Documentaries
LIFE ON THE EDGE - THE OUTER ISLETS
Outer islets are an extreme habitat. There is little shelter when a storm hits, and no shade from the scorching heat. Yet the islets are home to a wide variety of life which is adapted to exceptionally harsh conditions. In spring and autumn, the outer islets are important resting places for migratory birds, and many birds also stay to nest in the extreme conditions of the islets. The skerries are also the realm of seals.
From harsh to severe - The changing nature of the poison swamps is a nature documentary about the fascinating, but also extreme, nature of outdoor swamps. The documentary captures life on the reef at all times of the year and day, including from the perspective of a sea eagle in the sky and the mysterious world of the hissing eagle from beneath the surface.
The documentary will be shown on Yle TV 1 in December 2024.
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Directed by Petteri Saario
Screenplay by Petteri Saario
Cinematography by Antti Saario and Petteri Saario
Editing by Petteri Saario
Sound design by Joonatan "Junde" Hietanen
Content expert: Jouko Högmander
Production by DocArt, Tiina Saario and Petteri Saario
RAP AND REINDEER
Rap and Reindeer follows the life of 18-year-old Sámi rapper Mihhku Laiti, who lives in the northernmost corner of Sámiland in Utsjoki. This coming-of-age story follows Mihkku on his journey towards a career as a musician and rise to stardom in the midst os varying expectations. Mihkku proudly wears a Sámi costume he designed himself, raps and yoiks in harmony, succeeds in Talent Finland competition, designs his brand on a computer and styles his Sámi clothing, but also masters the skill of reindeer hearding. He sees his roots and the Sámi language as his greatest strength. The future makes him wonder: to follow his father's footsteps or reach for his dreams?
Rap and Reindeer participated in the DocPoint Impact project, which developed and prepared an impact campaign to raise awareness of Sámi culture, especially in schools.
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Duration: 75 min
Year of production: 2023
Written and directed by Petteri Saario
Assistant director: Antti Saario
Cinematography by Antti Saario and Petteri Saario
Editing by Matti Näränen
Music: Markku Kanerva, Mihkku Laiti
Sound design by Joonatan Hietanen
Impact producer: Sari Orkomies
Production by DocArt, Petteri Saario and Tiina Saario
In collaboration with: the Yle Film Team
Production support: the Finnish Film Foundation & Avek
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Oulu International Children's and Youth Film Festival 2023, Grand Prize of the National Competition
Chicago International Children's Film Festival, USA 2023
European Union Film Festival, Ottawa, Toronto & Vancouver Canada, 2023
Umeå Film Festival, Sweden, 2023
Verzio Film Festival, Budapest Hungary, 2023
Prix Europa nomination, Berlin, 2024
Vaasa Wildlife Festival 2024, 3rd place Best Nordic Nature
OPERATION SAIMAA SEAL
Operation Saimaa Seal is a documentary film about the Saimaa ringed seal, its captivating habitat in Lake Saimaa, and the unwavering efforts of researchers who aim to save this critically endangered species. Climate change poses a grim future for the Saimaa ringed seal. The seal requires snow and ice to reproduce, but in the future there may not be snow or ice on Lake Saimaa during winters. What will happen to the seal when climate change threatens to destroy its living conditions? Researchers have a solution: seal nesting boxes. But what kind of artificial nest will the seal accept as its home?
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Duration:
Year of production: 2023
Directed by Petteri Saario
Cinematography by Petteri Saario and Antti Saario
Screenplay by Petteri Saario
Editing by Petteri Saario
Production by DocArt, Petteri Saario and Tiina Saario
In cooperation with: Yle, Our Saimaa Seal LIFE and the Raija and Ossi Tuuliainen Foundation
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Nature Film Festival Vaasa Wildlife 2024, Vaasa Finland: best Finnish nature film
Matsalu Nature Film Festival 2024, Lihula Estonia: finalist
European Wildlife Awards 2025, Hamburg Germany: nomination
MAIDEN OF THE LAKE
13-year old Emika and her cousin Antti like to spend their free time in the wild. They camp out on a remote island, roam the untouched forest, observe the fauna, go swimming, fish and pick blueberries. In the winter holidays they sleep on the frozen lake under the Northern lights and at Easter they love to watch the Saimaa ringed seals – the rarest seals in the world. Maiden of the Lake is a film that shows how exciting nature can be.
Produced in collaboration with production company Citizen Jane (formerly Pohjola Filmi), this nature documentary for children has been a success at festivals. The film was produced both as a feature-length cinema film and as a four-part series. Both the film and the short film "Winter Lake" in the series have won several awards. Winter Lake competed in the IDFA Kids&Docs series, among others.
