Finland’s Tekele Productions has revealed the first-look of Aleksi Salmenperä’s anticipated drama “Father’s Day.”
Salmenperä is the award-winning director and writer behind “Void,” “Bubble” and “The Mine,” but his eighth feature – set to be presented at the Helsinki Film Festival’s industry event Finnish Film Affair – will be “different from his previous films,” he underscored.
“When it comes to the reactions of those who’ve seen it, they seem to be more emotional. Which of course feels great! Even more so because amateurs make up 60% of the main cast.”
He added: “I really tried to keep the plot simpler than ever and forget about the rule book. When writing, I kept reminding myself about reality – I avoided the temptation of imagination. I asked myself: ‘How would this NOT happen in a film?’ and followed that trail.”
In the film, set to premiere in the spring, teenage twin girls decide to finally find their father. They’ve never met him and their mother (Laura Birn) remains mum on the subject, but their investigation leads them to ailing alcoholic Tinke (Tomi Lindfors) and his only friend Veikko (Tommi Korpela).
“What makes this film special is Tomi Lindfors. He is a man with a tragic past,” said Salmenperä about his lead.
“He’s been drinking for 40 years and lost all his loved ones. He’s in a weak physical condition, which he’s unable to hide, and yet he’s bright, positive and polite. Tomi doesn’t want anybody’s pity and doesn’t see his life as a failure. He was brave enough to bring all this to the table.”
Lindfors “basically plays himself in the movie,” admitted Salmenperä, with “all his troubles and wounds.”
It was Tomi’s childhood friend, well-known actor Tommi Korpela, who introduced them when he was shooting “Void.”
“Tomi played a small role in that film and I was impressed with his presence in front of the camera. The whole concept of ‘Father’s Day’ was more or less based on their friendship, so I was lucky Tomi really wanted to play the role. The script was written around him. He’s unable to hide his physical condition or his charm.”
“Before the shoot, he asked me if it was okay for him to feel a little compassion towards his character. I said: ‘It’s okay. But don’t let the camera see it.’”
According to producer Miia Haavisto, Salmenperä “dares to see humor in the somewhat harsh reality” and brings it to his directing, so that it feels “raw, authentic and touching.”
“I am particularly proud of ‘Father’s Day’ being an original story set in the present day, especially given how rare such stories have become in recent years,” she said, calling it a “unique yet logical chapter in his artistic work.”
“I would hope for the film to show how frail and lost we all are. But rather than surrender to it, it embraces that reality and solidarity that still exist out there.”
Tekele Productions, founded in 2017 and owned by Haavisto, Marja Pihlaja and Julia Elomäki, is also at work on upcoming titles “Máttáráhká” by Suvi West – also known as “When Johan Johanaš Disappeared to the Mountains” – and “The Offspring” by Niklas Lindgren.
Helsinki-based company has just acquired 20% of Fragile Ego Films, led by producer and CEO Johan-Sebastian Rintala and developing thriller series “Octopus” written by Emmi-Liia Sjöholm.
“I’m excited to continue producing Fragile Ego Films’ comedy and offbeat arthouse projects – only now with the backing of Tekele Productions. I’ve truly enjoyed working with Tekele and I’m even more excited to build on that collaboration in this new chapter for my own company,” noted Rintala, with Haavisto adding: “It’s inspiring to have this ongoing connection that we have now solidified. I think we can learn from one another, which will help us both navigate better in this industry and to make better and stronger projects.”
‘Father’s Day’
Sami Kuokkanen / Tekele Productions
