

The Women of Niskavuori

1938 • 84 min

Aarne marries Martta because his mother insists it's his responsibility as the oldest son to marry a woman with money. But his life changes when the charming schoolteacher Ilona comes to the village, and he finds himself falling for her.

5.0

6.4

Hei kliffaa hei

1985 • 101 min

This film draws its characters from the sketches of the Mänttien TV station, originally part of the Spede Show.

4.4

4.9

Anna-Liisa

1922 • 70 min

Anna-Liisa is hiding a secret. Three years ago, she killed her baby with Mikko, the longtime farmhand of Kortesuo. Now she's marrying Johannes, but her past catches up to her when Mikko unexpectedly returns.

6.2

The Visitor

2008 • 105 min

In the remote Finnish countryside, a young boy and his mother live a simple life on a farm surrounded by forest. The boy occasionally visits his father, a violent man incarcerated in prison. His only companion is a wild horse…

6.2

Run Sister Run!

2010 • 112 min

Emilia is a responsible teenager who always prioritizes her schoolwork and younger sister, Elsa. Siiri, just a year older, is very different from Emilia. Their friendship brings about a transformation in Emilia's life. Siiri encourages her to be bolder, challenge…

5.2

5.5

Time of Roses

1969 • 111 min

In 2012, historian Raimo Lappalainen aims to depict life in the 1970s. He becomes fixated on the story of Saara Turunen, a nude model from that era, and discovers an actress who perfectly embodies her. Together, they plan to recreate…

4.8

6.0

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+12

Niskavuoren Aarne

1954 • 91 min

Niskavuori (Arne from Niskavuori) is a 1954 Finnish drama film, the fourth in a series based on Hella Wuolijoki's play, Niskavuori's Bread. Aarne has married Ilona and moved away from his ancestral home, Niskavuori, where his former wife Martta remains…

5.8

6.0

Christmas Story

2007 • 83 min

Fantasy, Family

In 19th-century Lapland, young Nikolas is orphaned after a family tragedy. The villagers take him in, but each Christmas, he moves to a new adoptive family. To express his thanks, Nikolas begins crafting toys as farewell gifts. Over time, he…

7.2

7.1

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People in the Summer Night

1948 • 66 min

Over the course of a single summer night in a rural Finnish community, the film explores the interconnected lives of its residents. We witness births, deaths, and conflicts intensified by alcohol. The fates of lumberjacks, a young man named Nokia,…

6.0

6.6