Ambush (1999 film)

Ambush (Rukajärven tie) is a 1999 Finnish war film directed by Olli Saarela. Literally "Road of Rukajärvi", the film debuted on 22 January 1999 in Finland, after which it was released internationally. The film is based on a book written by Antti Tuuri and its leads are played by Peter Franzén as Lt. Eero Perkola and Irina Björklund as Kaarina Vainikainen, Lt. Perkola's love.

Rukajärvi (Rugozero) is a municipality (as well as a lake) in Karelia, Russia, and it was held by the Finnish Army during the Continuation War of 1941–44.

Cast

 * Peter Franzén as Lieutenant Eero Perkola
 * Irina Björklund as Lotta Kaarina Vainikainen
 * Kari Heiskanen as Lance Corporal Jussi Lukkari
 * Taisto Reimaluoto as Corporal Unto Saarinen
 * Kari Väänänen as Corporal Tauno Snicker
 * Tommi Eronen as Private Simo Karppinen
 * Pekka Heikkinen as Corporal Evert Rönkkö
 * Pekka Huotari as Private Martti Raassina
 * Tero Jartti as Private Moilanen
 * Rauno Juvonen as Private Hämäläinen

Reception
The film opened at number one at the Finnish box office, replacing another Finnish film The Tough Ones, with a gross of $394,369 for the week. It went on to gross $2.7 million

Awards
The film won seven Jussi Awards in 2000 including Best Film, Best Direction, Best Photography, Best Edit, Best Staging, Best Sound Design and Best Score. The film was also entered into the 21st Moscow International Film Festival.