_{The Woodcutter Story by Mikko Myllylahti}

“I knew this project had a funny and unique vibe,” says Nelissen. “The filmmaker Mikko Myllylahti is a distinctive type of director. He already had a short at Cannes, so I knew he was going to be noticed with this film.” So when Nelissen saw the rough cut of The Woodcutter Story** at Cannes 2021, it decided matters. “I knew this was an extraordinary thing. To be honest, I felt I would eat my hat if it would not be selected for Cannes 2022 in some section.”

The film tells the story of woodcutter Pepe living in an idyllic small town in Finland. Over the course of a few days, his quiet and happy life is destroyed by a series of tragic events. Yet Pepe seems to take it all in his stride, as if he comprehends better than anybody else the secrets of existence...

“It is quite a common story that is happening in Finland these days, where multinationals buy land to create mining opportunities,” says Nelissen of the film that concerns a rural way of life upended by so-called progress. “We, within Western society, really encourage globalization, but this is really the downside of globalization, because it very much messes around with communities.”

The work has a sense of humour and tone reminiscent of Dutch master Alex van Warmerdam (Borgman*, Schneider vs Bax**) Nelissen tells See NL. “Myllylahti creates characters that are very real, but in an absurd way. And through the absurdity, you really get sucked into the story and understand what’s at stake.”

What is more, “I was immediately blown away both by the story and the cinematography, it is incredible,” Nelissen stresses. The Woodcutter Story was shot on 35mm by DOP Arsen Sarkisiants who imbues the work with a “1970s/80s vibe,” even though the film is set in contemporary times. Nelissen applauds Sarkisiants’ daring sense of aesthetic and creative use of zoom shots, and is determined to use the Finnish DOP on other Keplerfilm productions in the future.

The Dutch components within the co-production includes the visual effects, which were provided by leading Dutch post-production house Filmmore. In addition, Lindelotte van der Meer is the film's make-up designer and Minke Lunter the costume designer.

“I was speaking to Minke a month ago: she was happy to be on this project, also because it pushed her to a next level,”  Nelissen mentions as a particular characteristic of co-productions. “When you start to work with people you do not know, but you do know that they are extremely talented, then you get the chance to step up your game.”

“Exchanging international talent can really help to build a stronger Dutch industry,” Nelissen underlines.

The Keplerfilm producer was also impressed by the Aamu Film modus operandi that concentrates squarely on features, without being distracted by other filmmaking forms. “It is a small company that limits the number of directors they work with. They nourish them in a really good way and their talents hardly leave to go to other companies or for other types of work,” he says.

The Woodcutter Story is produced by Aamu Film Company in co-production with Keplerfilm. Sales are handled by Totem Films. For more information on Cannes Film Festival, click here. To see the full screening schedule of the Dutch films in selection and in the market, click here.
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*Film is supported by the Netherlands Film Fund
**Film is supported by the Netherlands Film Fund and Production Incentive