Yle Areena
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Duration: 75 min
Year of production: 2019
Directed, shot and written by Petteri Saario
Editing by Matti Näränen
Music by Markku Kanerva
Produced by Citizen Jane Productions, Elina Pohjola and Leila Lyytikäinen
In cooperation with: Yle Children's programmes
Production support: the Finnish Film Foundation, AVEK, Raija and Ossi Tuuliainen Foundation
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Mo&Friese Children's Short Film Festival: FRIESE Prize (Winter Lake) Hamburg Germany 2021
KUKI - 13th International Short Film Festival for Children and Youth: Audience Award (Winter Lake), Berlin Germany 2020
Olympia International Film Festival for Children and Young People: Best Short & medium length documentary Award (Winter Lake), Greece 2020
Filem'On - The International Film Festival for Young Audiences: ECFA Documentary Award (Vedenneito) 2020
Jussi 2020, Markku Kanerva's composition nominated in the Music category
IDFA 2019, Amsterdam, Winter Lake film in the Kids&Docs competition series
Oulu International Children's and Youth Film Festival 2019. The main prize in the domestic competition goes to The Water Maiden
ACTIVIST
A modern Jeanne D'Arc story of a determined teenager who commences
a battle against one of the world’s largest mining companies. The miner’s daughter fights
for the future of her home village and for an outstanding mire protected by European
Union’s nature programme.
Is everything for sale when the bid is high enough? Activist is a portrait of a young girl and her strong will to make a difference. Trying to change things is often tiring but also rewarding, opening doors to opportunities that are rarely accessible to young ones.
The activist film was made in 2017 and has since inspired audiences around the world. It has toured successfully at international film festivals for over two years, having received over 40 screenings in 19 countries around the world.
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Duration: 57 min.
Year of production: 2017
Directed, shot and written by Petteri Saario
Assistant director and research: Sari Orkomies
Editing by Petteri Saario
Music by Perttu Hietanen
Production by DocArt, Tiina Saario and Petteri Saario
In collaboration with: the Yle Documentary Project
Production support: the Finnish Film Foundation, AVEK
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Northern Character Green Screen International Film Festival 2020, Russia: Best Documentary Award
EcoFest International Festival of Ecology Films 2019, Romania: Special Jury Prize
Cinema Verde International Environmental Film Festival 2019, USA: Best Solution Award
IFF Ekotopfilm 2019, Slovakia: Prize of the Slovak Environment Agency for Inspiring Message
CinemAmbiente 2018, Italy: best documentary film of the hour
Matsalu Nature Film Festival 2018, Estonia: Best Environmental Film Award and Honorable Mention
Festival MaPlanet 2018, France: the Prix de la Jeunesse award
OUR PRECIOUS FORESTS
Forest. We all have a relationship with it, and no wonder, as Finland is the most densely forested country in Europe. But forests are diverse and so are our perceptions of them. And they are changing - as they always have.
The documentary Our Precious Forest dives into our forests and the use of our forests from many different perspectives. The film presents Finnish forests and the potential of forests through innovative and open-minded people. It features visionaries and developers of our time who see the potential of forests in a new way. At the same time, Our Precious Forest is a documentary about the many different relationships Finns have with forests.
We produced the film as a commission to celebrate the anniversary of the Marjatta and Eino Kolli Foundation. The fruitful collaboration resulted in a stimulating and forward-looking overview of what the future use of forests could be like.
The film was complemented by an extensive online portal arvokasmetsamme.fi
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Duration: 80 min. 80 min. & 30 min.
Year of production: 2019
Directed, shot and written by Petteri Saario
Editing by Petteri Saario
Music by Veera Voima and Roope Aarnio
Web portal: Sari Orkomies and Kari Kuukka
Production by DocArt, Petteri Saario and Tiina Saario
In cooperation with: Eino Kolli Foundation
SERGEI THE HEALER
Sergei the Healer is a documentary film about the village of Venehjärvi in White Karelia, in the middle of one of Europe's most precious natural forests. The film follows the self-sufficient life of the village over five years, through the eyes of three generations. In addition to father and son, Santer and Sergei, the film follows old-timer Sulo Lesonen.
The film, produced by Taiga Films, co-founded by Petteri Saario, Juha Taskinen and Jan Henriksson, was an international success. It represented Finland at the Prix Europe festival in Berlin, won the Silver Horn award at the Krakow Film Festival, was selected for the Moscow Film Festival and was the most-watched documentary of the year on NDR prime time in Germany.
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Duration: 102 min.
