Prisoners of the Ground

How to survive the dark Finnish winter? In Prisoners of the Ground Stella van Voorst van Beest takes us on a journey through Finland to the rhythm of the Finnish tango. In karaoke bars and dance halls we meet people from all walks of life and get to know their life stories full of nostalgia and melancholy. To get through this long, cold and dark season they dream of the ‘happy land’ as is featured in the popular tango song “Satumaa”. And while they find solace in the tango the snow outside slowly starts to melt, but when the sun finally breaks through, will these prisoners of the ground be able to reach the happy place they dream about?

Director:  Stella van Voorst van Beest

Writer:  Stella van Voorst van Beest

(Co-)producers:  Volya Films, Cassette for Timescapes

Release Date: 2009

Partners: Netherlands Film Fund, Rotterdam Media Fund, Thuiskopie Fund, Flanders Audiovisual Fund, Rotterdamse Kunststichting

Length: 89 minutes

Genre: Documentary