A Summer by the River (Finnish: Kuningasjätkä) is a 1998 Finnish film written and directed by Markku Pölönen. The film is set in the 1950s Eastern Finland and tells the story of father Tenho (Pertti Koivula) and son Topi (Simo Kontio) after Tenho's wife — Topi's mother — dies and leaves the two men unable to pay rent. The two men move out of the family home and spend the summer working as lumberjacks in log driving, sleeping on the riverbank and growing closer together through the experience.

A Summer by the River
A Summer by the River theatrical release poster (Finnish)
Directed byMarkku Pölönen
Written byMarkku Pölönen
Produced byKari Sara
StarringPertti Koivula
Simo Kontio
Esko Nikkari
Anu Palevaara
Peter Franzén
CinematographyKari Sohlberg
Edited byJukka Nykänen
Music byVesa Mäkinen
Distributed byBuena Vista International
Release date
  • 9 February 1998 (1998-02-09)
Running time
85 minutes
CountryFinland
LanguageFinnish
BudgetFIM6,275,088
Box office$1.9 million (Finland)[1]

The film was a major success at the 1999 Jussi Awards winning in five categories including Best Film, Best Actor and Best Direction. The film was selected as the Finnish entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 71st Academy Awards but was not accepted as a nominee.[2][3]

Cast and characters

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ Buddrus, Petra (5 February 1999). "Finnish Box Office Ambushed". Screen International. p. 39.
  2. ^ Margaret Herrick Library, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
  3. ^ "45 Countries Submit Films for Oscar Consideration". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. 19 November 1998. Archived from the original on 19 February 1999. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
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