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Movie Name: Sisu
Directed by: Jalmari Helander
Starring: Jorma Tommila, Aksel Hennie, Jack Doolan, Mimosa Willamo, Onni Tommila
Genre: Action, War, History
Release Date: 28 April, 2023
Running Time: 91 Minutes
Rating:
Budget: 60 lakhs EUR
When an ex-soldier who discovers gold in the Lapland wilderness tries to take the loot into the city, Nazi soldiers led by a brutal SS officer battle him.
Sisu: Historical Action Film
Sisu is a 2022 Finnish-American historical action film written and directed by Jalmari Helander. Set in Finnish Lapland during World War II, the film follows a gold prospector who attempts to secure his gold from a Nazi death squad led by a brutal Schutzstaffel officer. Shot in 2021 in Lapland, the film stars Jorma Tommila, Aksel Hennie, Jack Doolan and Mimosa Willamo.
Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions acquired international distribution rights, and Lionsgate acquired the rights in North America. The film debuted at the Midnight Madness section of the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2022. The film premiered in Finland on 27 January 2023, while in the United States, the film will open on 28 April 2023.
Storyline:
In late 1944, during the Lapland War, gold prospector and Winter War veteran Aatami Korpi lives alone in the remote wilderness of Lapland, panning and mining in search of gold. Eventually, his efforts succeed when he uncovers a rich gold deposit. Collecting a hefty amount of gold nuggets, Aatami sets off to deliver his gold to the nearest town. Along the way, Aatami encounters a 30-man Wehrmacht platoon led by ruthless SS Obersturmführer Bruno Helldorf and his subordinate Wolf, who are destroying settlements in their retreat and have taken dozens of captives with them. Though Bruno and the platoon initially take little interest in Aatami, they change their mind upon learning of his gold, and attempt to seize it from him. But unbeknownst to them, Aatami was a skilled fighter during the Winter War nicknamed “The Immortal”, and their attempts to capture Aatami and steal his gold result in brutal clashes.
Movie Review:
The title is as plain as the film itself. Sisu – which in Finnish means tenacity, especially in the face of despair – promises a bare-bones thriller based on bare-knuckle action and delivers in the full.
Jalmari Helander’s English-language movie is set during World War II, a time of nasty Nazis, a battle-ravaged land, and at least one money-minded Finn. Aatami (Jorma Tommila) has found a stash of gold that he is determined to protect his bounty at any costs. So what if a Nazi battalion is on his trail?
Aatami – part Boris the Blade and part John Wick – soldiers on. Sisu has the good sense to move swiftly from one mayhem-filled moment to the next. The film efficiently rolls out its surprises, with the impact of squelching guts and exploding entrails enhanced by minimal dialogue. Instead, we are invited to marvel at the ways in which Aatami lives up to his reputation of being immortal.
At least some verbiage is dedicated to Aatami’s back story – a bad idea. We neither want to nor need to know anything about this killing machine. Jorma Tommila’s lack of personality ensures zero interest in Aatami and every bit of attention on his innovative modes of dispatch. Aksel Hennie, as the brutal Bruno who is as pig-headed as Aatami, is at least more fun.
After having exhausted all possibilities but compelled to stretch the film to a 93-minute runtime, Helander allows himself to have a laugh or two. By the time Sisu moves from unlikely survival drama to straight-out farce, we’re nearing the end credits. Full marks for economy, and a few extra points for knowing when the show is over.
