Frozen Land

Running time: 130 mins

Aku Louhimies' (Lovers and Leavers ? Winner of Cinequest?s Best Narrative Feature, 2003) hard-hitting Frozen Land was inspired by Leo Tolstoy's short story Faux Billet, in which mischance is passed from one person to another. Winning numerous awards at the Gothenburg Film Festival, including Best Nordic Film, Frozen Land delves into the territories of courage, consequence and survival.

In modern Helsinki, three overlapping stories unfold?stories of disparate characters who share a common destiny as a counterfeit banknote touches their lives. Pertti, an out of work schoolteacher, spirals into alcoholism and drives his son, Niko, from the home. Niko prints a 500-euro note on his hacker-buddy's computer and it ends up in the hands of dim-witted Isto. When he attempts to pass on the note, Isto is collared by the law. Things turn bad for him and others as the dirty note continues its affair with coincidence to multiply mischance and deliver tragic fate.

Frozen Land is a hectic, fast-paced and realistic depiction of today?s Finland. Full of dramatic and tragic events, a lot of action but also warmth and humor, Louhimies' mesmerizing film about how hard it is to forgive.

Tamee Tanoor

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