Finnish film Aurora travels to SXSW festival

The dark-humoured, romantic comedy follows Aurora (Mimosa Willamo), a young woman from the city of Rovaniemi in Finnish Lapland who spends her days working as a nail technician and nights partying hard.

On a night out, she meets asylum seeker Darian (Amir Escandari), who is desperate to find means to provide for his young daughter, and decides to help him despite her initial reluctance. The film is produced by Max Malka from Dionysos Films.

“It’s awesome that our film is included in such top company,” commented director Tervo, in a release. “The movie is made for people – it’s great that our jibber-jabber is appreciated elsewhere as well. It would be interesting to hear if Kevin Costner, for example, would giggle if he got lost at our screening, as his film is also selected for the same festival.”

Last year, Finnish comedy Heavy Trip (Hevi Reissu) premiered at the prestigious festival that gathers people from film, interactive media, music and more to Austin, Texas, in March.

Aurora will receive its world premiere on 25 January, when it opens the Göteborg Film Festival in Sweden. There it will compete for the Best Nordic Film award worth one million Swedish krona (approximately 100 000 euros).