Above dark waters

Childhood in a space between love and fear. Peter Franzén directs his debut film from his autobiographical novel Above Dark Waters (Tammi 2010).

Synopsis

Based on actor Peter Franzén's own novel, the film is the story of Pete's coming-of-age in the 1970s Keminmaa in south-western Lapland.

Fear lurks in the corners of Pete's mind. His subconscious mind works through the events in his dreams at home, where alcohol and violence also reside. Problems and violence come out of the blue, as life sometimes becomes a blur of happiness and a new sense of confidence.

The mother is loving towards her children, and strives for the best possible marriage. To break it up in a small community would be a disgrace, especially when the mother already has a failed marriage behind her. She does not want to lose it again, even if the well-being of the children is at stake. The stepfather, whom the son calls father, is a lovable character whose alcohol problems turn him into a monster.

Grandparents play an important role in the life of a family, using their wisdom or instinct to keep children from evil thoughts. The boy's real father wants to be involved in Pete's life, but the stepfather makes the effort difficult.

The film is dominated by a little person's instinctive drive to move forward. The encouragement of his relatives gives Pete the courage to observe things with his own eyes, and through this the boy's face comes close to the viewer.

At the core are survival in life, loved ones, light, happiness and a longing for peace.
Peter Franzén knows how to distil the important from the unimportant, to make drama out of unpredictable and splashy details. Like the book, the film is part of a solid tradition of profound Finnish childhood portrayals.

Author, scriptwriter and director Peter Franzén

Above Dark Waters is Peter Franzén's own project from start to finish. He wrote the novel and screenplay and directed the film. He also has a major supporting role.

Director's statement

I am sincerely grateful to everyone who has worked on this film. The subject matter is so close to my heart that it was great to have several colleagues from years ago to help build the world that comes together in this film in the most wonderful way.

Every day, the talented and likeable child actors made everyone think why this story is being made into a film and what it is like to be a child. The adult actors brought to life the people in my memories, all of whom are dear to me; the very people I cannot forgive.

The story of this film is meant to be a comforting and telling example of how a child can perceive one's life on the threshold of the end of childhood and how the love of those close to them can have a positive impact on problems or moments of transition, even in its simplest form: when someone is present.

Man is a wolf to man, but he can also be fire or love. Security. Home.

Peter Franzén
director

ROLES INCLUDE:
Pete – OLAVI ANGERVO
Father – SAMULI EDELMANN
Mother – MATLEENA KUUSNIEMI
Grandpa – ISMO KALLIO
Grandma – MARJA PACKALÉN
Kake – PETER FRANZÉN
Taina – MARI PERANKOSKI
Suvi – MILJA TUUNAINEN
Teukka – TOMMI RAITOLEHTO
Pekka – MIO HAMARI
Pekka's mother Liisa – ELINA KNIHTILÄ
Mika – PAULI RÄISÄNEN
Saara – ELLEN TERVAHARJU
Teacher – JONNA JÄRNEFELT
Cousin Erkki – JANNE KINNUNEN
Salt candy granny – VIENO SAARISTO
Preacher – MARKKU KÖNGÄS
Sports shop salesman – ERKKI PUOTINIEMI
Uncle Markus – DOME KARUKOSKI
Uncle Martti – TUOMAS KÄÄRIÄINEN