It’s a boxing movie, Jim, but not as we know it. Every since it yomped to victory in the Un Certain Regard strand at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival, Juho Kuosmanen’s The Happiest Day in the Life of Olli Mäki has been stealing hearts across the globe.
The film concerns Finland’s attempt at global boxing supremacy via the gloved paws of one Olli Mäki (Jarkko Lahti) – perhaps one of the most avuncular and midl-mannered pugilists every to set foot on the circuit.
It looks at the intersection of private and professional lives, as Olli is fast-tracked to the professional tier and must ponder over where that leaves him with regard to his doting girlfriend, Raija (Oona Airola).
This bittersweet comedy is shot in gorgeous black-and-white and on film, and to give you a little taster of what that looks like, please take a glance at the exclusive clip below.
Director Kuosmanen is in London on 19 April and LWLies editor David Jenkins will be asking him questions after a screening of Olli Mäki at the ICA. Advance tickets are available here.
Published 10 Apr 2017
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