''Ambush'' ( fi, Rukajärven tie) is a 1999 Finnish war film directed by

Olli Saarela Olli Juhani Saarela (born 16 March 1965) is a Finnish film director. He has directed films such as ''Ambush'', '' Bad Luck Love'', '' Rollo and the Woods Sprite'' and '' Year of the Wolf'', which is based on a book written by Virpi Hämeen-Anttil ...

. Literally "Road of Rukajärvi", the film debuted on 22 January 1999 in Finland, after which it was released internationally. The film is based on a book written by Antti Tuuri and its leads are played by

Peter Franzén Peter Vilhelm Franzén (born 14 August 1971) is a Finnish actor, author, screenwriter, and director. He is best known for his role as King Harald Finehair in '' Vikings'' (2016–2020). Personal life Franzén was born in Keminmaa, north Finland. ...

as Lt. Eero Perkola and

Irina Björklund Irina Felicia Björklund (born 7 February 1973) is a Finnish actress and singer. Early life and education Björklund was born in Danderyd, Stockholm County, Sweden before moving to Finland with her family. Björklund also lived in France during ...

as Kaarina Vainikainen, Lt. Perkola's love. Rukajärvi (Rugozero) is a municipality (as well as a lake) in

Karelia Karelia ( Karelian and fi, Karjala, ; rus, Каре́лия, links=y, r=Karélija, p=kɐˈrʲelʲɪjə, historically ''Korjela''; sv, Karelen), the land of the Karelian people, is an area in Northern Europe of historical significance fo ...

Russia Russia (, , ), or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country spanning Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. It is the largest country in the world, with its internationally recognised territory covering , and encompassing one-ei ...

, and it was occupied by the

Finnish Army The Finnish Army ( Finnish: ''Maavoimat'', Swedish: ''Armén'') is the land forces branch of the Finnish Defence Forces. The Finnish Army is divided into six branches: the infantry (which includes armoured units), field artillery, anti-aircraf ...

during the

Continuation War The Continuation War, also known as the Second Soviet-Finnish War, was a conflict fought by Finland and Nazi Germany against the Soviet Union from 1941 to 1944, as part of World War II.; sv, fortsättningskriget; german: Fortsetzungskrieg. A ...

of 1941–44.

Plot summary

Cast

as Lieutenant Eero Perkola *

as Lotta Kaarina Vainikainen * Kari Heiskanen as Lance Corporal Jussi Lukkari *

Taisto Reimaluoto Taisto Reimaluoto (born 28 September 1961, in Helsinki) is a Finnish actor. Reimaluoto began his career in films and in 1994, he appeared in '' Aapo'' as the lead character. However since 1995 he has become a prolific Finnish television actor ...

as Corporal Unto Saarinen *

Kari Väänänen Kari Kyösti Väänänen (born 17 September 1953 in Ivalo) is a Finnish actor and director. Domestically he is a member of the Ryhmäteatteri group of actors. He was introduced to international audiences by Aki Kaurismäki, and belongs to the li ...

as Corporal Tauno Snicker *

Tommi Eronen Tommi Johannes Eronen (born 18 September 1968) is a Finnish actor, best known for starring in the movies '' Jade Warrior'' (2006) and '' Bad Luck Love'' (2000). His performance in ''Bad Luck Love'' garnered him a Jussi Award for Best Supporting ...

as Private Simo Karppinen * Pekka Heikkinen as Corporal Evert Rönkkö * Pekka Huotari as Private Martti Raassina * Tero Jartti as Private Moilanen * Rauno Juvonen as Private Hämäläinen

Awards

The film won seven Jussi Awards in 2000 including Best Film, Best Direction, Best Photography, Best Edit, Best Staging, Best Sound Design and Best Score. The film was also entered into the

21st Moscow International Film Festival The 21st Moscow International Film Festival was held from 19 to 29 July 1999. The Golden St. George was awarded to the Japanese film ''Will to Live'' directed by Kaneto Shindo. Jury * Fernando Solanas (Argentina – President of the Jury) * Flo ...

References

External links

* 1999 films Continuation War Eastern Front of World War II films Films based on Finnish novels Films set in Russia 1990s Finnish-language films Films directed by Olli Saarela Films scored by Tuomas Kantelinen 1990s war films Finnish World War II films {{WWII-film-stub

Plot summary

Cast

Awards

See also

References

External links