Year of production: 2008
Directed, shot, written and edited by Petteri Saario and Juha Taskinen
Music by Perttu Hietanen
Production: Taiga Films
In collaboration with: Yle Co-productions and NDR
Production support: the Finnish Film Foundation
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The most-watched documentary film in Germany in 2009 on NDR's prime time documentary slot
Moscow International Film Festival, 2009, in the FreeThought Documentary programme
Krakow Film Festival, 2009, Silver Horn Award
DocPoint 2009, Helsinki, New Finnish Documentary Series.
Dialektus Festival 2009, Budapest, Final competition.
THE SISU STONE
A documentary about a family living among sea eagles and seals in the Åland archipelago. 9-year-old Elin lives with her father Göran and mother Rosita all year round on the small island of Husö in the Åland archipelago. The Sisu Stone is a portrait of the self-sufficient life of an island family and the extraordinary and intimate relationship between man and nature. The film is a tribute to the endangered island culture and archipelago nature.
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Duration: 63 min.
Year of production: 2004
Directed, shot and written by Petteri Saario
Editing by Petteri Saario
Music by Perttu Hietanen
Production by DocArt
In cooperation with: Yle Teema, NDR
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International Nature Film Festival (IWFF) 2006, Missoula, USA: Honorable Mention
Gothenburg Film Festival 2005: in the Nordic Light series
Wildlife Vaasa Nature Film Festival 2004: Special Jury Prize
Matsalu International Nature Film Festival 2004, Estonia: in competition series
Vera Film Festival 2004, Mariehamn, 3rd prize
VILLAGE OF THE SLEEPING BEAUTY
Viktor and Maria Popov live a self-sufficient lifestyle in Viena Karelia, far from money and hustle and bustle. The film follows the couple living in the unique village of Paanajärvi between 1999 and 2001. Released 2005, the film was one of the most-watched documentaries of its time and was awarded at several festivals, including the Grand Award at Asia's largest nature film festival in Japan. The film also represented Finland as a finalist in the Prix Europa. In Germany, it was the most-watched documentary film of the year on NDR's prime time documentary programme in 2002.
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Duration: 53 min.
Year of production: 2008
Directed and written by Petteri Saario
Description by Juha Taskinen
Editing by Raimo Raitahila
Music by Perttu Hietanen
Production: Taiga Films
In cooperation with: Yle Co-productions, Ministry of the Environment, Finnish Cultural Foundation, Juminkeko, Arhippa Perttunen Foundation
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Japan Wildlife Festival 2003: Grand Award
Prix Europa Festival 2002 Berlin: Top 5 best European TV documentaries of 2002
Barents TV Festival 2002 Documentary series: honourable mention
Wildlife Europe Film Festival 2001: Special Jury Prize
Matsalu International Nature Film Festival 2004, Estonia: in competition
Wildlife Vaasa Nature Film Festival 2003: TOP3 list
Barents TV Festival 2002: honourable mention
Pärnu International Documentary and Anthropology Film Festival 2002: VISU award
Wildlife Europe Film Festival 2001, Sundsvall: Special Jury Prize
ARCTIC DESERT
The film delves into the soul and work of a scientist. It takes place in the Arctic wilderness of the Northeastern Svalbard. A group of geologists search for unknown evidence of climate change in the Arctic.
Shot in the Svalbard, the film is director Petteri Saario's northernmost film. For the film, the crew had to pass a shooting test in case of an encounter with a polar bear. The film was produced by Kinovid.
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Duration: 72 min.
Year of production: 2011
Directed, shot and written by Petteri Saario
Editing by Petteri Saario
Music by Stefan Paavola and Antti Hytti
Production by Kinovid Productions, Timo Humaloja
In collaboration with: the Yle Documentary Project
Production support: the Finnish Film Foundation, AVEK
WILD WILD CANARY - GUANCHE'S LAST WHISTLE
A documentary about the unique nature and culture of the Canary Islands - and the devastation caused by uncontrolled mass tourism. A film about how tourism can even rewrite history.
The Canary Islands are known for their pleasant climate and the millions of tourists it attracts. Few people know that the islands are a world-class natural destination, home to more indigenous species than the Galapagos.
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Duration: 52 min.
