Finnish sci-fi movie draws crowds in Berlin
The Finnish science fiction comedy Iron Sky, about Nazis invading the Earth from space, got an enthusiastic reception as it premiered at the Berlin film festival Berlinale on Saturday evening.
Space Nazis proved to be quite the draw for the public—an audience of some 2,000 gathered to watch the movie at the sold-out Friedrichstadt-Palast.
Audience member Andreas Ruhland praised the movie for its combination of special effects, black humour and actors’ play. The best thing about it was that the story wasn’t taken too seriously, Ruhland said.
Is it okay to laugh?
Timo Vuorensola’s comedy provoked some scepticism among investors, as the Nazi chapter in Germany’s history is naturally a sensitive subject.
“We were asked whether we thought it was appropriate to make fun of the Nazis,” said the movie’s German producer Oliver Damian. “Of course, Germany has its history—and we are aware of it. But I think a black comedy can be made on the subject.”
Audience member Alke from Berlin said that it's necessary to laugh.
“It’s an interesting issue, especially here, in Berlin. I think it’s good that an international production can pick up a topic like that and take it to such an extreme that one can’t consider it morally questionable,” Alke noted.
Iron Sky will open in Finland in April.
With a budget of seven million euros, Iron Sky is the most expensive Finnish movie ever—although cheap by Hollywood standards.
Latest in: News
April unemployment at 8.8%
The unemployment rate in Finland declined slightly in April to 8.8%, down from March, but still higher than a year previously.
Company exploiting foreign workers up for Helsinki contract
Work-safety inspections this year at about 20 small and medium-sized cleaning companies that employ immigrant workers have discovered problems at every firm checked. Yle has found that the City of Helsinki is considering contracting services from a company that was determined to have employment rules violations.
Spanish nurses leaving Vaasa
Five of eight Spanish nurses recruited to work in Vaasa's city hospital have decided to quit the jobs they took up in October and leave the country. The reasons they cite include the high cost of living, the cold climate, and the difficulty of the Finnish language.
Toxic spill in Helsinki's Mätäjoki River
A chemical discharge into Helsinki's Mätäjoki River has killed fish and possibly wiped out years of efforts to revive spawning grounds for endangered species.
Sikh bus driver fights for right to wear turban
Managing diversity in Finnish workplaces is raising new issues for employers, unions and workers themselves. One Sikh bus driver in Vantaa is currently fighting to set a precedent allowing him to wear a turban.
Veolia drivers to return to work
Bus drivers working for the Veolia company will return to work on Tuesday, bringing their week-long work stoppage to an end.
Finnish traffic cops set to miss out on Gumball speeding fine jackpot
Several contestants in the Gumball rally were stopped for speeding on Monday, on the Turku-Helsinki leg of their unorthodox race. Police say that despite their concerns, the drivers are likely to escape Finland’s hefty income-based fines.
Yle News building its freelance database
Yle News is building up a database of freelance journalists for occasional work in radio, television and online news production.
Jolla to sell new phone this year
A mobile firm founded by former Nokia employees is set to put a new smartphone on sale by the end of the year. The company, Jolla, was set up to continue working on an open source Linux-based smartphone when Nokia announced it was switching to the Windows Phone operating system.
Decline in church membership will cost jobs
In order to cope with decreasing membership, the Evangelical Lutheran Church will be forced to reduce its staff significantly in coming years. Many congregations are facing dire financial circumstances due to the reduction in the tax revenue that flows as a result of membership.

Discuss this topic
0 comments
Kiitos! Kommenttisi on lähetetty Yle Uutisten toimitukseen. Julkaisemme kommentteja klo 07-23 välisenä aikana.
Yle Uutisten toimitus lukee kommentit ennen julkaisua. Asiattomia ja hyvien tapojen vastaisia kommentteja ei julkaista. Pitkiä kirjoituksia voidaan lyhentää, muuten kommentit julkaistaan sellaisenaan.
Thank you. Your report has been sent to Yle News. We review the reports between 9 AM and 5 PM.
Yle News will review the comment you reported and will delete it if necessary.