Hella W

HELLA W is a biopic about Hella Wuolijoki, Finland's most complex and widely talented woman of influence.

The drama-thriller recounts the true story of the internationally acclaimed businesswoman, playwright and politician, who is determined to leave her mark on the European psyche – in more than one place.

Based on an original screenplay by Outi Nyytäjä, a Finnish intellectual and literary legend, Hella W is set in the most defining decades of European history – 1920s to 1940s.

Every Finn knows the characters of Hella Wuolijoki's Niskavuori plays, but many aspects of the author’s eventful life are less known to many.

In the beginning of the 1920s she had already made millions, wrote several politically hazardous plays and was under careful observation of, among others, British Intelligence, the Soviet Union and the Finnish secret service.

Soon, as the events of the Second World War started to unfold, Hella W finds herself in a situation in which she seems to have no right choices. She faces the same task as the Finnish agent put on her tail: finding out who she really is, and what hides behind the multi-faceted mask of Hella W, the celebrated writer, millionaire, rejected politician - and a mother.

Over the years, the Finnish audience has proved to love national biopics. Hella W will be the first to tell the story of a woman.

Writer Outi Nyytäjä’s and director Juha Wuolijoki's journey into the life of Hella Wuolijoki brings the powerful story of the famous playwright, politician and businesswoman right to the centre of national media attention.

It is about time Finnish cinema got its first heroine.

The project is supported by the Finnish Film Foundation, Yle TV1 and the MEDIA programme. Scandinavian distribution is handled by Sandrew Metronome Distribution Finland Oy.