Markus Lehmusruusu’s futuristic drama “The Squirrel” has just been selected as the Finnish Oscar submission, and it already has a notable fan. He said it was like ‘2001: A Space Odyssey,’ but better because it’s full of humanism. I really loved that,” the director tells Variety.
It’s full of humanism, but it also shows that as humans, we shouldn’t always put ourselves first.” His protagonist, Pasi, needs to understand that as well. In the sterile future, nature and animals no longer exist. At least, that’s how it seems until Pasi, who designs artificial pets, suddenly encounters an actual squirrel – maybe the last one in the world.
He brings it home, but it’s not happy there. Recently shown at Fantastic Fest, the film is sold by REinvent International Sales and produced by Bufo, Pallas Film, Volya Films and Zentropa Sweden. Being selected as an Oscar submission has been “rewarding,” says Lehmusruusu.
Cinema can convey that so easily. It’s like a magic trick.” For his characters, the situation is clear: animalistic urges are bad. But as the story progresses, they want to give in to them.
But wouldn’t something be missing if replaced nature with something that doesn’t have its downsides?,” wonders Lehmusruusu. Young people just aren’t interested, partly because they’re repulsed by bodily fluids. Sexuality is perhaps the most primal force we have left, and we are becoming detached from it.” Luckily, it only takes one squirrel to open his characters’ eyes and encourage them to venture outside of their comfort zones.
Even though they’re so used to controlling their bodies and their surroundings. The film’s naughty, not-quite-PG side is perfectly exemplified by its titular hero. They destroy things in people’s houses and attack small birds.
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