A war story Finns and Russians both tried to bury — told by the children who survived it.
A little-known page in the history of the great Patriotic war. Hard days of the occupation of Soviet Karelia by the Finns. The war was the hardest test for everyone, but especially for children. The story is based on the memories of young prisoners of Finnish migrant camps.
Acting
Non-professional child performers with devastating authenticity.
Direction
Yakimchuk's refusal to sensationalize what needs no drama.
Production
Shot near actual former camp locations in Karelia.
Director
Alexandr Yakimchuk
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Finnish 'työsiirtolat' (labor camps) for Soviet civilians remain barely acknowledged in Nordic WWII history, making this a rare cinematic intervention.
Director Yakimchuk used his own mother's camp diary entries, then destroyed the original pages after filming — claiming the film became the true memorial.
RU
