Solarfilms Inc.

The principal photography was scheduled to start on March 9th in Joensuu, but now, after 10 years of preparation, it has been pushed back.

The Danish parent company of Liberty Production has withdrawn its additional funding, considering it too risky.

“It is a great pity if we have to stop just before we are ready to shoot. We have invested over 3,0 million € in the pre-production and it would be a catastrophy if we have to push the shoot”, says producer Markus Selin.

“All the sets for the winter shoot are ready, the wardrobe of the whole movie has been completed and the international crew already in Finland. The only one missing is the special make-up designer Greg Cannom, who is currently in Los Angeles, getting ready for the annual Oscar-gala where he is a strong favorite for his third award from his work of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Like I have said on numerous occasions, Mannerheim has been the biggest dream in my career. I have never worked with a more devoted crew. The disappointment of the present situation is so enormous that I can’s find the words to describe my feelings” says director Renny Harlin.

The winter period of the shoot is scheduled to commence in 2 weeks and the international crew of over 100 people has been prepping for months,

“I am so sorry for the cast and crew, who have put their soul into this movie, and especially for the director Renny Harlin, who took a big risk when he moved from Hollywood to Finland to make this movie. He has been working hard for ten years to make this happen. The domestic financiers in Finland have been active. But the world-wide recession has frozen the international financing and it seems to be that the required additional funding is not available in Finland. We are also very sorry for the theatre owners in Finland. This movie would mean a lot to them” continues Selin.

The final decision of the new schedule will be made early next week