Finland's Oscar pick gets a masterpiece stamp

Markus Lehmusruusu's futuristic drama 'The Squirrel' was just selected as Finland's Oscar submission. Legendary filmmaker Aki Kaurismäki called it a masterpiece, comparing it to '2001: A Space Odyssey' but praising it for being full of humanism.

“He said it was like '2001: A Space Odyssey,' but better because it's full of humanism.”

A man finds nature in a sterile future

The protagonist Pasi designs artificial pets in a world where nature and animals no longer exist. Everything changes when he encounters an actual squirrel, possibly the last one alive, and brings it home.

The film explores humanism over control

Lehmusruusu wanted the film to work on two levels: full of humanism, but also showing that humans shouldn't always put themselves first. The story asks what we're willing to sacrifice in the name of protection and progress.

“I hope that it can work on two levels. It's full of humanism, but it also shows that as humans, we shouldn't always put ourselves first.”

Finland's Oscar picks don't follow the formula

Recent Finnish Oscar submissions like 'Euthanizer,' 'Family Time,' and '100 Liters of Gold' have rejected the typical mold. Finland has earned only one nomination in the category, for Aki Kaurismäki's 'The Man Without a Past.'

Lehmusruusu tells stories from the heart

The director believes in telling stories that come from the heart without overthinking where they fit. He's always been interested in films that depict someone's inner world, which cinema can convey like a magic trick.

“It's about telling stories that come from the heart without overthinking where they 'fit'.”

Sexuality becomes primal in a sterile world

The film explores how technology makes us feel omnipotent while detaching us from our most primal forces. Lehmusruusu notes that young people are losing interest in sex, partly repulsed by bodily fluids, making sexuality a major theme.

The squirrel is cute but also destructive

Lehmusruusu deliberately kept the squirrel realistic rather than giving it human expressions. Squirrels are cute but also rodents that destroy things and attack birds. The film shows how we project emotions onto animals we take for granted.

“A squirrel is cute, but it's also a rodent. They destroy things in people's houses and attack small birds.”

Good intentions can lead to bad choices

Rather than obvious villains, the film explores the consequences of indifference. Lehmusruusu shows people with good intentions who've gone too far, making bad choices in the name of protecting families and societies.

“People aren't bad; they are just making bad choices. As a species, we're responsible for a lot of shit.”

The film balances darkness with joy

Lehmusruusu wanted the film to work on multiple levels. If you look deeper, the horror slowly sneaks up on you. But he also wanted it to be entertaining, funny, and joyful for those not willing to dig deeper.

“I want people to find it entertaining, funny and joyful.”