“Sisu” is a war action film written and directed by Finnish filmmaker Jalmari Helander. The film stars veteran Eastern European actors, namely Jorma Tommila, Aksel Hennie, Jack Doolan, and Mimosa Willamo. It debuted in September last year at the Toronto International Film Festival and received critical acclaim. The film has recently been released on the Amazon Prime Video platform. To what extent does this brutal war action film give a new twist to the genre?
Set during the Second World War in Finland, an old miner (Tommila) discovers a large lump of gold in his excavation. He divides the gold into small lumps, which he carries on his horse. On his journey, he encounters a platoon of German troops with heavy artillery, holding several young local girls in one of their trucks. The leader (Hennie) dismisses the old man as a non-threat. However, a few German troops trailing behind discover gold on his horse. When they attempt to execute him, the old man turns the tables and kills them all. The troops at the front return to find traces of gold among the corpses of their comrades. It is then revealed that the old man is a legendary officer named Aatami Korpi, nicknamed “Koschei,” who was said to have single-handedly massacred 300 enemy troops.
With minimal dialogue, the film unfolds like a relentless pursuit, akin to a pack of wolves chasing their prey. The plot is straightforward, focusing on how Korpi can survive and reclaim what belongs to him. Without further ado, the audience is immersed in brutal acts that are often uncomfortable to watch due to their sadistic nature. Everything is presented realistically, with mine explosions depicted explicitly, causing severe lacerations to human bodies. The film also features jaw-dropping hang-on-the-rope scenes, a familiar trope presented uniquely within the story’s setting.
A standout technical aspect is the cinematography, dominated by wide shots with measured compositions. “Sisu” presents a dramatic chase action against a backdrop of mountains, forests, and vast fields. Some shots carry additional meaning, such as the shocking scene where Nazi soldiers use two women in front of a tank to clear a road full of mines. Another notable aspect is the performance of the aging star, Jorma Tommila, who plays the cold and violent Korpi, stealing the show. Veteran actor Aksel Hennie also shines as the ruthless SS commander.
With its brutal presentation, “Sisu” delivers a World War II-era “Rambo” plot with a fresh and effective script, coupled with captivating cinematography. Despite its somewhat absurd climax, “Sisu” stands out as a rare spectacle from overseas, providing entertainment comparable to popular Hollywood films in the action genre. War enthusiasts, in particular, should not miss this special film.
