Introduction

Hiljaisuus (English: Silence) is a 2011 Finnish war docudrama film directed by Sakari Kirjavainen and set in winter and spring 1944, near the end of the Continuation War.

Outline

Starring Finnish actors Joonas Saartamo, Joanna Haartti, Lauri Tilkanen, Terhi Suorlahti, Ilkka Heiskanen, Sinikka Mokkila and Kari Hakala, the film details the life and times of the members of a specialized Finnish army unit, commanded by a priest, whose difficult and dangerous assignment is to recover dead soldiers from the front lines, prepare their often frozen bodies for burial, and deliver them to their hometowns and families for funeral and burial. The film covers the daily lives, romances, and intrigues of the soldiers and their civilian female helpers attached to the unit, including the extreme dangers connected with their jobs. Near the end of the film, the unit’s field morgue is about to be overrun; and the soldiers must take quick action to save their own lives and evacuate the growing collection of dead soldiers the unit are preparing for their final resting places.

Cast

• Joonas Saartamo … Eino Lahtela
• Lauri Tilkanen … Antti Salonen
• Terhi Suorlahti … Jaana
• Joanna Haartti … Siiri Virtanen
• Ilkka Heiskanen … Korpikangas
• Sinikka Mokkila … Kuppari-Miina
• Kari Hakala … Sotilaspastori Hiltunen
• Eeva Putro … Ilona
• Matti Onnismaa … Antin isä
• Harri Liuksiala … Nikolai
• Kari Ketonen … Tykkimies
• Eero Järvinen … Kuorma-autokuski

Trivia

• The film was nominated for seven 2012 Jussi Awards, Finland’s premier motion picture accolade; and won four:
  • Joonas Saartamo, Paras miespääosa (Best Actor);
  • Ilkka Heiskanen, Paras miessivuosa (Best Supporting Actor);
  • Olli Huhtanen and Pietari Koskinen, Paras äänisuunnittelu (Best Sound Design); and
  • Timo Hietala, Paras musiikki (Best Music).

Production & Filming Details

• Director(s):
  • Sakari Kirjavainen
• Producer(s):
  • Joonas Berghäll … producer
  • Alf Hemming … line producer
  • Petri Rossi … executive producer
• Writer(s):
  • Esko Salervo … (written by)
• Music:
  • Timo Hietala
• Cinematography:
  • Petri Rossi
• Editor(s):
  • Jukka Nykänen
• Production:
  • Cine Works
  • Yleisradio (YLE)
• Distributor(s):
  • Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures (Finland, 2011)(theatrical)
  • Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment (Finland, 2012)(Blu-ray, DVD)
  • Yleisradio (YLE) (Finland, 2014)(TV)
• Release Date: 09 December 2011.
• Running Time: 110 minutes.
• Rating: Unknown.
• Country: Finland.
• Language: Finnish.

Video Link(s)