Finland selects “Olli Maki” as foreign language Oscars entry

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Happiest Day In The Life Of Olli Maki has been put forth by Finland as its official submission for the Foreign Language Oscar race, the Finnish Film Foundation has announced. Directed by Juho Kuosmanen, in 16mm, the black-and-white boxing drama/love story premiered in Cannes in May and won the top prize in the Un Certain Regard section. It’s next bound for Toronto’s Discovery strand, Deadline said.

The original screenplay is by Kuosmanen and Mikko Myllylahti and is inspired by real events. It tells the story of Mäki, the first Finn ever to fight for boxing’s world featherweight championship. Distracted by thoughts of a new love, he lost the match humiliatingly in the second round by knock out in front of a packed stadium. According to Mäki it was the best day of his life.

Finland’s B-Plan Distribution released it locally on September 2. International sales are handled by Les Films du Losange; Mubi acquired U.S. rights in June.

The Happiest Day is Kuosmanen’s first feature. He won a Cinéfondation prize in Cannes in 2010 with the medium-length The Painting Sellers. The main cast includes Jarkko Lahti, Oona Airola and Eero Milonoff.

The Finnish jury called the movie “elegant” and a “local true story that the talented filmmakers have lifted to a universal level while also infusing the touching and accomplished film with humor.”

Producer is Jussi Rantamäki for Aamu Film Company.