Paha maa (2005)

User Rating:

7.6/10   

Director:

Aku Louhimies

Writers:

Paavo Westerberg (screenplay) and
Jari Rantala (screenplay) ...
(more)

Release Date:

14 January 2005 (Finland)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

In the end things work out for the best for all of us.

Plot:

When a schoolteacher is sacked he projects his bad mood at his troubled teen son. He in turn buys a CD player from a pawnshop with counterfeit money...

Plot Keywords:

Counterfeit Money | Pawnshop | Car Salesman | Funeral | Domestic Violence

Awards:

17 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

Jasper Pääkkönen	...	Niko Smolander
Mikko Leppilampi	...	Tuomas Mikael Saraste
Pamela Tola	...	Elina Oravisto
Petteri Summanen	...	Antti Arhamo
Matleena Kuusniemi	...	Hannele Arhamo
Mikko Kouki	...	Isto Virtanen
Sulevi Peltola	...	Teuvo 'Teukka' Hurskainen
Pertti Sveholm	...	Pertti Smolander
Samuli Edelmann	...	'Jartsa' Matikainen
Saara Pakkasvirta	...	Kauppiaan äiti
Pekka Valkeejärvi	...	Kauppias
Susanna Anteroinen	...	Rehtori
Niklas Hellakoski	...	Konsta
Emilia Suoperä	...	Maria
Jonathan Kajander	...	Joonatan 'Jonttu' Arhamo
Paavo Westerberg	...	Oiva
Zoja Sazonov	...	Silja, strippari
Eija Koskimaa	...	Sirkku
Jerry Wahlforss	...	Macke
Nora Kajantie	...	Monica
Batu Fere	...	Samu
Miska Kaukonen	...	Masa
Jarmo Hyttinen	...	Puti (as Jami Hyttinen)
Janne Virtanen	...	Tuomaksen kuulustelija
Aleksi Mäkelä	...	Tuomaksen kuulustelija
Vesa Vierikko	...	Rikospoliisi Elinan kotona
Mats Långbacka	...	Rikospoliisi Elinan kotona
Laura Malmivaara	...	Sosiaalivirkailija
Markus Saano	...	Hannelen poliisipari, poliisi laitoksella
Martti Syrjä	...	Hannelen poliisipari
Mauri Heikkilä	...	Tuomaksen ukki Ville
Veli-Pekka Hänninen	...	Pappi
Mikko Rytkönen	...	Yövartija
Jani Nolvi	...	Tarjoilija
Kari Lahdenranta	...	Baarimikko
Amanda Löfman	...	Hotellin respa
Heikki Nousiainen	...	Poliisipsykiatri
Niina Nurminen	...	Syyttäjä
Ahti Hurmalainen	...	Puolustusasianajaja
Erkki Herola	...	Käräjätuomari
Maarit Ristaniemi	...	Marketin kassa
Eeva-Liisa Kotaniemi	...	Myyjä
Matti Ristinen	...	Antin psykiatri
Eija Mikkonen-Budsko	...	Huostaanottoviranomainen
Annu Uomala	...	Huostaanottoviranomainen
Iris Olsson	...	Nainen Iston naapuripöydässä
Sue Willberg	...	Nainen Iston naapuripöydässä
Petri Kylmänen	...	Oikeuslääkäri
Anna-Leena Härkönen	...	Päiväkodin hoitaja
Jouni Mutanen	...	Todistaja oikeudessa
Jarmo Perälä	...	Autokauppias Pete
Jari Rantala	...	Automyyjä
Tomi Natri	...	Automyyjä
Jaana Jokinen	...	Hurskaisen AA-kerhon vetäjä
Veikko Tiihonen	...	Hurskaisen AA-toveri Mauri
Margareta Hautaniemi	...	Nikon NA-toveri Jaana
Pentti Viljakainen	...	Pölynimurikauppiaan torjuja
Elina Ilomäki	...	Pölynimurikauppiaan torjuja
Maritta Ilomäki	...	Pölynimurikauppiaan torjuja
Alpo Nousuniemi	...	Pölynimurikauppiaan torjuja
Soraja Hagert	...	Pölynimurikauppiaan torjuja
Jaana Heino	...	Pölynimurikauppiaan torjuja
Vanessa Heino	...	Pölynimurikauppiaan torjuja
Mari-Anna Grönholm	...	Pölynimurikauppiaan torjuja
Matti Rönkä	...	TV-uutisten lukija
Markku Hyvönen	...	Kenttäjohtaja
Teemu Mäkelä	...	Krp:n tutkija
Tomi Jokivalli	...	Krp:n tutkija, poliisi laitoksella
Sakari Löytönen	...	Vanhempi konstaapeli
Mika Timmerheid	...	Ensihoitaja
Marco Juselius	...	Ensihoitaja, ambulanssimies kolaripaikalla
Samuli Vaittinen	...	Ambulanssilääkäri
Arttu Harkki	...	Tuomaksen vanginvartija
Petri Nevalainen	...	Tuomaksen vanginvartija
Risto Linnus	...	Mies poliisiautossa
Jari Leskinen	...	Mies parkkihallissa
Sanna Tuppurainen	...	Matikaisen sihteeri Saana
Netta Koskela	...	Oppilas Nikon luokassa
Samuel Laine	...	Oppilas Smolanderin luokassa
Asta Hannula	...	Hannelen tukihenkilö
Gustaf Schildt	...	Antin asianajaja
Anne Hukkanen	...	Toinen strippari
Kimi Seppänen	...	Poliisi ratapihalla
Taavo Jimmy Tiko	...	Poliisi ratapihalla
Janne Haapalahti	...	Poliisi laitoksella
Mikko Veijalainen	...	Poliisi kolaripaikalla
Santeri Salminen	...	Poliisi kolaripaikalla
Jukka Pöllänen	...	Ambulanssimies kolaripaikalla
Helvi Hatavara	...	Osto- ja myyntiliikkeen asiakas

