Stupid Young Heart reunites writer Kirsikka Saari and Vilhunen who collaborated on the Oscar nominated short film Do I Have to Take Care of Everything?  The director’s second feature after her acclaimed Little Wing, is another heart-felt and edgy coming of age film.

The two main characters, teenagers Lenni and Kiira suddenly have to deal with grown up problems of pregnancy, while extreme right ideas begin to encroach on their suburban neighbourhood.

In the title roles are Jere Ristseppä, Rosa Honkonen, Abshir Sheikh Nur, Ville Haapasalo and Pihla Viitala. The film is produced by Tuffi Films, in co-production with Windmill Film (NL), Hob AB (SE), and support notably from Nordisk Film & TV Fond. 

The Yellow Affair's Head of Sales and Business Development Steven Bestwick said: “We are very excited to represent the new film from such a talented director, writer and production team. Stupid Young Heart is an authentic and emotionally powerful portrayal of a young teenage couple about to bring a baby into the world. The story also explores contemporary themes examining the vulnerability of youth in a multicultural neighbourhood, threatened by the onset of far-right ideology. The lead performances are very strong and we look forward to screening the film to distributors”.

Nordisk Film will release the film in Finland on October 12, 2018. 

The Yellow Affair is also starting pre-sales in Toronto of Mika Kaurismäki’s Master Cheng, produced by the director’s own company Marianna Films, with China’s Huang Yaqui’s QianJi Culture Co. Ltd and Iain Brown’s BY Media.

It’s the story of a professional cook from China who travels to a remote Finnish village with his young son, to reconnect with a Finnish friend he once met in Shanghai. He befriends the locals who help him when his visa is about to expire. The cast comprises Chu Pak Hong, Anna-Maija Tuokko, Lucas Hsuan, Kari Väänänen and Vesa-Matti Loiri. Filming in Finnish Lapland wrapped end of August and will continue for two days in October in Hangzhou, China. Sf Studios will handle the local release.