A long, long time ago -
a brook flowed into this lake.
On the brook there was a mill.
A miller lived there with his family.
The miller worked hard and made flour for the whole village.
But then the craps failed and the miller became poor.
The whole village starved.
In his desperation, the miller begged the lake for help.
His prayers were answered.
Body of water
the lake spirit promised the miller wealth and fortune.
But there would be a price.
The miller would have to give the spirit something -
that he loved beyond all else.
The miller took the deal.
To save his family from starving -
the miller took his first-bar/1 son into his arms -
and carried the bay to the ia/(Ashore.
Where tall, tall reeds grow.
And gave the boy to the lake spirit'.
The lake spirit returned to the depths with the mi[Ler's son.
Having received the sacrifice, the spirit kept her promise -
and tire miller? Family would never be poor again.
Can I please wait in the car? - Don't be daft, Niko.
You afraid of Gran? - Well... no.
You haven't seen grandad in a while either.
Has granny ever spoken? - Of course she has.
She could sing and draw.
And she told me the most exciting bedtime stories.
Let's not stay long. - We won't.
We have a long drive ahead of us, couldn't stay long anyways.
We'll just pop in. Pop!
Hey, come on.
Pop. Imp! - Yeah, yeah... poppet)! Pop
grandad bought a new car again?
Sara, look who came to visit.
Hi, mum.
It's me, Julia.
So, hippie girl? Have you healed the world yet?
How is mum?
You're not getting enough sleep.
The benefits of our bureau do not include wealth or eternal youth.
How are things with you and Pete?
I've got Niko, that's enough. -Will you have to fight over him?
Does granny read comics? - You name it, she reads it.
You escaping to work again?
I don't think you should go there.
Do you know anything about the place?
They have experts on the water issue.
But it's their lake, I know how they feel.
A big power company and lots of cash makes a young couple with kids think.
Could we not talk shop? We have a long drive and need to get going.
Granny wouldn't want Niko to go.
Why'! It's exactly what she'd want.
Mum promised to teach me how to swim.
Mummy!
Hold on to the boy. Don't give him up.
Is osku asleep? - No.
Isn't this a nice adventure? - How so? It's your business trip.
Why shouldn't we go there?
We used to live there when I was little.
Then granny fell ill and we had to move.
I think grandad hates the village.
Mum?
Do you hate daddy now? - Nonsense. Of course I don't.
Niko...
Granny didn't mean anything by it. - I know.
You got some reading for the road. I must've read some of those, too.
Even grandad in his youth.
Cool! Old school!
Grandad looks funny without the beard.
You found some photos?
Now that's old school.
Julia...
I'm so sorry.
Lake hallow
so you found us? - Finally.
Welcome. - Thank you.
I'll get your keys.
It's closed. - Excuse me?
The store is closed, if that's why you're here.
We came to get the keys for our accommodation.
You're the ones who rented the place.
Sorry, I didn't understand. Rare treat around here, tourist business.
Julia Mannerla.
And Niko.
Call me Elias.
There you are. I was looking for you. - We already met.
These people rented no-name.
It's at the other end of the lake. I'll take you there.
Watch out for traffic jams!
Welcome then. - Thank you.
If I just get your bags...
You get the old teacher's residence. The best we can do for now.
So this was a school? - Used to be.
No chance for the teacher to get lost on his way to work.
I started as a teacher here, but the school was closed down.
Not enough pupils.
You keep the store now? -Just helping around, really.
The neighbour's been fixing things here every now and then.
Cleaning up on occasion, too. Very rare occasion...
Stop it or you'll get to clean this up.
I'll go downstairs to turn on the water.
So you're here to assist the lake conservationists?
Just some legal assistance.
We're here only for a few days. Then we're off to holiday.
Just the two of you travelling, then?
Water can be a nasty thing.
In the Winter, I mean.
It can break the pipes.
That's why we don't usually keep the water turned on here.
We rarely have guests.
Just making sure I don't overturn it.
You don't have to worry about this.
If it were up to me, I'd keep the lake as it is.
That's why I've stayed here, too. Don't need much money to get by.
Well, what are people willing to sacrifice for holy economy...
Mum, don't start again.
It'll soon work ok. Just leave it on.
The rest is all on this paper.
So, welcome.
My number's on this keychain. Call me if you need anything.
Niko, it's about teatime!
Niko, you have ten seconds!
Here we go again...
Niko!
Niko, you hear! Not to the shore!
Niko!
Niko! Osku!
Come back right now!
Niko!
- Now what?
Osku, fetch!
Listen, this is a strange shore. We don't know if it's safe.
You promised. -Niko, listen...
The benefits are short-term and that! Why economy or employment -
should not be crucial. Natural or historical heritage -
drowned under the reservoir cannot be restored.
W/[1 our conscience allow us ta... No, this is getting too heavy...
Just say something about the cultural history.
Water construction has already begun to destroy the lake.
The local conservationists had some facts about this.
List some concrete examples here after meeting with the locals...
Maybe collect some names to show the villagers' support...
Daddy, why can't I come to your Summer place instead?
There's nothing fun to do here.
Mummy does nothing but work all the time.
