SF Studios will co-produce and distribute “Kalevala: The Story of Kullervo,” a big-budget historical drama based on Finland’s national epic “Kalevala” and directed by Antti J. Jokinen (“Helene,” “Purge”).
Nordic stars Elias Salonen (“Adults,” “Siege”) and Eero Aho (“The Unknown Soldier”) will play the lead roles. Johanna Enäsuo and Marko Röhr of ReelMedia are producing the film, while SF Studios is handling distribution in the Nordic countries. A theatrical release in Finnish cinemas is planned for early 2026. REinvent has handled international distribution.
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“Kalevala: The Story of Kullervo” is the first feature film adaptation of the Finnish national poetry collection “Kalevala”, which mixes Karelian and Finnish folklore and mythology and was created in 1835 by Elias Lönnrot, a Finnish physician and explorer.
The historical film is set in the 12th century and will be shot mostly in Bomba, near Lake Pielinen in Nurmes in North Karelia. Extensive sets will be built, including houses, warehouses and farms. Filming will begin in mid-September.
“We at SF Studios are very proud to be able to bring this story about local power to audiences,” said Yaba Holst, executive producer at SF Studios. Holst said the ambitious project “raises a lot of expectations, demands and excitement.” “The collaboration with Reel Media and Antti Jokinen has been excellent and promises an extraordinary cinema experience for Finnish screens,” Holst continued.
In addition to Salonen and Aho, the ensemble consists of Ilkka Koivula, Olli Rahkonen, Krista Kosonen and Johannes Holopainen.
“Kalevala is a dream project for REinvent,” said Rikke Ennis, CEO of REinvent International Sales. “Antti is an incredible director and we are confident that he will master the execution of this epic action film based on the Nordic myth Kalevala,” added Ennis, who previously headed TrustNordisk.
Kalevala: The Story of Kullervo is a co-production between Antti J. Jokinen’s production company Storm Inc. and Marko Röhrs and Johanna Enäsuo’s ReelMedia Oy. The film is being made in collaboration with SF Studios, the Finnish Film Foundation and Yleisradio. Kalevala: The Story of Kullervo is also financed by the North Karelia Cooperative Society (PKO), the Nordisk Film & TV Fond and the Regional Council of North Karelia.
Antti J. Jokinen, Copyright Antti Rastivo
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