The drama film about Kaija Koo's life and career, Kaunis rietas onnellinen, will be released on 18.2.2026. The film stars actress Oona Airola, also known as a singer.

The film is written by TV and film screenwriter and author Ilona Ahti (Girls Girls Girls). Dramaturg Paula Vesala is a singer, songwriter, producer, actress and screenwriter.
The film will be directed by Selma Vilhunen (A Girl Named Varpu, A Foolish Young Heart, Four Little Adults, Do I Have to Take Care of Everything). The film is produced by Solar Films' Rimbo Salomaa, Anna Nuru, Markus Selin and Jukka Helle.

"My life has been full of great emotions and events that in all probability would not have been possible. This has been an insane and crazy trip! Here I am, upright, alive and ready to share my survival story with my fellow travellers. It's never too late to go for your dreams – dreams are achievable. This film is a spark of hope that won't go out. It's scary to put your life in the hands of others, but I trust this top team to brighten and make my story unique," says Kaija Koo.

The Kaija of the whole nation
The film tells the story of singer Kaija Kokkola, who, after going solo in the 1990s, became one of the most popular artists of pop and power ballads, the interpreter of the soul of the whole nation and Finnishness, Kaija Koo.
Kaunis rietas onnellinen follows Kaija's life and career, her music-making and the boom period sparked by the hit Kuka keksi rakkauden. Her albums sold gold, her concerts were sold out and Kaija became the biggest Finnish pop icon of our time. But not everything went like a fairy tale. At the same time, the artist struggled with many challenges, including a difficult relationship with her mother, the tragic death of her father, financial problems, her spouse's alcoholism, divorce, anxiety and fears. Through challenges and adversity, Kaija Koo eventually grew into a confident, courageous and determined woman and artist who achieved her wildest dreams and finally found freedom in her personal and professional life. Kaunis rietas onnellinen is a story of survival that was never meant to happen.

"Kaija is a completely unique artist. It's incredible that we have a 62-year-old female artist in Finland who rocks the roof from Tavastia to the biggest festival arenas. Humour, depth, sensitivity and incredible strength combine in her. Together with the team, we will do our best to tell the story of the person as an artist and also, behind the story," says Oona Airola, who is preparing for the role.

The idea of the film was born in 2021
The idea for the film was born in late 2021, when music producer Asko Kallonen contacted Solar Films producer Rimbo Salomaa.
"I was immediately inspired by the idea and quite soon we met with Asko and Kaija. I went to Kaija's gigs and we got to know each other. Right away, I was inspired by her personality, which is a strange mix of a great pop-diva and a vulnerable seeker. At no point did I doubt that her multifaceted life and artistic career would be an interesting subject and reason to be told through film. Initially I asked Ilona Ahti to write the script, then Selma Vilhunen was chosen as director, and Oona Airola as the lead. They have built a winning team around them, and I am looking forward to the shooting and the finished film", says producer Rimbo Salomaa, explaining the background to the film.

Filming of the movie will start in the Helsinki region in August. The other actors and roles will be announced later. The film will be distributed by Nordisk Film.