Matti – Hell is for heroes

Aleksi Mäkelä and Jasper Pääkkönen were abroad together in both autumn 2001 and autumn 2003 and, due to similar circumstances, had similar conversations on both occasions. The subject was a film about Matti Nykänen, and the director thought that Jasper, the original father of the idea in Aleksi's opinion, even began to look like Matti during the latter trip to Germany. That was a good reason to take the next plane to France. The duo sat Markus Selin down at the same table in Cannes in the middle of filming Millionaire Jussi and asked: "Can we make a film about Matti?" "If you still agree in the morning, we will," Selin replied after a moment's hesitation.

The producer was true to his word. The film deal between Matti Nykänen and Solar Films was signed the next day. The project, which had begun at a fast pace, unexpectedly stalled the following summer. After months of work, the first scriptwriter withdrew and left the table clean.

Marko Leino saved

Marko Leino's quick agreement in autumn 2004 saved the day and he immediately got on the same track with the director. The production then progressed at a good pace towards its premiere. Once all the elements were in place after filming, the filmmakers felt they had succeeded in their endeavours. Jasper Pääkkönen, a fine actor, transforms himself into the character of the script, Matti Nykänen, with his gestures and facial expressions. The performers of the supporting roles are all absolutely excellent. Imagination, facts, legends and gossip intertwine to create a taut drama. You can identify many real events in the story, but what about the fiction? That's something viewers will have to ponder long after the film is over. So, as director Mäkelä says: "Reality has had to be concocted in order to maintain the credibility of the film!"

THE MOST WATCHED OF THE YEAR

Matti – Hell is for heroes was the top statistic king in Finland in 2006 with over 462 000 viewers.

ROLES INCLUDE:
Matti – JASPER PÄÄKKÖNEN
Nick Nevada – PETER FRANZÉN
Taina – ELINA HIETALA
Mirva – ELINA KNIHTILÄ
Master – JUHA VEIJONEN
Oksanen – JOPE RUONANSUU
Hammer – KARI HIETALAHTI
Ylianttila – TONI WAHLSTRÖM
Nipa – JANI VOLANEN
Jorma Tapio – JUSSI LAMPI
Kojonkoski – TEEMU AROMAA
Puikkonen – ANDREAS AF ENEHIELM
Journalist Salmela – MATTI ONNISMAA
City Mayor – PEKKA LAIHO
Matti's father – SEPPO PÄÄKKÖNEN
Matti's mother – MAIJA JUNNO
Pertsa – JUHO MILONOFF
Mauri – JARMO PERÄLÄ
Kati – SARA MELLERI
President of the Ski Federation – HEIKKI NOUSIAINEN
Director of the Sports Museum – PEKKA AUTIOVUORI
Sports Doctor – TURKKA MASTOMÄKI
Ski Federation Doctor – PEKKA HUOTARI
Reporter – SANTERI KINNUNEN

PREMIERE IN FINLAND
13.1.2006

DIRECTOR
Aleksi Mäkelä

PRODUCER
Markus Selin

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
Jukka Helle

PRODUCTION MANAGER
Sirkka Rautiainen

SCRIPT
Marko Leino

CINEMATOGRAPHY
Pini Hellstedt

SET DESIGN
Jussi Halonen and Petri Neuvonen

COSTUME DESIGN
Tiina Kaukanen

MAKE-UP DESIGN
Mari Vaalasranta

SOUND DESIGN
Jyrki Rahkonen

COMPOSER
Tuomas Kantelinen

EDITOR
Kimmo Taavila

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Jouni Mutanen

LOCATIONS
Kimi Seppänen

MARKETING PRODUCER
Jussi Lepistö

HEAD OF PR
Rampe Toivonen

PRODUCTION COMPANY
Solar Films Inc.

SHOOTING PERIOD
8.3.-1.4.2005 and 4.7.-19.8.2005

COPIES
75

DISTRIBUTION
Buena Vista International Finland

TV RIGHTS
MTV3

TOTAL BUDGET OF THE FILM
EUR 1.6 million

SUPPORT FROM FINNISH FILM FOUNDATION
EUR 500 000

The production has also been developed with the support of the EU's MEDIA programme.

35 mm / colour / 2.35:1 / Dolby Digital / 130 min