The Hijack That Went South

A hijack that stopped whole Finland. A tragicomical story of the only airplane hijack in Finland, where nothing worked out like it was supposed to…

He is dressed to a tight leather coat, horn-rimmed glasses and typical 70’s trousers. He is donning a short hairdo, like a pedantic man should. He has called his wife from the airport. Everything is ready. His next move – he plans to hijack an airplane.

A failed businessman from Oulu, Aarno Lamminparras, is facing a tough choice. His reputation has been tarnished as his business ventures have been ill-fated; he is bitter to the whole society. His marriage is struggling; his wife has had enough of his rollercoaster mood changes and lately, almost paralysed hopelessness. Aarno has lost his interest in everything. Semi-forced by his wife, Aarno decides to try one more time and travels to Helsinki, in order to try to find a job.

“You should do something, sometimes”

He embarks on his journey on Good Friday, 1978, but not with flying colours. Aarno keeps on calling his wife, just to tell her that he’s not in the airport bus, yet. And when he finally boards the bus, the engine breaks down. It is a tough morning all around; the primadonna adult pop singer Minea Raspi is driving everyone around the bend with her whims, the new security technology at the airport is acting up. The sweating Lamminparras calls his wife one more time from the airport, only to hear her final words: “You should do something, sometimes…”

The hijack stops the whole country

When the flight AY405 from Oulu to Helsinki takes off, little do the five-member crew and the passengers know what sort of Easter holiday they’re facing. The first hijack in the history of Finland stops the whole country – including the highest authorities of the state – and there is no telling if things are going to end well…

As Lamminparras keeps the plane flying back and forth in northern Europe, he is pushing the crew to the limit and demanding an enormous ransom. It is the 70’s; the cash is hard to find during the Easter. The information technonogy is limited to landlines, the whole concept of hijack in unknown to the operating procedures and manuals to the security and airline officials.

And the news-thirsty media, the authorities and the Minister of Transport all add their own icing on the chaotic cake – not to mention the wife, who is shocked to hear that her husband is a hijacker…

Time to pay

As he holds the whole country in his grip, Lamminparras gets to experience what power and limitless possibilities feel like, for the first time in his life. But he also has to decide, what is the price he’s willing to pay for that.

Kari Hietalahti, the man in the leading role

The Hijacker Aarno Lamminparras is Kari Hietalahti’s debut in a leading role. It is tailor-made for Hietalahti, who is known for his abilities to combine tragedy and comedy.

Kari Hietalahti, an actor and a screenwriter, was born in Savonlinna 13th of September, 1964. His career had a kickstart in the 90’s in TV series “The Rascals”, directed by Aleksi Mäkelä, where he starred with Jussi Chydenius, Samuli Edelmann, Janus Hanski, Santeri Kinnunen, Niko Saarela and Juha Veijonen. Hietalahti has an Master’s Degree in Theatrical Arts from the Tampere University. He was a regular of the KOM Theater in 1985-1998 and has been a freelancer ever since.

Besides acting, Hietalahti has written several TV series. Hietalahti has also written books and made several TV programs about his most beloved hobby, sports fishing.

Before The Hijack That Went South, Hietalahti’s most remarkable movie role was in HELLSINKI, where his performance in a supporting role was acclaimed. Hietalahti has appeared in all Mäkelä’s feature films. Altogether, he has starred in over 30 movies, being one of the most popular supporting actors in Finland.

Hietalahti is also known and enormously popular from his work on TV, where he has starred in various hit series. He has also a veteran of voice acting and commercials.

STARRING
Aarno Lamminparras – KARI HIETALAHTI
Captain Rajapaltio – AAKE KALLIALA
Co-pilot Snock – JUSSI VATANEN
Attorney at law Marttinen – HANNU-PEKKA BJÖRKMAN
Flight attendant Ylppö – ELINA KEINONEN
Flight attendant Kananen – MERJA LARIVAARA
Flight attendant Omenainen – MAIJA JUNNO
Air-traffic controller Molander – VILLE MYLLYRINNE
Air-traffic controller Karppi – TOMMI LISKI
Inspector Merivaara – PEKKA VALKEEJÄRVI
Minea Raspi – PIRJO LONKA
Minea’s manager Huopanen – JUHO MILONOFF
Minister of transport – MIITTA SORVALI
Her executive assistant – ARMI TOIVANEN
Wife of Lamminparras – PIRJO MÄÄTTÄ
Air-traffic controller in Oulu – PEKKA HUOTARI
Sergeant Lönnroth – TONI WAHLSTRÖM
Ranin – SANTTU KARVONEN
Old lady Skrof – EVA-LIISA HAIMELIN
Teenager girl – SUSANNA LEHTINEN
Girl in love – KERLI KYLLÖNEN
Boy in love – PAAVO KINNUNEN
Swedish woman – RITA POLSTER
Swedish man – GÖRAN SCHAUMAN
Bis driver – MIKA NUOJUA
Security inspectors – RISTO KOPPERI, VINTTE VIITANEN
Bowlers – MATTI ONNISMAA, MIKKO KAUKOLAMPI, ARTO KUPARINEN
Tv-reporter – KONSTA MÄKELÄ
Kekkonen – TERO JARTTI
Aide-de-camps – JUKKA PELTOLA, SAMI LOPONEN
Kalevi Sorsa – PASI TOIVANEN
Paavo Väyrynen – JARKKO TAMMINEN
Assistant – HEINI KALLIO
Interpreter – LIUBOV MULLARI
Russian officials – PASI NISKANEN, PASI TAPANAINEN
Wife’s workmate – MARIT MATTILA
Her son – EELI HÄMÄLÄINEN
English reporter – JONNI AHO
Swedish reporter – PETTERI AHOMAA
Taxi driver – MIKKO ERÄ-ESKO
SOS village representer – HEIKKI VILJA
Veteran representative – JARI SAARMAN
Newspaper representative – RAMPE TOIVONEN
Barkeeper at the airport – ASTA AALTO
Traffic warden – SIRKKA RAUTIAINEN
Airport official – SUVI MUSTONEN