A Light That Never Goes Out
| A Light That Never Goes Out | |
|---|---|
Film poster | |
| Finnish | Jossain on valo joka ei sammu |
| Directed by | Lauri-Matti Parppei |
| Written by | Lauri-Matti Parppei |
| Produced by | Ilona Tolmunen |
| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Mikko Parttimaa |
| Edited by | Frida Eggum Michaelsen |
| Music by | Lauri-Matti Parppei |
Production companies |
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Release date |
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Running time | 111 minutes |
| Countries |
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| Language | Finnish |
A Light That Never Goes Out (Finnish: Jossain on valo joka ei sammu) is a 2025 film written and directed by Finnish screenwriter Lauri-Matti Parppei in his feature directorial debut. The film stars Samuel Kujala and Anna Rosaliina Kauno.
The film had its world premiere at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival on 15 May 2025. It received ten nominations at the 80th Jussi Awards, including Best Film. It was theatrically released in Finland on 12 September 2025.
Premise
Successful flutist Pauli returns to his hometown, reconnects with his old schoolmate Iiris. He is later drawn into experimental music.[1]
Cast
- Samuel Kujala as Pauli
- Anna Rosaliina Kauno as Iiris
Production
The film's director and screenwriter, Lauri-Matti Parppei, revealed that the film was inspired by his childhood in Rauma and by his experience starting out as a musician in the DIY music scene.[2] Parppei developed the project at the 2019 Les Arcs Talent Village.[3] In January 2020, the project participated at the Nordic Film Market in the Discovery section, held during the Gothenburg Film Festival.[4] It received a €800,000 production grant from the Finnish Film Foundation in June 2024.[5] In December 2024, it was presented at the Les Arcs Film Festival Work in Progress.[6] In January 2025, it returned to the Nordic Film Market, presented at the Works in Progress program.[7]
Release
A Light That Never Goes Out had its world premiere at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival on 15 May in the ACID section.[8] It was theatrically released in Finland on 12 September 2025 by B-Plan Distribution.[9]
Accolades
| Award / Film Festival | Date of ceremony | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jussi Awards | 20 March 2026 | Best Film | Ilona Tolmunen | Pending | [10] |
| Best Director | Lauri-Matti Parppei | Pending | |||
| Best Leading Performance | Samuel Kujala | Pending | |||
| Best Breakthrough Performance | Anna Rosaliina Kauno | Pending | |||
| Best Screenplay | Lauri-Matti Parppei | Pending | |||
| Best Editing | Frida Eggum Michaelsen | Pending | |||
| Best Production Design | Nanna Hirvonen | Pending | |||
| Best Costume Design | Mimosa Kuusimäki | Pending | |||
| Best Original Score | Lauri-Matti Parppei | Pending | |||
| Best Sound Design | Juuso Oksala and Yngve Leidulv Saetre | Pending |
References
- ^ "Jossain on valo joka ei sammu - A Light That Never Goes Out". Made. Retrieved 22 February 2026.
- ^ Hirn, Jouni (11 September 2025). "Lauri-Matti Parppei halusi esikoiselokuvallaan ylistää pikkupaikkakuntien yhteisöllisyyttä". Maaseudun Tulevaisuus. Retrieved 22 February 2026.
- ^ Goodfellow, Melanie (5 November 2019). "Les Arcs unveils 2019 co-production selection". Screen International. Retrieved 22 February 2026.
- ^ Economou, Vassilis (20 January 2020). "Göteborg's Nordic Film Market gears up for its 21st edition". Cineuropa. Retrieved 22 February 2026.
- ^ Abbatescianni, Davide (17 June 2024). "The Finnish Film Foundation backs 16 productions". Cineuropa. Retrieved 22 February 2026.
- ^ Leffler, Rebecca (3 December 2024). "Les Arcs unveils 2024 Work in Progress selection". Screen International. Retrieved 22 February 2026.
- ^ Pham, Annika (13 January 2025). "Göteborg Nordic Film Market: 'An Education's' Lone Scherfig, 'Godland's' Hlynur Pálmason, 'Orphanage' Director Shahrbanoo Sadat Make the Cut (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 22 February 2026.
- ^ Balaga, Marta (15 April 2025). "Cannes Section ACID Announces Selection, From a 'Feel-Good Movie About Depression' to a New Drama With Paris Olympics 'Blue Man'". Variety. Retrieved 22 February 2026.
- ^ Ahonen, Kimmo (22 August 2025). "Lauri-Matti Parppein esikoispitkä on juuri sitä, mitä suomalainen elokuva tarvitsee". Satakunnan Kansa (in Finnish). Retrieved 22 February 2026.
- ^ Vanha-Majamaa, Anton (28 January 2026). "Jussi-ehdokkaat julki – raumalaisdraama yllätti kymmenellä ehdokkuudella". Yle (in Finnish). Retrieved 22 February 2026.