Loud, Hard, Magical - Happy Birthday, Finland!

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of Finnish independence, a filmic road trip through Finland’s music scene will be released in December.

This is the land of lakes and forests, of saunas and reindeer, of the polar lights and Santa Claus. On 6 December Finland celebrates its independence – which it just secured from Russia. For this occasion, ARTE will undertake an exciting journey to northern Europe. The kick-off is the documentary “Loud, Hard, Magical – The Sound of Finland”, a film on the young republic’s music scene.

What does Finnish DNA sound like? Why are there so many conductors and dance pavilions? How could a classical orchestral work become a secret national anthem? Lauri Porra, great-grandson of the Finnish national composer Jean Sibelius, sets out to search for the most extraordinary and original musicians in his country. On the journey through Finnish Lakeland scenery and birch forests, he not only uncovers the music scene, but also the Finnish way of life and their love for their country. A road trip to Finland’s 100th birthday with the metal cellists Apocalyptica, a screaming male choir, the aspiring conductor Dalia Stasevska and the weird country rockers Steve ‘n’ Seagulls.

The international version is distributed via C Major Entertainment.

English title Loud, Hard, Magical - The Sound of Finland
Original title Laut, hart, magisch - So klingen die Finnen
Genre Music documentary
Recording location Finland
Production year 2017
Duration 52 minutes
Producer Claus Wischmann
Director Wilma Pradetto, Ulrike Neubecker
Camera Reiner Bauer
Editor Michaela Stasch
Distribution TV C Major Entertainment