Directed by:
Arto HalonenCinematography:
Hannu-Pekka VitikainenComposer:
Alfi KabiljoCast:
Martti Suosalo, Pamela Tola, Janne Reinikainen, Mikko Kouki, Hannu-Pekka Björkman, Pirjo Lonka, Satu Paavola, Kari Ketonen, Lauri Tilkanen, Eppu Salminen (more)Plots(1)
Toivo's blood is exceptionally powerful. When the Finnish ski team hears about Toivo, they understand they have found a highly prized secret weapon. His blood can improve any athlete's performance, fueling the skiers to success. The prospects are fantastic, and in particular Toivo works closely with one of the most talented of the skiers, Aino. It is the 1980s. Toivo is an unemployed typesetter. His wife Pirkko encourages him to do something useful, so he goes to donate blood. The blood astonishes the hospital nurse who assists him. The Finnish national ski team then discovers the special qualities of Toivo blood, and soon Toivo joins the team's technical division to take up his secret role as a human blood-tank. Finland's brightest star is making a breakthrough: Aino. A young woman, Aino is not only a good skier but an impressive public brand, with the nickname Finnmaiden. Soon, Toivo and Aino become an integral pair. With Toivo's help, Aino skis to the top of the world rankings. Just before the most important race, however, a disaster occurs, which jeopardizes the highest goal: Olympic victory. Once again, the Finnish team's success is placed in Toivo's hands. Will the dangerous plan succeed? What will Toivo do? What will happen to Aino? And most important of all: Is Toivo a patriotic man? (official distributor synopsis)
(more)Reviews (1)
This year’s Nordic Film Winter Festival was definitely worth a visit – it introduced me to this Finnish sports film, which reminded me a bit of the Czech film Fair Play with its premise. Although there are only two points of connection between these two films, they are very significant. Sports and doping. And while our Fair Play was rather harsh, or I’d even say cruel, the Finnish film A Patriotic Man is sometimes quite funny, which is quite a nice surprise for a Scandinavian film. It took me a while to get used to the Finns, but after about the third endless party, which ended up with some whores in some shabby, dirty brothel, I had it covered. It is interesting to note that during the Cold War, doping was not only the Eastern Bloc’s prerogative, but that the Finns also had a few aces up their sleeve. How it all turned out is another matter...
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