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A woman in a red jacket stands clutching a book and a pen.

The Missile Ohjus

  Miia Tervo

  Finland, Estonia     114 minutes

Synopsis

In an absurd concatenation of events, single mother Niina (Oona Airola) begins working as an archivist at a local paper. She is drawn inexorably into an investigation when a Soviet nuclear missile crashes near her Lapland town. International reporters and handsome strangers descend on the area, and Niina strikes up a relationship with Kai, a fighter pilot who knows a thing or two about the missile.

When her mother says that Finland is a country troubled by a sense of inferiority and unworthiness, Niina knows the feeling. Mistreated by her ex-husband, judged by her family, and dismissed by all with whom she comes in contact, this single mother has never learned to set boundaries. And Miia Tervo’s The Missile knows something about boundaries — specifically, how to shatter them. Based on an actual incident in 1984, The Missile constantly blurs the generic lines between political thriller, newspaper drama, domestic melodrama, and romantic comedy. Confidently walking this tightrope, writer/director Tervo delivers a moving essay on the importance of  self-worth and the extraordinary power of simply saying “no.”

 Finnish with subtitles

In Focus: Finland on Screen

the flag of FinlandThis film is part of the 60th Chicago International Film Festival’s In Focus: Finland on Screen collection showcasing Finland as a vital, rich, and creative filmmaking center with global appeal.

Learn more about this collection

Screenings & Events

Screening

Mon, Oct 21 @ 5:00pm CDT

at AMC NEWCITY 14, screen 01

Scheduled to Attend:
Director Miia Tervo

Screening

Tue, Oct 22 @ 11:45am CDT

at AMC NEWCITY 14, screen 01

Scheduled to Attend:
Director Miia Tervo

Media

Film Credits

  •   Kaisla Viitala, Daniel Kuitunen
  •   Miia Tervo
  •   Antti Reikko
  •   Meelis Veeremets
  •   Oona Airola, Hannu-Pekka Björkman, Tommi Korpela, Pyry Kähkönen
  •   Laura Naukkarinen

Sponsors

Comedy Program Partner

With Support From

logo: Finnish Film Foundation 165x100