After successfully collaborating on 2015’s fact-inspired “The Fencer,” Finnish director Klaus Haro and scenarist Anna Heinamaa reteam for another low-key wade into feel-good dramatic terrain with “One Last Deal.” This wholly fictive tale centers on an elderly Helinski gallery owner, whose attempt to pull off a final sales coup before retiring, ends up enlisting help from — and mending relations with — his semi-estranged daughter and grandson. Restraint early pays off in emotional rewards later for what’s essentially a formulaic curmudgeon-redeemed-despite-himself tearjerker. Among the more popular titles this year among Palm Springs’ older-skewing festival-goers, it could capitalize on that appeal in offshore sales while also offering remake potential to overseas admirers.
Olavi is a widower who devotes all his time to his business, and probably always has. But that business is not doing particularly well: Online sales have seriously cut into storefront enterprises such as his own, and he’s so...
Olavi is a widower who devotes all his time to his business, and probably always has. But that business is not doing particularly well: Online sales have seriously cut into storefront enterprises such as his own, and he’s so...
- 2/12/2019
- by Dennis Harvey
- Variety Film + TV
Scandinavian sales outfit LevelK has picked up “One Last Deal,” Finnish director Klaus Härö’s follow up to Golden Globe-nominated film “The Fencer.”
Set to world premiere at Toronto in the Contemporary World Cinema section, “One Last Deal” follows Olavi, an elderly art dealer on the verge of retirement who has always put business and art before everything, and embarks on a journey to sell an unmarked painting found at an auction. The film was written by Anna Heinämaa, and it stars Heikki Nousiainen, Amos Brotherus and Pirjo Lonka.
One of Finland’s most successful filmmakers, Härö made his feature debut with “Elina” which won the Berlin Crystal Bear in 2003, while his latest film “The Fencer” was shortlisted for an Oscar and nominated for a foreign-language Golden Globe in 2016.
“One Last Deal” is produced by Kai Nordberg and Kaarle Aho at Making Movies whose credits include “The Fencer” and Tonislav Hristov’s “The Good Postman.
Set to world premiere at Toronto in the Contemporary World Cinema section, “One Last Deal” follows Olavi, an elderly art dealer on the verge of retirement who has always put business and art before everything, and embarks on a journey to sell an unmarked painting found at an auction. The film was written by Anna Heinämaa, and it stars Heikki Nousiainen, Amos Brotherus and Pirjo Lonka.
One of Finland’s most successful filmmakers, Härö made his feature debut with “Elina” which won the Berlin Crystal Bear in 2003, while his latest film “The Fencer” was shortlisted for an Oscar and nominated for a foreign-language Golden Globe in 2016.
“One Last Deal” is produced by Kai Nordberg and Kaarle Aho at Making Movies whose credits include “The Fencer” and Tonislav Hristov’s “The Good Postman.
- 8/16/2018
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Stars: Hannamaija Nikander, Jari Virman, Matti Onnismaa, Heikki Nousiainen, Pihla Penttinen, Jouko Puolanto, Santtu Karvonen, Alina Tomnikov, Ilari Johansson, Rami Rusinen, Olli Rahkonen | Written and Directed by Teemu Nikki
Although it’s not the biggest sub genre, Finnish horror has produced a few good movies. Lake Bodom had some success outside of it’s home country, Dark Floors (the Lordi film) was surprisingly fun) and Rare Exports is a movie I watch and enjoy every Christmas. So if Euthanizer turned out decent, it was in good company. It turns out much more than decent and Euthanizer has a lot to like about it. So lets begin with the performances because there’s not a bad performance from any member of the cast. But the three leads will will get most the praise and justifiably so…
Hannamaija Nikander plays the lead female Lotta. Definitely an odd character, Lotta enjoys the macbre side of life,...
