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“Kalevala,” a compilation of epic poetry drawn from Karelian and Finnish folklore and mythology, is full of violence, but director Antti J. Jokinen – who has adapted the book for his film “Kalevala: The Story of Kullervo,” set in the 1100s and centering on the tragic hero Kullervo – has “no interest” in that.

“It won’t be a super violent film. We have fight sequences, the swords are heavy and the actors have been training for a year now. But it’s more interesting to show the impact violence has on people,” he tells Variety.

Jokinen has already dealt with a similar dilemma in “Purge,” taking on human trafficking and sexual cruelty. “I cut out a lot of [the violence] from the original book but its writer Sofi [Oksanen] was adamant: ‘Don’t clean it up too much.’ The violence towards women needed to be shown. This time, I had more freedom, because everyone...

Sf Studios is set to co-produce and distribute “Kalevala: The Story of Kullervo,” a big-budget historical drama based on Finland’s national epic “Kalevala” which will be directed Antti J. Jokinen.

Nordic stars Elias Salonen and and Eero Aho (“The Unknown Soldier”) are set to star in leading roles. Johanna Enäsuo and Marko Röhr, at ReelMedia are producing the film, while Sf Studios will distribute the film in the Nordics with an expected theatrical release in Finnish theaters in early 2026. REinvent has boarded international sales.

“Kalevala: The Story of Kullervo” marks the first feature film adaptation of the Finnish national epic poetry compilation “Kalevala” which blends Karelian and Finnish folklore and mythology, and was created in 1835 by Elias Lönnrot, a Finnish doctor and explorer.

Set in the 1100’s, the period film will be mainly shot on location in Bomba, near the Lake Pielinen in Nurmes in North Karelia. Extensive sets are being built,...

Nordic Crime Commission

C More has commissioned a second, six-episode season of ITV Studios Finland’s glossy detective drama “Helsinki Crimes” (aka “Harjunpää”). The first season of Helsinki Crimes became one of C More’s most-watched crime series to date. After its launch on Netflix last year, in regions across Cee, Benelux, Austria and the Nordics, the series was one of the top ten most-watched series, and the third most-watched in Finland.

In the new season, Chief Constable Timo Harjunpää, portrayed by Olli Rahkonen, and his murder team investigate bloody clashes between street gangs, love scams and a wave of burglaries.

The series is adapted from Matti Yrjänä Joensuu’s series of novels and is written for the screen by Harri Virtanen (“Deadwind”) and directed by Matti Kinnunen (“Cargo”).

The first season of Helsinki Crimes also sold to Australia’s Sbs On Demand, AMC Networks International’s SundanceTV in Spain,...

“Helsinki Crimes,” ITV Studios Finland’s contemporary Finnish detective series, has been sold to Australia’s Sbs On Demand, AMC Networks International’s SundanceTV channel in Spain and Walter Presents in Ireland and the U.K.

Oble, the Paris-based production and distribution company, co-produced and is repping “Helsinki Crimes” in international markets.

The series, which is based on the bestselling novels of award-winning Finnish writer Matti Yrjänä Joensuu, follows the journey of a renowned detective, Timo Harjunpaa, as he investigates a wave of serious crimes in present-day Helsinki, in the height of summer.

The eight-part glossy crime series, which has been modernized by ITV Studios Finland, has been a hit since it premiered on C More’s streaming service in February. Olli Rahkonen (“Olli Mäki”) stars as detective Timo Harjunpaa and Olga Temonen plays his partner Onerva Nykanen.

“’Helsinki Crimes’ is not your traditional police procedural. Harri Virtanen’s interpretation...

ITV Studios Finland and French production and distribution group Oble have partnered up on “Helsinki Crimes,” a new Finnish crime drama which will debut at Goteburg TV Drama Vision.

“Helsinki Crimes” is an eight-part crime series based on Matti Yrjänä Joensuu’s bestselling novels. Set in contemporary Helsinki in the height of summer, the series revolves around Timo Harjunpää (Olli Rahkonen), a popular detective known for his honesty and empathy for the victims, as well as the criminals. He and his partner Onerva Nykanen (Olga Temonen) are investigating a wave of murders taking place in Helsinki.

The show was produced by Maria Kangas and Pete Paavolainen at ITV Studios Finland and was commissioned by the broadcaster MTV3 and streamer CMore which are presenting the series at Goteborg’s TV Drama Vision. “Helsinki Crimes” will premiere later this year on CMore.

“There are many police procedural TV shows but there are...

Stars: Hannamaija Nikander, Jari Virman, Matti Onnismaa, Heikki Nousiainen, Pihla Penttinen, Jouko Puolanto, Santtu Karvonen, Alina Tomnikov, Ilari Johansson, Rami Rusinen, Olli Rahkonen | Written and Directed by Teemu Nikki

Although it’s not the biggest sub genre, Finnish horror has produced a few good movies. Lake Bodom had some success outside of it’s home country, Dark Floors (the Lordi film) was surprisingly fun) and Rare Exports is a movie I watch and enjoy every Christmas. So if Euthanizer turned out decent, it was in good company. It turns out much more than decent and Euthanizer has a lot to like about it. So lets begin with the performances because there’s not a bad performance from any member of the cast. But the three leads will will get most the praise and justifiably so…

Hannamaija Nikander plays the lead female Lotta. Definitely an odd character, Lotta enjoys the macbre side of life,...

Thanks to reader "Txus" for alerting me to this tease for a new biopic Tom. It's an unusual teaser in that the movie isn't even filming yet and isn't eyeing release plans until 2015. It's a preemie! Are they trying to drum up financial producer's interest (?) because audience interest won't work this far in advance; you can't purchase tickets two years ahead of time.

Still, I will say that the filthy smirk on actor Olli Rahkonen's face seems like a good match for the Man in question. Tom of Finland, for those of you who need a primer on gay history, was once not the name of a clothing line, but an infamous erotic cartoonist. Tom (Touko Laksonnen) was doing his X rated thing when being gay was still criminal pretty much everywhere.

The cheeky sexy teaser and more commentary is after the jump (and not safe for work)...