The Hilarious Controversy: Why The Helsinki Intl Film Festival 2014 Trailer Is Still Talked About Today

The Helsinki International Film Festival (HIFF)—Love & Anarchy (Rakkautta & Anarkiaa)—has a long-standing tradition of producing high-concept, often controversial, and always memorable trailers. The 27th edition in 2014, held in late September, was no exception, delivering a viral sensation that blended Finnish history with cinematic parody. This specific trailer, titled Mannerheim kuulee (Mannerheim Hears), remains a benchmark for film festival marketing, not just for its shock value but for its brilliant execution, a testament to the festival's commitment to bold, independent cinema.

As of late 2025, the legacy of the 2014 festival continues to resonate, not least because the trailer’s director, Nalle Sjöblad, is still a highly sought-after name in commercial directing. The festival itself was a record-breaking event, highlighting major international films like the Oscar-winning Ida and showcasing a progressive commitment to gender equality in filmmaking, proving that the festival was about far more than just a viral clip.

The Anatomy of a Viral Hit: Mannerheim Kuulee (Mannerheim Hears)

The core of the 2014 HIFF trailer's success lies in its audacious and unexpected premise. Rather than a typical montage of film clips, the festival commissioned a short film that instantly captured global attention from film enthusiasts and history buffs alike.

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The Trailer's Shocking Parody: Mannerheim and Der Untergang

The Mannerheim kuulee trailer, directed by the visionary Nalle Sjöblad and produced by Teko Film & Also Starring, is a direct, pitch-perfect parody of the infamous "bunker scene" from the 2004 German film Der Untergang (Downfall).

This scene, which features a furious Adolf Hitler realizing the war is lost, has become one of the most widely memed and parodied sequences in cinema history. The HIFF trailer replaces Hitler with the revered Finnish military leader and statesman, Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim.

In the trailer, Mannerheim, rather than raging over a military defeat, is informed of some piece of news that causes him to spiral into a comical, yet intense, breakdown. The humor is derived from placing a stoic national icon in a scene famous for its over-the-top, historical drama, all to promote a film festival known for its "Love & Anarchy" spirit. This juxtaposition perfectly encapsulates the festival's mission to challenge conventions and celebrate the anarchic side of cinema.

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The trailer's effectiveness was twofold: it was deeply relevant to Finnish audiences, who understood the gravitas of Mannerheim, and it was globally accessible due to the instantly recognizable *Der Untergang* parody format. It was a masterclass in cinematic marketing, demanding the cinema experience.

Where Is the Trailer Director Now? Nalle Sjöblad's Current Work

The success of the Mannerheim kuulee trailer propelled director Nalle Sjöblad further into the international spotlight. A decade later, Sjöblad remains a highly active and decorated director, primarily in the commercial and advertising space.

In 2024 and 2025, Sjöblad continues to direct new, high-profile campaigns for major brands. His recent work for companies like Finn.no and DNB demonstrates his ability to blend narrative storytelling with sharp humor, a style clearly refined during his time creating the HIFF trailers.

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His ongoing career, which includes winning numerous awards such as the New York Festivals Bronze and multiple accolades at Dubai Lynx and Voitto, ensures that the creative force behind the viral 2014 trailer is still producing fresh, high-quality content today.

Record-Breaking Success: The 27th Helsinki International Film Festival Program Highlights

The 2014 festival, the 27th edition, was a monumental success that broke previous audience records. Over 61,000 visitors flocked to the screenings, confirming the festival's status as Finland's leading cinematic event.

The program was robust, featuring more than 140 feature films and 170 shorts, a testament to the festival’s commitment to showcasing a broad spectrum of international and domestic cinema.

The Must-See Films and Award Winners

The lineup was stacked with critically acclaimed and buzzworthy titles, many of which were Finnish or Nordic premieres. The festival's non-competitive nature focuses on audience appreciation and discussion, making the Audience Award the most prestigious honor.

• Ida (Audience Award Winner): The Polish film directed by Pawel Pawlikowski was the undeniable favorite, winning the coveted Audience Award. The film, which centers on a young novice nun in 1960s Poland, went on to win the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, making its victory at HIFF a major highlight.
• Any Day Now (World Premiere): The festival was chosen as the launchpad for the world premiere of this highly anticipated feature, underscoring HIFF’s importance on the international film calendar.
• No Other Choice (Finnish Premiere): The program featured the Finnish premiere of Park Chan-wook’s film, a major draw for fans of the acclaimed South Korean director.

A Progressive Stance on Filmmaking

A detail that underscores the festival's progressive ethos and continues to be relevant today is the gender balance of the program. Of the films screened at the 27th HIFF, a remarkable 51% were directed by women.

This commitment to gender equality in programming was ahead of its time and cemented HIFF’s reputation as a forward-thinking festival that actively promotes diverse voices in cinema.

The Finnish Film Affair and Industry Buzz

Running concurrently with the main festival was the Finnish Film Affair (FFA), the third edition of Finland's leading international showcase for new Finnish films and works-in-progress.

This industry event is crucial for connecting Finnish filmmakers with international buyers, distributors, and critics. The 2014 FFA, held from September 23-25, provided a platform for numerous projects, showcasing the depth of talent in the Finnish film industry.

Notable Finnish films that were in the spotlight around this time, and often associated with the HIFF ecosystem, included:

• Concrete Night (Pirjo Honkasalo)
• They Have Escaped (J-P Valkeapää)

These films, which garnered attention at the co-located Finnish Film Week, further solidified the 2014 event as a major hub for both international and domestic cinematic excellence.

The Enduring Legacy of the 2014 HIFF

The 27th Helsinki International Film Festival—Love & Anarchy is remembered today for its perfect storm of creative marketing and high-quality programming. The *Mannerheim kuulee* trailer, with its Der Untergang parody, remains a masterclass in using humor and historical context to generate buzz, securing its place as one of the most discussed festival trailers of the decade.

Beyond the viral clip, the festival’s commitment to showcasing a diverse slate of films, including a majority directed by women, and launching major titles like the Oscar-winning Ida, demonstrates a deep-seated dedication to the art of cinema. The record-breaking attendance figures confirm that the "Love & Anarchy" spirit resonated powerfully with Finnish audiences, solidifying the 2014 event as a landmark year for the festival.