Although it’s not the biggest sub genre, Finnish horror has produced a few good movies. Lake Bodom had some success outside of it’s home country, Dark Floors (the Lordi film) was surprisingly fun) and Rare Exports is a movie I watch and enjoy every Christmas. So if Euthanizer turned out decent, it was in good company. It turns out much more than decent and Euthanizer has a lot to like about it. So lets begin with the performances because there’s not a bad performance from any member of the cast. But the three leads will will get most the praise and justifiably so…
Hannamaija Nikander plays the lead female Lotta. Definitely an odd character, Lotta enjoys the macbre side of life,...
- 8/9/2018
- by Alain Elliott
- Nerdly
Director: Klaus Haro Writer(s): Klaus Haro (screenplay), Jaana Makkonen (Original script & idea) Starring: Kaarina Hazard, Jukka Keinonen, Heikki Nousiainen, Kaija Pakarinen, Esko Roine Unexpectedly and undesirably pardoned from serving life in prison for murder, Leila (Kaarina Hazard) finds herself employed by Father Jacob (Heikki Nousiainen). Built like a linebacker and sporting a permanent scowl, Leila yields quite an intimidating and imposing presence; but Father Jacob, a blind priest residing in an isolated and dilapidated old house where he has dedicated his life to answering letters from people seeking prayers and advice, is not the least bit frightened. Leila has been hired to assist Father Jacob by reading the stacks of letters received by him and transcribing his dictated responses.
- 10/14/2010
- by Don Simpson
- SmellsLikeScreenSpirit
Finland’s official selection for the Academy Awards, “Letters to Father Jacob” is a modest movie about faith and forgiveness. With a scant running time of 74 minutes, the film keeps its story simple: Leila (Kaarina Hazard), a tough broad serving a life sentence, finds that the fate she resigned herself to is suddenly upended when she’s pardoned for her unnamed crime. With nowhere to go, she accepts a position as a personal assistant to a blind priest living alone in the bucolic countryside. She doesn’t do housework, she declares, but what Father Jacob (Heikki Nousiainen) needs from her is much more important: to read and answer the stack of letters that arrive daily asking for his prayers.
Leila, of course, thinks this is a ridiculous waste of time and unabashedly rolls her eyes in front of his pale blue opaque ones, even going so far as to dump...
Leila, of course, thinks this is a ridiculous waste of time and unabashedly rolls her eyes in front of his pale blue opaque ones, even going so far as to dump...
- 10/8/2010
- Moving Pictures Magazine
Stuart Hazeldine’s Exam (top); Kaarina Hazard, Heikki Nousiainen in Klaus Härö’s Letters to Father Jaakob (bottom) The Santa Barbara International Film Festival came to a close today. Held about in the coastal town 90 miles north of Los Angeles, the festival attracted a number of Hollywood personalities, including honorees Colin Firth and Julianne Moore. The information below about the Santa Barbara festival’s award winners is from the Sbiff press release. The Panavision Spirit Award for Independent Cinema, given to a unique independent feature that has been made outside mainstream Hollywood, went to Exam (Us Premiere), directed by Stuart Hazeldine, and starring Luke Mably, Nathalie Cox. Eight talented candidates have reached the final stage of selection to join [...]...
- 2/14/2010
- by Anna Robinson
- Alt Film Guide
Cologne, Germany -- Klaus Haero's "Letters to Father Jacob," a drama about a recently released convict who reluctantly agrees to work as an assistant to a blind pastor, won big at Finland's national film honors, the Jussi Awards, taking best film, best director and the best actor statuette for star Heikki Nousiainen.
"Father Jacob," produced by Risto Salomaa and Lasse Saarinen for Kinotar, also won a Jussi for best musical score.
The other big winner at the Jussis was Aleksi Maekelae's thriller "Hellsinki," which also grabbed four trophies, including the audience award, best costume and set design and best supporting actor for Peter Franzen.
"Father Jacob," produced by Risto Salomaa and Lasse Saarinen for Kinotar, also won a Jussi for best musical score.
The other big winner at the Jussis was Aleksi Maekelae's thriller "Hellsinki," which also grabbed four trophies, including the audience award, best costume and set design and best supporting actor for Peter Franzen.
- 2/2/2010
- by By Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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