Nälkämaan Sampo

The Talvivaara mine in northern Finland was supposed to be a revolutionary project: the first mine in the world to utilise a new, completely environmentally friendly technique to mine metals. Finland was supposed to become an exemplary country in new generation mining at a time when the mineral reserves of the world are nearly exhausted. The celebrations are stopped short when an environmental disaster after another ensues. The government has decided that Finland's future lies in mining, and will not let the new mine close. Frustrated citizens protest the government's actions and distrust the research results provided by the mining company, while the colourful CEO Pekka Perä laughs off any criticisms of his company. The film introduces viewers to a range of characters, who all experience the consequences of the project's failure from different perspectives: a priest, a fisherman, a mathematician, a farmer, government officials, consultants, lawyers and politicians. The film reflects the mechanisms of the Finnish welfare society and the structures that surround the mine. It provides a credible close up of both Finnish environmental activism and governmental and business culture. (Savonlinna International Nature Film Festival)