Year of production: 2001
Directed, shot and written by Petteri Saario
Editing by Raimo Raitahila
Music by Perttu Hietanen
Production: Tekstivirta
In cooperation with: Yle Co-productions, European Union, Fritidsresor, Ministry of the Environment, WWF
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Ökomedia, Germany 2001: in competition
EcoTourIndFilm Festival 2001, Romania: Best Environmental Documentary Award
International Environmental Film Festival, Istanbul 2001: Award for Best Documentary by the Turkish Film Critics Association
THE BECKHAMS OF UTSJOKI
The Beckhams of Utsjoki is an intimate and honest portrayal of Sámi people today, told through the experiences of three generations. Filmed in Utsjoki, the northernmost municipality in Finland and the European Union, the film tells about a life of one family: Niila Laiti, a reindeer herder and renowned salmon rower, Annukka Hirvasvuopio-Laiti, a strong influencer of Sámi culture, Kirsti Laiti, Niila's mother, and Annukka and Niila's sons Mihku and Áilu. The family's life is followed from the reindeer herds to the salmon kingdom, from baptisms to markets, from old homes to new ones, over a period of almost three years. In addition to depicting the everyday life and festivities of the Sámi people, the film takes the viewer to the most spectacular wilderness of Upper Lapland, from the Kevo canyon to the salmon spawning streams, both in the glow of the brown, when the ice is leaving and when the northern lights are shining in the northern sky.
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Duration: 73 min.
Year of production: 2009
Directed, shot and written by Petteri Saario
Editing by Petteri Saario
Music by Annukka Hirvasvuopio-Laiti and Vilddas
Production by DocArt / Tiina Saario and Petteri Saario
In collaboration with: Yle Co-productions and NDR
CALL FROM USAMBARA
A documentary film about one of the most valuable tropical forests in the world. Usambara, a nature reserve and mountain rainforest in Tanzania, is one of the world's most valuable biodiversity hotspots. Its natural values were destroyed by forestry operations planned and funded by the Finns. Damage to the area was stopped by an international outcry.
The fate of the rainforests of eastern Usambara is in the mist. The film is a story not only about the unique natural values of Eastern Usambara, but also about the colourful everyday life of the jungle villages and the influence and importance of Finland in the country. The film gives the floor to the residents of Usambara: people and nature.
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Duration: 33 min.
Year of production: 2002
Directed, shot and written by Petteri Saario
Editing by Raimo Raitahila
Production: Tekstivirta
In cooperation with: Yle Teema, Development Cooperation Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
WHEN THE COD RAN OUT
Fishing has been practised for hundreds of years on the island of Bornholm in Denmark . The sea has brought bread to the table and cod fishing has provided a prosperity for the islanders. Until the day comes when the cod populations in the sea collapse and fishing is restricted, and even banned. The sea is polluted and overfished. Young people are not interested in fishing and the island's fishermen are dwindling.
Documentary film tells the story of fish-smelling men and the fishing deadlock on the island of Bornholm. It is a portrayal of the bond between man and nature, a bond which, if broken, is fatal not only for nature but also for the people who live from it.
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Duration: 52 min.
Year of production: 2004
Screenplay, direction, photography by Petteri Saario
Production by Tiina and Petteri Saario DocArt
In cooperation with: NDR and Yle
SVEN QUIJOTE
Sven Quijote is a story of a farming family on the island of Gotland.
It is an in-depth look at what life is like in the countryside of Sweden's largest island, from the perspective of several generations. The film is a story of a vanishing peasant culture and how farming, both in Gotland and elsewhere in the Nordic countries, has become a struggle against the windmills. An entire way of life is collapsing as the number of farms has been severely reduced. The documentary is the story of a community where life is serene one moment and joyfull and wild the next.
Sven Quixote is a story of caring, strength and mastery of everyday life, as well as of the stunning Gothic landscape and nature with its southern cliffs and cliff tops. The film is a classic follow-up documentary that has taken a lot of time to make.
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Duration: 88 min.
Year of production: 2006
Directed and written by Petteri Saario
Cinematography by Jan Henriksson and Petteri Saario
Production by DocArt Tiina and Petteri Saario
In cooperation with: Yle Teema, NDR
THE NATURE OF FINLAND
Nature of Finland portrays the fragility and harshness of Finnish nature. The film visits the edge of the earth: in searing heat and freezing cold, in light and darkness, in calm and storm. The fillm views nature through the eyes of a white-tailed eagle from the sky and a salmon from beneath the surface. It goes hand in hand with the cycle of nature, from birth to death, from death to birth, at all times of the year and day.
A film about the common path of Finnish nature and the Finnish people. The film is based on a dialogue of film, music, sound and historical stories. Combining these elements with live music by the Suo Ensemble resulted a film concert for Finland's 90th anniversary celebrations.
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Duration: 59 min.
Year of production: 2007
Directed and written by Petteri Saario
Cinematography by Jan Henriksson, Petteri Saario
Editing by Petteri Saario
Music by Veera Voima and the Suo Band
Production by Petteri Saario and Tiina Saario, DocArt
In cooperation with: Yle Co-productions, Finnish Environment Institute, Ministry of Education, Ministry of the Environment, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Sitra
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International Environmental Film Festival Green Vision 2008, St Petersburg. Award for Beauty and Humanism.