Be it relationships between siblings (Submarino, Superbror) or parent and child (A Family, Sebbe, A Somewhat Gentle Man,) family ties is a common theme linking together many of the Nordic films heading towards the 60th Berlinale. Bad Family is another example. The third feature film by award-winning Finnish director Salmenperä (Producing Adults, A Man's Job) is a tragicomedy exploring a father's efforts to bring up his children the best he can, but things don't turn out the way he wants.
Hanna Hemilä (Sputnik Film) told www.nordiskfilmogtvfond.com that the ‘tragicomic twist between protecting one's offspring, but not being mature enough to do it successfully' is what convinced her to produce the film with Aki Kaurismäki. The project landed on Sputnik's desk because "Aki is an old football pal of writer/director Salmenperä," she said. "Aki liked Aleksi's previous works and urged him to write a new script."
The film starring Ville Virtanen, Lauri Tilkanen and Pihla Viitala (2010 Shooting Star) is being released domestically by Sandrew Metronome on 15 screens this Friday. World distribution is handled by Cologne-based The Match Factory. Click here to see trailer.
Another Finnish film will be screening at the Berlinale's Generation 14+ section. Last of the Line by Anastasia Lapsui and Markku Lehmuskallio who will attend Berlin for the seventh time. The film produced by Illume will be released in Finland on February 26.