“There were five of us guys. We stuck together through thick and thin – most of the time. I think we all had normal families. Normal problems. Normal feelings. Nothing we couldn't overcome. And then one year, for some reason, everything started going really wrong.”

KARRI, 17. A car, Mom and the last driving lesson during which Mom wants to discuss some serious issues about life. PETE, 17, is worried about his girlfriend’s well-being after having taken the abortion pill. ANDRÉ, 17, picks up his little brother from daycare once again because their mom is “working overtime.” AKSELI, 17, spends the weekend at his grandparents' and bumps into his alcoholic dad. JONI, 18, has a summer job at an amusement park as a wolf mascot, giving furry hugs to teenage girls. Glimpses into the lives of five young men turning 18 who can soon do anything they want.

This film was written by Maarit Lalli and her son Henrik Mäki-Tanila and produced by Huh huh-filmi. Winner of the Jussi Award, the Finnish equivalent of the Oscar Awards, for best film, director and screenplay in 2013.

ALMOST 18

Poster
  • Premiere: 9.3.2012
  • Genre: Drama
  • Distributor: Nordisk Film
  • Director: Maarit Lalli
  • Duration: 1 hour, 52 minutes
  • Rating: 12
  • Cast: Karim Al-Rifai, Arttu Lähteenmäki, Henrik Mäki-Tanila, Anton Thompson Coon, Ben Thompson Coon, Mari Perankoski, Hannu-Pekka Björkman, Elina Knihtilä.

Awards and Nominations

JUSSI AWARD Nominations 2013

Best Film: Maarit Lalli / Huh huh -filmi
Best Director: Maarit Lalli / Huh huh -filmi
Best Screenplay: Maarit Lalli and Henrik Mäki-Tanila
Best Editing: Maarit Lalli and Jenny Tervakari
Best Cinematography: Rauno Ronkainen, Jan Nyman, Harri Räty
Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Niina Nurminen

Nomination for the SYLVI Screenwriting Award, 2012

QUALITY SUPPORT FOR FILM PRODUCTIONS
Arts Promotions Centre Finland

KATSO MINUUN award 2012
Kirkon Mediasäätiö (The Media Foundation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland)

JUSSI AWARDS 2013:
Best Screenplay: Maarit Lalli and Henrik Mäki-Tanila
Best Director: Maarit Lalli
Best Film: Huh huh -filmi / Maarit Lalli

BALTIC DEBUTS FILM FESTIVAL 2013, main award

Photos

  • Akseli ja isa koppi 3
  • rantakuva-rajattu-yhteystietosivulle
  • pojat kaiteella4
  • Pete ja Akseli painivat
  • Karri, Andrea ja kaljat
  • Kantavat sohvaa
  • Kaikki, uinti, pose