Director Selma Vilhunen and screenwriter Kirsikka Saari joined forces once again following their joint Oscar nomination for the comedic short Do I Have To Take Care Of Everything? in 2012.

Stupid Young Heart will premiere at TIFF on Sept 8, 2018 at Scotiabank Theatre, Toronto.

“What impressed me about Kirsikka Saari's screenplay was how skillfully she connected the story of the individual and a portrayal of the society today", says Oscar-nominated director Selma Vilhunen.

“Through a touching love story between two teenagers in a very challenging situation we get to explore hopes and fears of an entire community."

Starring non-professional actors and set in a quiet suburb, an emasculated and skinny Lenni (Jere Ristseppä) is forced into adulthood when his off-again, on-again girlfriend Kiira (Rosa Honkonen) becomes pregnant at 15.

Finding love and guidance from a right-wing leader and organizer, Lenni quickly gets in over his head and has to choose between being by Kiira’s bedside as she gives birth, or carrying out an attack on a local mosque. 

“Lenni is an adolescent in a world where grown-ups are afraid of their own future, and many are incapable of being real role models to their children”, says Oscar-nominated scriptwriter Kirsikka Saari.

“Many project their fears and frustration onto those who are in an even weaker position - the immigrants. This is the model that they pass on to their kids, and this is what is happening right now in Europe and North America.”

Stupid Young Heart will have three public screenings at the TIFF:

Press & Industry I

Friday, September 7 7:15PM

Scotiabank 9 

Public I - World Premiere Event (talent in attendance)

Saturday, September 8 7:15PM

Scotiabank 11

Public II (talent in attendance)

Monday, September 10 11:30AM

Jackman Hall

Press & Industry II

Wednesday, September 13 11:45AM

Scotiabank 7

Public III

Saturday, September 15 8:00PM

Scotiabank 7

Selma Vilhunen and TUFFI Films recently directed and produced the international and viral sensation HOBBYHORSE REVOLUTION. Vilhunen attended TIFF in 2016 with the award-winning feature LITTLE WING, for which lead actor Linnea Skog, then 12 years-old, was awarded the Jussi Prize for Lead Female Role of the Year.