Hellsinki (Rööperi)

Hellsinki is based on an interview novel (Rööperi – The years of crime 1955 – 2005), written by Harri Nykänen and Tom Sjöberg. The book describes the old days of one of the most notorious parts of Helsinki. The film is set between 1966 and 1979.
Besides the journey of Tomppa and Krisu, the main characters of the film, Rööperi tells the story of Gypsy Kari, Arska, Bisquit, Uki and a bunch of other bad boys and criminals; it tells of their memorable and unscrupulous journey from crime and poverty to becoming respectable citizens, going to jail—or dying too young. The wrong side of the law is seen through the eyes of Koistinen, a local police officer.
The guys who fall into a life of crime have one thing in common: they all start by bootlegging, being sure money is an answer to all their problems. Money is a way out of a miserable life; it is a way to happiness and their modest dreams. They can stop doing criminal business as soon as they get enough money.
When the guys start making more money with black-market booze, their hunger and their dreams grow bigger.
Even though the reality Rööperi is portrayed as rather rugged and rotten, we can see both warmth and humor in the characters walking the streets of Rööperi; these qualities will make the audience love them. The audience will cry and laugh with them—and for them.

Marko Leino
Screenwriter

PRINCIPAL CAST
Tomppa – Samuli Edelmann
Krisu – Peter Franzén
Monika – Pihla Viitala
Gypsy-Kari – Kari Hietalahti
Koistinen – Juha Veijonen
Korppu – Jasper Pääkkönen
Uki – Pekka Valkeejärvi
Pera – Hiski Grönstrand
Sale – Tommi Rantamäki
Arska – Kristo Salminen
Lindström – Kalle Holmberg
Tomppa’s mother – Leena Uotila
Kari’s mother Tyyne – Pirkko Mannola

DAY OF RELEASE
9.1.2009

DIRECTOR
Aleksi Mäkelä

PRODUCER
Markus Selin ja Jukka Helle

PRODUCTION MANAGER
Sirkka Rautiainen

SCREENWRITER
Marko Leino

ORIGINAL NOVEL BY
Harri Nykänen ja Tom Sjöberg

CINEMATOGRAPHY
Pini Hellstedt F.S.C.

SET DESIGN
Pirjo Rossi

COSTUM DESIGN
Tiina Kaukanen

MAKE UP ARTIST
Riikka Virtanen

SOUND
Jyrki Rahkonen

MUSIC
Kalle Chydenius

EDITOR
Kimmo Taavila

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Jouni Mutanen