Do we want the US model where everyone is for themselves?

" The film Frozen Land by director Aku Louhimies begins optimistically enough with a thoughtful quote about the Finns by one of the country’s most famous rock groups, Eppu Normaali: “Born pure into the future’s hands in these cold and northern lands”.

From this hopeful starting point the film descends into a gritty study of human weakness and the corruption of Nordic purity that embraces alcoholism, unemployment, a double murder, drug abuse, family violence and depression, all set in a darkened land of dirty, semi-frozen slush."

" Mr Louhimies’ gripping portrayal of modern Finland and the ambassador’s uneasy reaction to it capture the conundrum of 21st century Finland: here is a successful, welfare-based, competitive economy desperate to show itself as a modern European nation that is home to hip, young Nokia-clutching technological innovators, but which must also accept the reality that lies behind the stories in Frozen Land: mid-life unemployment breeding hopelessness, addiction, despair and deterioration. These issues are certainly not unique for Europe, but Finland is a harsh country where such contrasts come starker than most."

Published by Financial Times on 4th of september 2007