Directed by
Aku Louhimies

Writing credits
Paavo Westerberg		(screenplay) and
Jari Rantala		(screenplay) and
Aku Louhimies		(screenplay)
Leo Tolstoy		story "False Coupon" (uncredited)

Produced by
Jukka Helle	....	executive producer
Jukka Kujala	....	post-production producer
Jussi Lepistö	....	marketing producer
Jussi Salonoja	....	executive producer
Markus Selin	....	producer

Cinematography by
Rauno Ronkainen

Film Editing by
Samu Heikkilä

Casting by
Tutsa Paananen
Pia Pesonen

Costume Design by
Tiina Kaukanen

Makeup Department
Juhana Hellamaa	....	hair stylist
Hannele Herttua	....	makeup designer
Tiia Jokivalli	....	hair stylist
Laura Rantaniemi	....	assistant makeup artist
Muru Ritala	....	makeup artist: mini unit

Production Management
Sirkka Rautiainen	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Jouni Mutanen	....	first assistant director
Pia Rickman	....	second assistant director

Art Department
Jukka Anttonen	....	construction coordinator
Teppo Haste	....	graphical props
Iina Heikkinen	....	props trainee
Juhana Ikäheimo	....	swing gang
Mauri Kuitula	....	swing gang
Kai Linnalaakso	....	swing gang
Otso Linnalaakso	....	assistant set designer
Antti Määttänen	....	assistant property master
Antti Määttänen	....	property master: mini unit
Pasi Mälkiä	....	swing gang
Timo Mänttäri	....	graphical props
Juulia Niiniranta	....	assistant props
Pirkka Poutanen	....	assistant props
Ahti Pursiainen	....	swing gang
Juha Pursiainen	....	swing gang
Kimi Seppänen	....	property master
Markus Serala	....	swing gang
Taina Sirola	....	props
Erkki Tikkanen	....	swing gang
Sattva-Hanna Toiviainen	....	set designer
Ritva Toivonen	....	poster designer
Juha Yrttimaa	....	swing gang (as Kettu Yrttimaa)
Päivi Surakka	....	assistant property master (uncredited)
Kalle Väistö	....	assistant property master (uncredited)

