The Happiest Day in the Life of Olli MÄKI

PAST FILM SCREENING

November 1 – 2PM + 7:30 PM

Finland / Sweden / Germany, 2016 – Rated PG – 92 minutes
 – in Finnish and English with English subtitles
Written by Juho Kuosmanen, Mikko Myllylahti
Directed by Juho Kuosmanen
Cast: Oona Airola, Jarkko Lahti, Eero Milonoff 

UN CERTAIN REGARD AWARD – Cannes (Juho Kuosmanen)

The true story of Olli Mäki, the famous Finnish boxer who had a shot at the 1962 World Featherweight title. Immensely talented and equally modest, Olli’s small town life is transformed when he is swept into national stardom and suddenly regarded as a symbol of his country. There’s only one problem: Olli has just fallen in love. Inside of the ring, it’s Finland vs. the USA, but outside, boxing and romance become unlikely adversaries vying for Olli’s attention. This charming feature debut from Juho Kuosmanen was awarded the Un Certain Regard Prize at the Cannes Film Festival.

“A lyrical sense of bittersweet acceptance permeates freshman director Juho Kuosmanen’s marvelous sports biopic from its very first, perfectly composed frame.”
– Guy Lodge, Variety 

“Kuosmanen’s impeccable, buoyant first feature upends all the conventions of the fight film genre.” – Paul Ennis, NOW Toronto