Pirjo Heikkilä takes her deadpan comic creation to Sweden in Pirjo i Sverige, a warm, wildly funny feature co-written with director Lauri Nurkse. As Pirjo investigates her possible royal roots, the film turns strained encounters, the desire to fit in and hazy family lore into one delightfully unpredictable ride.
Pirjo Heikkilä is the funniest Finn I’ve seen on the big screen these days.
If I had to describe her style in two words, they would be: pokka pitää. In English, she’s a master of the poker face, but that doesn’t quite capture the expression’s more socially complex connotations in Finnish. Watching Pirjo i Sverige will take you far.
Director Lauri Nurkse (Veijarit (Hustlers)) and Heikkilä share a rare co-writing synergy in comedy.
They make social awkwardness an art form.
In Pirjo i Sverige (Pirjo in Sweden, a comic blend of Finnish and Swedish), Pirjo travels to Sweden in search of the Swedish royals, who, according to a rumor in the family, may be related to her.
The heartwarming and laugh-out-funny story is as much about social acceptance and belonging as it’s about delivering comic jolts from the screen.
Other notable actors include Yuko Takeda (Syke (Pulse)), a Japanese immigrant living in Finland, who plays Sachiko, a Moomin fan and a believer in Pirjo and her mission.
Pirjo Heikkilä and Lauri Nurkse make social awkwardness an art form.
Heikkilä’s journey as Pirjo began with the short-form comedy series of the same name on the national broadcaster Yle in 2018.
It’s a laugh machine, turning real-world encounters into living-room hilarity.
Pirjo i Sverige takes the laughs to cinemas.
Sit tight, if you can.
‘Pirjo i Sverige’ opens in cinemas on October 9.
FILM DETAILS
Title: Pirjo i Sverige
English/International title: Pirjo in Sweden
Production year: 2026
Running time: 88 minutes
Cast: Pirjo Heikkilä, Ilaria Tucci, Yuko Takeda, Kaisa Pylkkänen, Heidi Herala, Henrika Andersson, Sophia Heikkilä, Anna Pashley, Kai Bäckström
Director: Lauri Nurkse
Screen writer: Pirjo Heikkilä