Sound Department
Samu Heikkilä	....	sound designer
Ilkka Kiukas	....	boom operator
Pietari Koskinen	....	sound editor
Pietari Koskinen	....	sound re-recording mixer
Pietari Koskinen	....	sound recordist
Janne Laine	....	sound designer
Mika Niinimaa	....	boom operator
Peter Nordström	....	foley artist
Olli Pärnänen	....	foley artist
Olli Pärnänen	....	sound mixer
Kirka Sainio	....	foley artist
Kirka Sainio	....	sound designer
Santtu Sierilä	....	boom operator
Ilkka Väisänen	....	boom operator

Visual Effects by
Tuomo Hintikka	....	visual effects
Petteri Linnus	....	visual effects

Stunts
Jouni Kivimäki	....	stunts
Reijo Kontio	....	stunt coordinator (as Reka Kontio)
Kristian Laakso	....	stunts (as Sheikki Laakso)
Vesa Laakso	....	stunts
Maiju Mustonen	....	stunts
Markku Uusikoski	....	stunts
H.-P. Virkki	....	stunts (as Harri-Pekka Virkki)
Tommi Virtanen	....	stunts

Camera and Electrical Department
Jan Granström	....	assistant camera: "a" camera
Jani Häkli	....	assistant camera
Risto Hämäri	....	extra lighting technician
Sanna Hedström	....	still photographer
Matti Helariutta	....	camera operator: "b" camera
Aki Karppinen	....	lighting technician
Petri Kiljunen	....	second camera assistant: mini unit
Harri Komulainen	....	grip assistant
Jani Lehtinen	....	gaffer
Markus Mäkilä	....	lighting trainee
Sami Mäntymaa	....	extra lighting technician
Kalle Penttilä	....	best boy
Antti Pirinen	....	lighting trainee
Antti Ruusuvuori	....	assistant camera: "b" camera
Karri Takala	....	gaffer: mini unit
Karri Takala	....	key grip
Jukka Talikka	....	Steadicam operator
Risto Tuominen	....	video assistant
Panu Tyhtilä	....	lighting technician: mini unit
Ville Väänänen	....	best boy

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Kata Launonen	....	costumer assistant

Editorial Department
Tuomo Hintikka	....	on-line editor
Petteri Linnus	....	on-line editor
Pasi Mäkelä	....	colorist
Sarri Seppä	....	assistant editor

Transportation Department
Risto Hämäri	....	vehicle advisor

Other crew
Svend Abrahamsen	....	film consultant
Maija Alho	....	police consultant
Jasmin Ali	....	production secretary
Antero Arjatsalo	....	script editor
Aleksi Bardy	....	script editor
Anu Brask	....	caterer
Stephen Chaloff	....	chef
Tommi Gröhn	....	film recordist
Anne Heinonen	....	police consultant
Janne Kokkonen	....	chef
Reijo Kontio	....	production arranger: Estonia
Mikko Kouki	....	assistant to director
Maija Lampinen	....	finance assistant
Petra Levi	....	caterer: miniunit
Vilma Levonmaa	....	runner (as Wilma Levonmaa)
Mirko Nieminen	....	computer programmer
Tista Nilsson	....	production coordinator
Sara Norberg	....	script supervisor
Pia Rickman	....	production coordinator: miniunit
Juha Rosma	....	film consultant
Kimi Seppänen	....	locations
Olli Soinio	....	film consultant
Enar Tarmo	....	production arranger: Estonia
Rampe Toivonen	....	chief publicist
Matti Tuominen	....	champagne fontaine

