In the summer of 1962, a small-town baker named Olli Mäki has a shot at the world championship title in featherweight boxing against the American title-holder Davey Moore. From the Finnish countryside to the bright lights of Helsinki, his slick, ambitious manager has prepared everything for Olli's fame and fortune (and his own). All Olli needs to do is lose weight and concentrate. But there is a problem - he has fallen in love with country lass Raija.

Based on a true story, this gorgeous, black-and-white drama about finding your own way to happiness regardless of social expectations nabbed the top prize in the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film Festival.

"Punches its way into the upper ranks of cinematic pugilist portraits by virtue of its exquisite craft and a lead performance of heart-bruising melancholy by Jarkko Lahti."  Guy Lodge, Variety

Winner: Best Film, Un Certain Regard, Cannes; Best International Film, Zurich; Best New Director, Chicago 

Juho Kuosmanen – Director (January 7 & 9 only)