EditTuntematon sotilas (2017)

Unknown Soldier by AKU LOUHIMIES is the story of an infantry unit’s tour of duty that lasts for more than three years during the Finnish Continuation War. The film is based on the classic novel by VÄINÖ LINNA. The film is the story of Rokka, Kariluoto, Koskela, Hietanen, and their brothers-in-arms. It shows how friendship, humour, and the will to live unite these men on their way there and back. The war changes the lives of each of the soldiers as well as the lives of those on the home front, and also leaves its mark on the entire nation.

This is the third adaptation of the classical novel with the same name from 1954, written by one of Finland’s most eminent writers - Väinö Linna. The internationally recognized Finnish director Aku Louhimies has used also the unedited manuscript version of the novel in order to add to the authenticity of the story. “The Unknown Soldier” describes military and political events from the period 1941-1944 when Finland allied Germany with the intention to gain back some of their lands, previously invaded by the USSR. The story revolves around an infantry division, sent to the front line of the war. Although the young men are full of energy and fighting spirit, nobody could prepare them for the horrors of war.