This Monday, 2 June, Filmpodium Saanenland presents “The Missile – News from Lapland” (Original title: “Ohjus – Uutisia Lapista”) at the Kino Gstaad, a darkly comic film by Finnish director Miia Tervo.

Set in remote northern Finland in 1984, the film follows Niina Kuittinen, a single mother who accidentally smashes the panoramic window of the Lapland News office. Unable to pay for the damage, she strikes a deal to work off her debt by writing articles for the paper. But small-town stories don’t satisfy Niina’s ambitions—and when a mysterious explosion shakes the night, she senses a much bigger story.

What unfolds is an offbeat journey full of absurd characters, dry Nordic humour, and cold war paranoia. Convinced a Soviet missile has crashed into the frozen wilderness, Niina dives headfirst into a wild investigative mission. Along the way, she juggles her eccentric father, a violent ex-husband, and an unexpected romance with a charming military pilot—her unlikely source inside the Finnish army.

As tanks roll into her sleepy village and the authorities demand she drop the story, Niina only digs deeper. But in this quirky tale of self-discovery, the truth always seems one rocket’s length away.

With stunning cinematography, a spot-on 1980s retro atmosphere, and a bold performance by Oona Airola in the lead role, “The Missile” is a must-see for anyone who enjoys oddball comedies with a satirical twist.

WHEN/WHERE:  Monday, 2 June at 20:30 at Kino Gstaad. Tickets are available at the evening box office.

Based on AvS | edited by Jeanette Wichmann