Thanks
Katju Aro	....	director's special thanks
Antti Jokinen	....	thanks
Timo Keinänen	....	thanks
Era Lahti	....	thanks
Kasperi Launis	....	thanks
Sakari Löytönen	....	thanks
Sara Melleri	....	thanks
Eppu Normaali	....	director's special thanks
J.P. Pesonen	....	thanks (as J-P Pesonen)
Ismo Pohjonen	....	thanks
Leo Tolstoy	....	director's special thanks (as Leo Tolstoi)
Markku Varhela	....	thanks

Production Companies

• Solar Films
• Yleisradio (YLE)

Distributors

• Yleisradio (YLE) (2007) (Finland) (TV)
• Birch Tree Entertainment (2005) (worldwide) (all media)
• Filmmuseum Distributie (2006) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• ICA Projects (2006) (UK) (theatrical)
• Buena Vista International Finland (2005) (Finland) (all media)
• Olive Films (2008) (USA) (all media)

Other Companies

• Adidas  thanks
• Boknäs  thanks
• Emporium  thanks
• Generator Post  post-production facilities
• Iittala oy ab  thanks
• Ivanahelsinki  thanks
• L'Oréal  thanks
• Lauritzon's  thanks
• Lundia  thanks
• Meguru Film Sound  sound post-production
• Nordisk Film- & TV-Fond  funding
• Pepe Jeans  thanks
• Programme MEDIA de la Communauté Européenne  funding
• Quicksilver  thanks
• Rittal  thanks
• Roolituspalvelu Oy  casting
• Suomen Elokuvasäätiö  funding
• Taidehallin Klubi  catering
• Turvakolmio  thanks
• Volyme  thanks

Also Known As:

Frozen Land (Finland) (alternative title) (Hong Kong: English title) (festival title) (International: English title) (USA)
Eisiges Land (Germany) (TV title) [de]
Frozen Land (Denmark) [da]
Frozen Land (Netherlands) (festival title) [nl]
Fruset land (Sweden) [sv]
Terra Congelada (Brazil) (festival title) [pt]

Runtime:

130 min | UK:132 min

Country:

Finland

Language:

Finnish

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Philippines:R-13 | Sweden:15 | Hong Kong:III | UK:18 | Netherlands:16 | Finland:K-15

Filming Locations:

Helsinki, Finland

Company:

Solar Films

Trivia:

There was severe disagreement on the final cut of this film. Director Aku Louhimies did not approve the edition, which Solar Films originally planned to release. On 2 December 2004 Louhimies filed Helsinki Municipal Court a cease and desist letter where he requests that Solar Films may not distribute the version he hasn't approved on threat of 300 000 euro fine. The situation was solved some days later, when Louhimies and producer Markus Selin agreed the dispute by making one more edition of the film, which satisfied both parties.

Movie Connections:

Version of L'argent (1983)

Soundtrack:

Lumottu maa

A somewhat sad movie about common destinies - in the Finnish scale.

Before I'd seen this movie I've heard a lot of praise about it and quite many exclamations about how "horrific" it was. Not to take any credit away from this movie, I think it wasn't all that horrible or even shocking. It's just a movie about people living in the darker side of the town. And a good one at portraying the point.

There's some great acting here and a well-thought of manuscript. Paavo Westerberg is a renowned writer in the Finnish movie scene and he's the best in what comes to describing the contemporary Finnish culture (albeit he's not the only one writer for this movie, but I dare say he's the main-writer anyway. Correct me if I'm wrong).

The casting is excellent, except for Jasper Pääkkönen (the pseudo-main character, who in my opinion should have stayed in the soap opera scene), and the sets, the cuts and sounds are very well done as well and give great atmosphere to this movie.

This movie is a story about loosely interconnected sad destinies that according to a famous Finnish band's very well known song (Eppu Normaali's "Tuhansien Murheellisten Laulujen Maa", which VERY roughly translated to "Paha Maa") throughout the whole Finnish society lead to a sad, dark end accompanied with booze, lonesomeness and the bad choices. And it's the side of everyday Finnish life about 80% of the population have no awareness of, unless movies like this are made.