These documentaries about Finland show a land where ancient traditions seamlessly coexist with modern innovations, and offer a captivating glimpse into its rich tapestry of culture, nature, and society.
Documentaries About Finland
From the ethereal landscapes of the midnight sun to the communal sanctuaries of Finnish saunas, these documentaries provide a lens through which you can discover the unique facets of Finland’s identity.
There are plenty of documentaries about Finland to watch, but these 10 give a good all-round overview of different aspects of the country.
Tale of a Forest (2012)
Tale of a Forest is a nature documentary film directed by Kim Saarniluoto and Ville Suhonen and is a Finnish production that focuses on the forest ecosystems in Finland. It captures the beauty and diversity of the Finnish forests and explores the various creatures that inhabit this environment.
The documentary takes a visually stunning approach, showcasing the flora and fauna of the forests while also delving into the cultural and historical aspects of the relationship between Finns and their forests.
“Tale of a Forest” provides a meditative and immersive experience, using high-quality cinematography and a poetic narrative to tell the story of the forest and its significance in Finnish culture.
Tale of a Lake (2016)
Tale of a Lake is another Finnish nature documentary film that is a continuation of the concept explored in the earlier film “Tale of a Forest” (2012), both directed by Kim Saarniluoto and Ville Suhonen.
Similar to its predecessor, “Tale of a Lake” offers a visually captivating journey through the natural beauty of Finnish lakes. The documentary focuses on the ecological aspects of lakes, showcasing the diverse life forms that inhabit these aquatic environments.
Additionally, it delves into the cultural and historical significance of lakes in Finnish folklore and traditions.
As with any documentary film, it provides a combination of educational content and cinematic storytelling to offer viewers a deeper understanding of the subject matter. The film uses high-quality cinematography to capture the serene landscapes and the unique wildlife found in and around Finnish lakes.
If you enjoyed “Tale of a Forest” then this is also one of the best nature documentaries about Finland to watch.
Moominland Tales: The Life of Tove Jansson (2012)
Moominland Tales: The Life of Tove Jansson explores the life of Tove Jansson, who is a beloved Finnish author and illustrator, known for creating the Moomins. This documentary explores her life and the impact of her work.
The Moomins is a children’s book and TV animation series that follows the adventures of a group of philosophical trolls called, the Moomins.
Although it sounds simple enough, the Moomins became a cultural phenomenon, and still are, not only in Finland but worldwide. They are an integral part of modern-day Finnish culture.
The Finland Phenomenon (2011)
The Finland Phenomenon: Inside the World’s Most Surprising School System explores the education system in Finland and its unique approach to teaching. Finland is often regarded for its innovative educational methods and consistently high performance in international assessments.
The documentary delves into various aspects of the Finnish education system, including its emphasis on less homework, shorter school days, a focus on student well-being, highly qualified teachers, and a less standardized testing-centric approach.
The film aims to highlight the factors contributing to the success of the Finnish education system and provoke discussions on potential reforms in other countries.
If you’re interested in understanding the principles behind Finland’s educational success, “The Finland Phenomenon” provides insights into their holistic and student-centric approach to learning making it one of the best documentaries about Finland to watch.
Steam of Life (2010)
Steam of Life is a Finnish documentary film that is unique in its approach as it explores the emotional lives of Finnish men through the setting of saunas.
The documentary consists of interviews with various men from different walks of life, who candidly share their personal stories and experiences while sitting in saunas. The film delves into the intimate and vulnerable moments of the men’s lives, covering topics such as love, loss, fatherhood, and more.
The sauna, a traditional and significant part of Finnish culture, provides a contemplative space for these men to open up and reflect on their lives.
Fire and Ice: The Winter War of Finland and Russia (2006)
Fire and Ice: The Winter War of Finland and Russia is a documentary film that explores the Winter War, a conflict fought between Finland and the Soviet Union from November 1939 to March 1940. The Winter War was a significant historical event that took place during World War II.
The documentary delves into the background, causes, and consequences of the conflict, examining the military strategies employed by both sides and the experiences of the soldiers involved. It also sheds light on the impact of the Winter War on the people of Finland and the geopolitical landscape of the time.
Why is Finland the happiest country in the world? (2023)
Why is Finland the happiest country in the world? is a short documentary(around 30 minutes long) that explores why the Finnish people are some of the happiest people in the world.
For 4 years in a row, Finland has been named the happiest country despite long and hard winters, and this documentary takes a good look into this phenomenon of happiness.
Wild Baltic Sea – Between Finland and Sweden (2022)
Wild Baltic Sea – Between Finland and Sweden is a nature documentary that looks at the Bay of Bothnia, which is a wild and remote area in the northern part of the Baltic Sea that is home to a lot of wildlife.
The documentary explores marine life and many other wildlife species in an area that is one of the most unknown and unexplored areas in the Baltics.
The Punk Syndrome (2012)
The Punk Syndrome is a Finnish documentary film directed by Jukka Kärkkäinen and J-P Passi, and follows the lives of Pertti Kurikka’s Name Day, a Finnish punk rock band whose members have intellectual disabilities. The band members are Pertti Kurikka, Kari Aalto, Sami Helle, and Toni Välitalo.
The film offers an intimate and touching portrayal of the band members’ lives, struggles, and their passion for music. It not only explores their journey as musicians but also provides insight into their personal lives and the challenges they face as individuals with intellectual disabilities in society.
Land of Ice and Snow
I started this list with nature documentaries and I will finish with one as well, as Finland and Scandinavia have some of the best nature in Europe, if not the world.
Land of Ice and Snow explores not only the wilderness and nature of Finland but also its neighbours Norway and Sweden.
It’s one of the best documentaries about Finland and Scandinavia to watch to learn more about wildlife and nature.
Finland
These documentaries about Finland serve as windows into a nation that stands as a testament to the harmonious coexistence of nature, culture, and innovation.
Finland is one of my favourite countries in the world and I have spent many long weeks out hiking in nature there, particularly in the wilder north of the country.
For more documentaries have a look at the 10 best documentaries about Norway.
Share the best documentaries about Finland:
