Land of hope

Land of hope is a love film set over a seven-year period from the end of the war in 1945 to the 1952 Olympic Games. Lovers Anni and Veikko are given a "cold farm", where they start from scratch on an unfed plot of land.

Anni, who has lived a safe life, falls in love with Veikko, who was wounded in the Continuation War. Anni leaves everything behind and goes to settle in the North Karelian forest to clear a settlement. After a rosy start, fate shatters Anni's dreams and her love for Veikko is put to the test.

ROLES INCLUDE:
OONA AIROLA
KONSTA LAAKSO
ANTTI VIRMAVIRTA
MARJAANA MAIJALA
HELMI LINNOSMAA
MIKA NUOJUA
HANNU-PEKKA BJÖRKMAN
SANNA-KAISA PALO
ARTO HEIKKILÄ
MARJA PACKALÉN
HENRI TUOMINEN

DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT

Through my films, I have made a name for myself as a "country & eastern" director, creating a genre in which I feel at home. This latest film, Land of hope, is a kind of commissioned work. It is set in a seven-year period from the end of the war to the 1952 Olympics, a time of work and dreams; a nation shaking the horrors of war off its shoulders. It was a hard time, but also a time of fond memories: "Make a film about it for us!", I have been urged, decade after decade. And now I have done it, the touching love story of Anni and Veikko. Here you are!

Markku Pölönen