Finnish Filmmaker Toni Kurkimaki Preps ‘Häyhä’, About The White Death Sniper in Finnish Winter War
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Loading... - Angela Auge
- 04 Dec 2024
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Finnish writer-director Toni Kurkimaki is in the process of developing Häyhä, a war drama that tells the compelling story of Simo Häyhä, a legendary Finnish sniper known for his extraordinary marksmanship during the Finnish Winter War of 1939-1940. The film is set against the backdrop of the unbroken Kollaa frontline, a significant site of conflict during the war, with November 30 marking the 85th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s invasion of Finland.
Simo Häyhä, often referred to as "The White Death," is credited with killing over 500 enemy soldiers, making him one of the most lethal snipers in military history. His remarkable feats have made him a figure of fascination, and Kurkimaki aims to explore the complexities of his character and the moral dilemmas he faced in combat.
The script for Häyhä is being penned by Kurkimaki himself, with production led by Mikko Jokipii, Pekka Pohjoispaa, and Tuukka Haapamaki for Finland’s Blankface Films. Casting is currently underway, and production is slated to begin in early 2026, with an anticipated international release in 2027.
To ensure authenticity, the film will feature Tapio Saarelainen, a former sniper from the Finnish Defence Forces and an expert on Häyhä, as an advisor and weapons trainer. His involvement is expected to lend credibility to the film's portrayal of sniper tactics and the realities of warfare.
Nordisk Film has secured the Nordic distribution rights for the film, which is expected to draw significant interest given the enduring legacy of Häyhä in Finnish culture and history.
Kurkimaki previously directed Lapua 1976, a historical drama about a real-life fire at a munitions factory in Finland, which garnered three nominations at Finland’s national Jussi Awards, winning the Audience Favourite in Acting award for Linnea Leino.
In discussing the film, Kurkimaki stated, “The myth surrounding Simo Häyhä keeps circulating in social media, and many books and papers have studied his methods. The aim of our film is to go deeper into Simo’s psyche and show who he really is and what it takes to do what he does—to defend your home and loved ones by stopping the invading forces one by one, as each shot he takes makes the moral burden heavier.”
He added, “At the same time, we will show how grim the war was on the Kollaa front, one of the most legendary battlefields in Finnish history. Häyhä was put on a pedestal to lift the spirits of the forces, but he never wanted this attention.”
As Häyhä moves forward in development, it promises to be a poignant exploration of heroism, sacrifice, and the psychological toll of war, shedding light on a pivotal moment in Finnish history.
