The Finnish psycho thriller produced by Komeetta, will be distributed in the Nordics by SF Studios which has acquired rights to the book by Terhi Kokkonen.

Finnish author and vocalist Terhi Kokkonen (Scandinavian Music Group) was awarded the Helsingin Sanomat Literature Prize - Best Debut Novel in 2020 for her novel ‘Arctic Mirage’ (‘Rajamaa’, Otava), sold to Germany and Estonia.

The deal with SF Studios was negotiated by Elina Ahlbäck at Elina Ahlback Literary Agency on behalf of Kokkonen.

The film adaptation is being produced by Komeetta, with actress Pihla Viitala (Deadwind, Maria’s Paradise, Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters) due to make her directorial debut.

The story revolves around Karo and Risto who travel to Northern Finland in an attempt to save their marriage. On their way home, they get into a car accident and are forced to stay at the nearby Hotel Arctic Mirage. The place starts to have a peculiar effect on them. Karo begins to doubt her own memories and tries to escape the snowbound hotel holiday village, whereas Risto refuses to leave.

Viitala said she is thrilled to bring Kokkonen’s book to the silver screen. “The character-driven story takes us into a unique world, where the border between sanity and insanity is unclear and time seems to disappear,” she said.

Yaba Holst, Head of Nordic Acquisition at SF Studios describes the book as “a strong-spirited, psychological novel about people in exceptional circumstances”. “It keeps the reader gripped and provides chills on every page,” she said.

Helsinki-based Komeetta co-headed by Daniel Kuitunen and Kaisla Viitala, is behind Zaida Bergroth’s Maria’s Paradise and JP Valkeapää’s anticipated crime comedy Hit Big.