21/02/2003 - Popularity of Finnish films grows at home, in 2002, twice as many Finns saw a local title and prospects for 2003 are rosy

With 1.3 million admissions and a 17 per cent share of the domestic market, Finnish titles attracted twice as many local filmgoers in 2002 than the previous year. According to the Finnish Film Foundation, total cinema admissions for 2002 reached 7.7 million; an 18.4 per cent increase on 2001.
Although 4 US blockbusters topped the 2002 chart with The Lord of The Rings 1 setting a new Finnish record with 548,384 tickets sold, four local titles, with over 200,000 admissions each, managed to get into the year’s Top 10. Rölli ja metsänhenki (Rolli) by Olli Saarela was 5th , Minä ja Morrison (Me And Morrison) by Lenka Hellstedt, produced by Solar Films and distributed by BVI was 6th, Kuutamolla (Lovers and Leavers) by Aku Louhimies was 8th, and Heinähattu ja Vilttitossu (Hayflower and Quiltshoe) directed by Kaisa Rastimo, produced by Kinotaurus and distributed by FS Film, brought up the rear in 10th position.
The forecast for Finnish films in 2003 is just as promising. The year got off to a good start after Bad Boys by Aleksi Makela sold over 300,000 tickets in its first three weeks on general release. At present Raid by Tapio Pitainen is Finland’s most popular film with a Euros331,285 box office gross in 10 days. This title was released by Columbia, with Nordisk Film International Sales handling worldwide sales.