THE TOUGH ONES - Rebellion is not a solution, it´s a way of life
Jussi (Samuli Edelmann) and Antti (Juha Veijonen) are the tough ones, who can´t live by the law.
The story begins when Antti and Jussi are released and return to their small home town to discover that Heikki is the new acting sheriff and their hidden bank loot has disappeared.
Despite Heikki´s encouragement, the straight and narrow way proves unprofitable and the two ex-cons join Antti´s grandfather in the family bootlegging business, the motto being:
"Honest work has never paid off, and never will".
Events turn sour when Antti and Jussi sell moonshine to minors, turning the town against them. Heikki´s alleged negligence in the whole affair produces and old enemy in the shape of police chief Törnqvist who arrives to investigate the town´s dissatisfaction.
As tragedy mounts, an unpredictable and psychotic Jussi drags Antti into a spiral of destruction that not even Sisko - sister of one, lover of the other - can prevent.
The duo´s last desperate bid for freedom ends in a surprise that a repentant Antti will never suspect - a secret between Heikki...
... and the audience.
Selected technical credits and production info
director: ALEKSI MÄKELÄ
producer: MARKUS SELIN
screenwriter: ALEKSI BARDY
director of photography: PINI HELLSTEDT
sound designer: PEKKA KARJALAINEN
editor: KAUKO LINDFORS
production designer: RISTO KARHULA
music: KALLE CHYDENIUS
costume designer: NINA PUUMALAINEN
make-up supervisor: MARIKA VANHATALO
assistant director: HANNA APAJALAHTI
production managers: MIKA KARTTUNEN, RAMPE TOIVONEN
stills photographer: PEKKA MUSTONEN
graphic designer: MARKO MUONA
publicity: RAMPE TOIVONEN
Production:
Solar Films Inc. Oy
in association with:
YLE Finland TV 2 / Juha Rosma
supported by:
Finnish Film Foundation / Erkki Astala
Released 15.1.1999
35 mm / colour / 2.35:1 / DTS Digital Sound / 99 min
Selected cast credits
Jussi Murikka SAMULI EDELMANN
Antti Karhu JUHA VEIJONEN
Heikki Grönberg TEEMU LEHTILÄ
Grandfather Karhu KALEVI HAAPOJA
Roope Karhu ARTTU KAPULAINEN
Sisko Nenonen SARI HAVAS
Stig Nenonen EERO AHO
Paula PIA LATOMÄKI
Törnqvist KARI VÄÄNÄNEN
Rahikainen VESA MÄKELÄ
Romppainen OIVA LOHTANDER
Paananen JUSSI LAMPI
Laura KATARIINA KAITUE
Edelmann and Veijonen
The truth behind the story
The Tough Ones (Häjyt) were rebellious peasants who roamed the small villages of the west coast of Finland from the late 18th century until the early 1900´s. Armed with knives and fuelled by moonshine, they were ruthless criminals devoid of any Robin Hood-like-features. They stole from rich and poor and mutilated and killed all opponents, whether friend or foe.
If caught and sent to justice, they lied shamelessly and silenced unfavourable witnesses as a matter of course.
The most famous of them were Antti Isotalo (Big House) and Antti Rannanjärvi (Lakeshore), both convicted on several occasions to hard labour. Rannanjärvi met his fate in a knife fight but Isotalo lived on into old age, treasuring memories of wilder times.
The tide of emigration from Finland´s west coast to America
ended the days of the "Häjyt". The new heroes were those who returned with pockets full of dollars.
A word from the director
To me, it´s a true western
"I have been a big fan of western movies ever since I was a kid.
Had I made this movie five years ago, it would have been different:
boyish and lighter. Time took it´s toll: I got older and the passing
years matured the story: now it is a dramatic tale that starts as a
comedy but turns into a tragedy.
The action carries the story, but inside there are deep emotions:
hopeless love, empty barroom bravado and despair that turns into violence.
These over-aged juvenile delinquents are two sons-of-bitches with no prospects and no ideals. But even they have feelings.
I expect no sympathy from the audiences towards them. But I know that atrocities committed by people like this are universal -
you can come across them in any part of the world.
This story happens to take place in Finland and in Kauhava.
Nevertheless, to me, it is a true western."
Aleksi Mäkelä
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