THE SOUTH

The feature film produced by Solar Films has the title The South. It is a comedy of crime, romance and deception played out against the background of a vacation under the Mediterranean sun.

A pastiche of different genres, the best description of the film would be “romantic thriller”. Principal photography commenced in April 2000, with one week in Finland, followed by six shooting weeks in Spain and a wrap by mid-June 2000.
The producer is Markus Selin and the director Aleksi Mäkelä. Leading roles are played by Juha Veijonen and Outi Mäenpää (awarded best leading actress), with Samuli Edelmann in a key supporting role. The screenplay is written by a recent Venla-award winner Venla Mäkelä and the DP is the director´s long-time collaborator Pini Hellstedt.

The movie premiered first  December 2000 in over 30 cities in Finland.

SELECTED CAST
Jussi – Juha Veijonen
Lena – Outi Mäenpää
Siiri – Kärt Tomingas
Samuli – Samuli Edelmann
Tero, 10 v – Karri Termonen
Tero, 8 v – Ossi Tikkanen
Man with the briefcase – Pekka Huotari
Boss – Tapio Kouki
Salesman in jewelry store – Asko Sarkola
Barkeeper – Vesa Mäkelä
Dentist’s assistant – Tiina Pirhonen
Airport official – Nora Lähteenmäki
Tourist guide – Kari Hietalahti
Jenny – Meri-Kris Jaama
Waiter – Jaume Mas Gomis
Manuel – Antonio Oviedo
Receptionist – Igor Legube
Seller in jewel store – Adrián Ingold
Jenny’s mother – Jonna Järnefelt
Newsreader’s voice – Leena Kaskela

PREMIERE
1.12.2000

DIRECTOR
Aleksi Mäkelä

PRODUCER
Markus Selin

SCREENWRITER
Venla Mäkelä

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Pini Hellstedt

PRODUCTION DESIGNER
Risto Karhula

SOUND DESIGNER
Jyrki Rahkonen

MUSIC
Hannu Korkeamäki

FILM EDITOR
Kimmo Taavila