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The producers of ‘Miekkailija (The Fencer)’ posing from left to right: Kai Nordberg, Kaarle Aho and Jörg Bundusch. Märt Avandi, the lead actor of the film, smiling on the right at the YLE studios in Pasila, Helsinki on March 19 2016. Picture: Tony Öhberg for Finland Today
Miekkailija (The Fencer), directed by Klaus Härö, grabbed the Jussi Award for the best film and cinematography. Congratulations! In our opinion, it’s the best Finnish film in a decade.
“The message of the film (Miekkailija) is very important. Today, Finland and Europe is filled with people in bad positions and they need help. I hope that this film will help people to understand that now is the time to reach out for the fellow human being,” said Kai Nordberg, one of the producers of Miekkailija, while holding the statuette of gypsum at the stage of YLE studios in a direct broadcast on Saturday evening.
“The people who have arrived in Finland and other countries, should be treated with compassion and love. In that way, the country will also be better for us to live in.”
[alert type=white ]”The people who have arrived in Finland and other countries, should be treated with compassion and love. In that way, the country will also be better for us to live in.”[/alert]
Miekkailija is the only film in the history of Finnish film, which has been selected in the Oscars’ shortlist and was also a nominee for the Golden Globe Award.
Other highlights of the Jussi celebrations included Krista Kosonen winning the award for the best actress in her phenomenal leading role in Kätilö.
Kosonen herself couldn’t attend the ceremony because she is advancing her career in the US.
Tommi Korpela, a Finnish film trouper, grabbed the award for the best actor in a leading role in Häiriötekijä. This was the third Jussi of his career.
The award for best directing went to Aleksi Salmenperä also for Häiriötekijä, and the popular comedy received still another award for editing.
The prize for the audience favourite went to Luokkakokous, a crazy comedy directed by Taneli Mustonen in the spirit of the popular Hollywood film Hangover (2009).

Antti (Sami Hedberg) (left), Tuomas (Jaajo Linnonmaa) and Niklas (Aku Hirviniemi) in the film ‘Luokkakokous (The Class Reunion)’. Picture: Solar Films

Laura Birn, one of the most accomplished Finnish actresses, posing at 2016 Jussi Awards. Picture: Tony Öhberg for Finland Today

Minka Kuustonen, an actress looking stunning in her dress of crimson. Picture: Tony Öhberg for Finland Today

Eero Ritala, a nominee for the best actor in a supporting role in ‘Häiriötekijä’. Picture: Morgan Walker for Finland Today
[divider]THE COMPLETE LIST OF THE WINNERS AT THE 2016 JUSSI AWARDS[/divider]
Best Film
ARMI ELÄÄ! / producers Misha Jaari, Mark Lwoff
BIG GAME / producer Petri Jokiranta
HÄIRIÖTEKIJÄ / producers Mikko Tenhunen ja Yrjö Nieminen
MIEKKAILIJA / producers Kai Nordberg ja Kaarle Aho
TOISET TYTÖT / producers Matti Halonen, Leila Lyytikäinen
The winner: MIEKKAILIJA / producers Kai Nordberg ja Kaarle Aho
Directing
Jörn Donner / ARMI ELÄÄ!
Jalmari Helander / BIG GAME
Aleksi Salmenperä / HÄIRIÖTEKIJÄ
The winner: Aleksi Salmenperä / HÄIRIÖTEKIJÄ
Actress in a leading role
Minna Haapkylä / ARMI ELÄÄ!
Krista Kosonen / KÄTILÖ
Misa Lommi / TOISET TYTÖT
The winner: Krista Kosonen / KÄTILÖ
Actor in a leading role
Märt Avandi / MIEKKAILIJA
Tommi Korpela / HÄIRIÖTEKIJÄ
Jussi Vatanen / NAPAPIIRIN SANKARIT 2
The winner: Tommi Korpela / HÄIRIÖTEKIJÄ
Actress in a supporting role
Pirjo Lonka / HÄIRIÖTEKIJÄ
Mari Rantasila / HENKESI EDESTÄ
Anna-Leena Sipilä / VIIKOSSA AIKUISEKSI
The winner: Mari Rantasila / HENKESI EDESTÄ
Actor in a supporting role
Eero Ritala / HÄIRIÖTEKIJÄ
Pirkka-Pekka Petelius / KÄTILÖ
Kari Ketonen / NAPAPIIRIN SANKARIT 2
The winner: Pirkka-Pekka Petelius / KÄTILÖ
Script
Karoliina Lindgren / ARMI ELÄÄ!
Teemu Nikki, Jani Pösö / LOVEMILLA
Ville Suhonen / OMPELIJATAR
The winner: Karoliina Lindgren / ARMI ELÄÄ!
Cinematography
Tuomo Hutri F.S.C. / MIEKKAILIJA
Mika Orasmaa F.S.C. / BIG GAME
Rauno Ronkainen F.S.C. / KÄTILÖ
The winner: Tuomo Hutri F.S.C. / MIEKKAILIJA
Music
Stephen McKeon / HENKESI EDESTÄ
Pan Sonic / ATOMIN PALUU
Juri Seppä ja Miska Seppä / BIG GAME
The winner: Pan Sonic / ATOMIN PALUU
Editing
Samu Heikkilä / HÄIRIÖTEKIJÄ
Samu Heikkilä / TOISET TYTÖT
Tuuli Kuittinen / OMPELIJATAR
The winner: Samu Heikkilä / HÄIRIÖTEKIJÄ
Sound design
Timo Anttila ja Tuomas Seppänen / BIG GAME
Kirka Sainio, Samu Heikkilä / HÄIRIÖTEKIJÄ
Pietari Koskinen / OMPELIJATAR
The winners: Timo Anttila ja Tuomas Seppänen / BIG GAME
Set design
Christian Eisele / BIG GAME
Otso Linnalaakso / ARMI ELÄÄ!
Markku Pätilä / HÄIRIÖTEKIJÄ
The winner: Otso Linnalaakso / ARMI ELÄÄ!
Costume design
Anna Vilppunen / LOVEMILLA
Riitta-Maria Vehman / TOISET TYTÖT
Marjatta Nissinen / TYTTÖKUNINGAS
The winner: Marjatta Nissinen / TYTTÖKUNINGAS
Makeup design
Pia Mikkonen / ARMI ELÄÄ!
Riikka Virtanen / HÄIRIÖTEKIJÄ
Salla Yli-Luopa / LOVEMILLA
The winner: Salla Yli-Luopa / LOVEMILLA
Documentary
ATOMIN PALUU / ohjaajat Mika Taanila, Jussi Eerola
HYVÄSTI AFRIKKA / ohjaaja Iiris Härmä
OMPELIJATAR / ohjaaja Ville Suhonen
The winner: OMPELIJATAR / ohjaaja Ville Suhonen
[divider]MORE INFO[/divider]
Jussi Awards celebrates the best achievements within Finnish cinema. The awards are given by Filmiaura, an association of Finnish film professionals. The Jussi Awards cover altogether 15 categories. The first Jussis were given in 1944 and it’s one of the oldest film awards in Europe. The trophy, designed by sculptor Ben Renvall, is made of gypsum and depicts a nude man with a hat.