A ravishing story about little Pete and his survival and growth in the gray area between love and fear. The drama movie is based on the autobiographical novel Above Dark Waters, by Peter Franzén (published by Tammi 2010) Finnish premiere date September 6th 2013 A childhood between love and fear The movie, based on the novel by actor Peter Franzén, is a growth story of little Pete, just about to start school, in Keminmaa area in South-Western Lapland in the 1970 s. Above Dark Waters is a story of a little boy, Pete. In Pete s mind, his family is normal. Pete s mother, Eeva, tries her best to protect her children from Pete s step dad s violent, alcoholic tendencies but she is ashamed to acknowledge her failure in her relationship. Throughout their lives, Pete and his sister Suvi find support from their grandparents. Pete s life is not dark it is his life and it is joyous, warm and loving. It is not a life of darkness with a few bright spots; it is a life of light with a few dark spots in it. He ll have to learn to be positive and see beyond the moment. This is his childhood. His life.
A word from the director I am sincerely grateful to all those people who have worked for this movie. The subject is so close to myself that it was wonderful to get all these co-workers, familiar from a long way back, to build this world. And what a fine world they managed to create. The gifted, symphatetic child actors made us all think every day why this story is being filmed. What it s like to be a child. The grown-up actors sparked life to all the characters of my memories; I love them all, even those I can never forgive. The purpose of the movie is to console, to point out and be an example how a child on the edge of adulthood can perceive his life ahead. How the love of your closest can effect your problems and turning points in a positive way. In the simplest way: how important it is to have someone present. Above Dark Waters has been Peter Franzén s own project from the beginning to the end; he has written the novel and the screenplay for the movie. He directed the movie and plays a major supporting role in it. Homo homini lupus est man is a wolf to his fellow man. But man can also be fire, love. A safe haven. Peter Franzén director Peter Franzén Peter Franzén was born August 14th 1971 in Keminmaa, South-Western Lapland. Franzén completed studies at The Theatre Academy of Helsinki, Finland in 1995. He has appeared in more than 50 films and TV-productions in Finland, Sweden, USA, Hungary, France, Germany and Estonia. He has won three Finnish Film Academy Awards, as well as other recognitions from film festivals around Europe (France, Belgium, Portugal). He has appeared in leading roles in Finnish box office hits such as Ambush, Bad Boys (12% of the population of Finland saw the movie in theaters), Lovers and Leavers, Dog Nail Clipper, Hellsinki, Purge. His American TV credits include CSI:Miami and True Blood, and he has been seen in films such as Renny Harlin s Cleaner and Anne Norda s Red Is the Color of... Peter has a part in The Gunman, 2013, opposite Sean Penn, Javier Bardem, Mark Rylance. His autobiographical first novel Above Dark Waters (published by Tammi 2010) was a nominee for the best first book of the year by the newspaper Helsingin Sanomat. The film rights were bought by Solar Films in Finland. His second novel Samoilla Silmillä (With the Same Eyes) continues the story and was published in September 2013.
Samuli Edelmann had a Hollywood-role in Mission Impossible IV, starring Tom Cruise. Samuli Edelmann Samuli Edelmann (born July 21st 1968 in Pori) was attending the University of Theatre Arts in 1989-1991. As an actor, Edelmann has been nominated for the Finnish Movie Award five times (The Tough Ones, Me and Morrison, Rock and Roll Never Dies, Life For Sale, Northbound) and twice for the best supporting role (Restless, Vares Private Eye). Edelmann has appeared in over 20 movies, including roles in Sweden and Hollywood. As a singer, Edelmann has won three Emma Awards. He is one of the most commercially popular Finnish male artists and has published almost twenty albums. Matleena Kuusniemi ABOVE DARK WATERS Running time: 01:46:48 Shooting format: digital - Arri Alexa Screening format: DCP Screen ratio: 2.35:1 Frames per second: 24 fps Sound: 5.1 Colour TITLE SONG Kuin Tuulen Viemää Irina Björklund music: Franzén, Björklund, Lappalainen / lyrics: Björklund / sov. Lappalainen, Björklund PRODUCTION INFORMATION director producers executive producer line producer screenplay by director of photography music by edited by sound design by wardrobe design by production design by PETER FRANZÉN JUKKA HELLE MARKUS SELIN RAMPE TOIVONEN SIRKKA RAUTIAINEN PETER FRANZÉN PINI HELLSTEDT F.S.C. JANNE LAPPALAINEN IRINA BJÖRKLUND KIMMO TAAVILA JOONAS JYRÄLÄ TIINA KAUKANEN PIRJO ROSSI Matleena Kuusniemi, winner of the Jussi Award, made her breakthrough in Restless (2000). Matleena Kuusniemi (born September 24th 1973 in Espoo) graduated as a Master of Theatre Arts as late as 2002 because of her busy work schedule. Kuusniemi has appeared in television, movies and on theatre stages. She became a household name as Noora in the tv-series Academy of Hearts (1998) but real break-through was the role of Ilona in Restless (2000), directed by Aku Louhimies. She won her first Finnish Movie Award from the film Frozen Land (2005). Her most important movie roles include Above Dark Waters, The Home of Dark Butterflies, Frozen Land and Restless. In television her most prominent appearance was a central role in the multi-awarded tv-series Fragments. SELECTED CREW Pete Father Mother Grandfather Grandmother Taina Suvi Tuukka Pekka OLAVI ANGERVO SAMULI EDELMANN MATLEENA KUUSNIEMI ISMO KALLIO MARJA PACKALÉN MARI PERANKOSKI MILJA TUUNAINEN TOMMI RAITOLEHTO MIO HAMARI Olavi Angervo was chosen to the role of Pete among hundreds of applicants who all went through a test shoot. Olavi Angervo A resident of Rovaniemi, Olavi Angervo (born November 22nd 2003 in Helsinki) is starting his fourth year in the local Steiner school. He was bitten by the acting bug a few years ago when he had a role in Jungle Book in Rovaniemi theatre. Last year he had a role as the young Unto Mononen in the musical Satumaa at the same stage. Besides theatre and movies, his passions are football, playing violin and singing. Despite the serious topic, the result is a sweet and warm-hearted movie, which will move the audience almost to tears. Peter Franzén has a long career of acting behind him and his first direction is spot on. Päivi Laajalahti / Episodi Above Dark Waters opens up as a story with not only dark moments but a lot of happiness. - Jarmo Valkola / Keskisuomalainen
He, who comes out of this movie with dry eyes, must be made of stone. Esko Rautakorpi / YLE TV1 Above Dark Waters is a pleasant, approachable movie for wide audiences. It has all the values and chances of being a major success. Hannu Björkbacka / Keskipohjanmaa An outstanding first direction. Tapani Juusola / Lapin Kansa PRODUCTION Solar Films Oy Veneentekijäntie 20 00210 Helsinki +358 9 417 447 00 solarfilms.com markus.selin@solarfilms.com +358 400 470 332 DISTRIBUTION in Scandinavia Oy Nordisk Film Ab Mechelininkatu 1a 5th floor 00100 Helsinki +358 9 476 4460 nordiskfilm.fi The trailer, additional scenes and media info can be found at the movie s website: www.solarfilms.com FESTIVAL CONTACTS Finnish Film Foundation Kanavakatu 12, 2nd floor FI-00160 Helsinki, Finland +358 9 6220 300 ses.fi jaana.puskala@ses.fi