RESTLESS

Restless is the Käpy selän alla of the 21st century. When nothing feels right...

Directed by Aku Louhimies, the debut feature film Restless is a story of friendship, love, betrayal and growing up. "Restless is Käpy selän alla of the year 2000", producer Markus Selin defined the film near the premiere (28.1.2000) and made the phrase fly in the public eye. The film became a huge success in Finland and was sold to many countries around the world. Restless attracted over 290 000 admissions in Finnish cinemas, more than any other Finnish film in the same year. On 17 February 2002, the film's Television broadcast on Nelonen attracted a record number of viewers, over 900 000. Apart from Käpy selän alla (1966) and Restless, there have been only a few, if any, films in Finland dealing with the emotional problems of young adults.

The film stars Mikko Nousiainen (Going To Kansas City), Petteri Summanen (Isänmaan toivot, Studio Julmahuvi) and Valtteri Roiha in the male leading roles and Irina Björklund (Rukajärventie), Laura Malmivaara (Tähtilampun alla and Samaa sukua, eri maata) and Matleena Kuusniemi (Sydänten akatemia) in the female leading roles. In the supporting roles there are Samuli Edelmann, Vilma Melasniemi and Pertti Sveholm. The script was written by Aleksi Bardy (The Tough Ones) based on an original idea by Aku Louhimies and Bardy. The film was the final work of director Louhimies, screenwriter Bardy and editor Samu Heikkilä from the Department of Cinematography at the University of Art and Design. Heikkilä was awarded the Jussi prize for editing the film.

The most experienced member of the production team is Swedish-born Hollywood cinematographer Mac Ahlberg. His internationally best-known works include Bruce Willis' River Cops and Eddie Murphy's Beverly Hills Cop III. Before Hollywood, he made a name for himself working with Ingmar Bergman, among others. The powerful music for Restless was composed by Leri Leskinen, who was awarded with Jussis for the theme song and musical choices. The theme song was performed as a duet by Samuli Edelmann and Cata Mansikka-aho.

The film's soundtrack contained a unique selection of new music of its time and the album sold around 30 000 copies, a record for soundtracks in Finland.
Kerkko Koskinen wrote the song Heikko Valo (lyrics by Anni Sinnemäki) for Ultra Bra, while Swedish Kent and top Finnish artists such as HIM, Crash, Lemonator, Waltari, Jonna Tervomaa and Maija Vilkkumaa also made it to the soundtrack. Classics such as Eppu Normaali and Kaj Chydenius added their own musical dimension.

Synopsis

ARI, 27, (MIKKO NOUSIAINEN) works as an ambulance doctor at the Turku Rescue Department and enjoys one-night stands outside of work. He sees family life at the home of his colleague and friend Roope (SAMULI EDELMANN) and his wife Piia (VILMA MELASNIEMI). As a matter of principle, Ari doesn't see his women a second time for fear that commitment will lead to hurt, and Ari doesn't want to hurt anyone. Everything else is fine, but nothing in Ari's life feels right.

TIINA (LAURA MALMIVAARA) meets Ari on the beach and goes to Ari's home. Tiina falls for Ari and doesn't give up when Ari doesn't want to see her again. Ari makes an exception and goes on a date, and the relationship begins as if by magic. Tiina wants Ari to be her life partner, and proudly introduces Ari to her friends Ilona and Hanna-Riikka and their boyfriends, Stig (PETTERI SUMMANEN) and Riku (VALTTERI ROIHA). The six friends begin to spend the last, fun summer of their free youth.

ILONA (MATLEENA KUUSNIEMI) recognizes a kindred spirit in Ari. Ilona has been dating Stig since she was a teenager, more for companionship than love, and is soon to be married. Ilona is looking for variety and excitement.

HANNA-RIIKKA, a soon-to-be priest (IRINA BJÖRKLUND), finds out about Ari and Ilona's game. Hanna-Riikka is consumed by conflicting feelings about Ari. On the one hand, she is angry because Ari is hurting her friends. At the same time, she sees Ari as vulnerable and human. Hanna-Riikka challenges Ari to conversations, and discovers Ari's intellectual connection. Hanna-Riikka's truthfulness about the world fascinates Ari. When Ari's treacherous relationship is revealed, Ari's fears are realized: friendship turns to anger and Ari has hurt those who have cared for him most. Ari wanders until a reconciled Tiina takes him back into her care.

Autumn. Friends try once more to make up and get back together. But at Ilona and Stig's wedding, the pretence ends and the truth is revealed. No more curtains of grace descend on the stage of shame, but amid the blood and tears, Ari discovers that feeling is returning...

ROLES INCLUDE:
Ari – Mikko Nousiainen
Tiina – Laura Malmivaara
Stig – Petteri Summanen
Ilona – Matleena Kuusniemi
Riku – Valtteri Roiha
Hanna-Riikka – Irina Björklund
Roope – Samuli Edelmann
Piia – Vilma Melasniemi
Ari's mother – Eija Nousiainen