It would be much more fun to spend the Summer with you.
Is there someone here?
Did you sleep ok? - Yeah.
Nothing woke you up? - No.
You sure?
What do you mean?
Listen, Niko. We don't have to stay here long.
Then we'll take a proper holiday together. Ok?
The reservoir project came up again.
I'm terribly late. - They could use some legal help.
You can't find anyone else for this? - It's for a good cause.
Well, what are people willing to sacrifice for ho! Y economy...
The s/10w's over already. - How did Niko do?
Must be some mix-up with the timetables.
The lake conservation people aren't here today. -Well then...
I've been looking at the houses along the shore.
Let's start circling and collect a few names while we're at it.
Can't it wait until tomorrow?
The lake society people have all the necessary documents and such.
Oh well...
So you're from around here? Aren't we about the same age?
Actually I've never lived here but my parents have.
Your house is in a beautiful location.
Not even proper timber to sell. Only a miserable thicket.
I was referring to this lake area and the whole nature here.
A few duck nests won't feed the family.
Local conservationists came here and I told them the same thing.
Children are the very reason why this lake should be saved.
What will you pay for this?
The benefit will be all yours if all this is saved.
No, bloody hell... I'll get my brother, he needs to hear this.
Let's go! Get in the car.
We haven't got one single name.
You'll get your signatures at the village meeting or at the fair.
Do you like swimming? - Yeah.
I'd like it too, but I won't swim in these waters...
So you're the Mannerla girl?
I thought there was something familiar about you.
So sad, your poor mum. These young people don't even remember it.
What was? - We'll take a look at these later.
I'd really need those signatures for the meeting tomorrow.
We know what's good for us. The meeting's not for us.
What were you boys talking about?
Nothing special. Swimming and stuff.
By the way, your mother was my teacher before you moved away.
Really? I was too young to remember those times.
It's holy water. This lake of ours.
Really...
You don't believe me?
No need to rely on faith. All the facts speak for the lake.
I remember your family, all right.
Your mother worked hard and had a good head on her shoulders.
Your father on the other hand was one wild rascal.
My father? - Well, he did work as a janitor -
at the school while your mother was the teacher's substitute in the 70's.
In his need of money. A regular poor boy.
Poor boy? My father'!
Yeah, well he got rich quick enough.
If you just sign the last paper. - More signatures...
Well, you're here on good business.
Holy water, like I said.
That's what I told your father a long time ago.
Interested in history he was.
This local history of ours.
Did you have any brothers or sisters?
No. Would have been too much for mum's health.
Oh, was that so? - Mum, let's go already.
I've got some school photos of your class here somewhere, too.
I'm sorry, I have to go. You'll be at the meeting tomorrow?
Yes... I think they're in the shed.
I'll dig them up, so you don't think I'm demented.
Poor boy Mannerla...
Here's a paper on cultural landscape -
if you'd care to read it as a teacher. -Right...
Well, at least lantto has signed.
Only took him an hour to sign.
Can't help lecturing, the old teacher.
Ok, here we go...
Mummy!
Niko!
Help me! - Niko!
Niko, get away from there!
Niko!
I'm stuck...
I told you not to come here alone.
I'm stuck. - Don't go into the lake after dinner.
The nixie will come and get you.
That's what they used to say way back in the day.
What's nixie? - Well, it's a sort of a...
A water spirit.
Have you been swimming at no-name?
She never lets me do anything. - Niko...
Do you know why the cape has no name?
In the olden times, people used to believe -
that if you know the name of something it can curse you.
In the 17th century, this was still called lake nixie.
A brook flowed into this lake.
There was a mill and the miller was the richest man here.
Then one year the crops failed and the miller became poor.
The story sounds very familiar.
I guess my mother told it to me when I was a child.
Stop kicking!
The plant would bring us a million Euros in property tax!
It will only take a couple of years before this village is dead!
Do we all have to starve to save some loans' nests?
Let's calm down now.
On my right here we have guests from the power company.
We're waiting for the lake conservation people to come.
We do have solicitor Mannerla from Helsinki Manning their side.
Well, manned by a lady, as you can see.
Do we need people from Helsinki to tell us what to do with our lake?
Let's hear what solicitor Mannerla has to say.
Yes, my name isjulia Mannerla -
and I'm here as a lawyer to consult...
It's easy to consult this and that -
when you live in a brick house in the big city!
As we've been waiting the nature conservationists to arrive -
there's been an accident.
Their car has fallen off the road and into lake hallow.
In the lake with all of these bloody people, I say!
Be sensible, this is a serious matter!
We're not drowning our village! - Think about the huge tax income!
Don't you worry, girl. The lake spirit will take care of its own.
Niko!
I've told you not to quarrel.
Ok, if someone mouths you off, you may quarrel a little -
but you mustn't fight or hit anyone. - Yeah yeah.
Well, if you really must fight, at least mind who you're fighting.
And make sure you win the fight. - Ok.
Who won? -Just some warmed up feelings.
Niko, it was the former sheriff's son you fought.
The one chairing the meeting? - The same one.
They're delicate matters to the village.
What was old man lantto babbling about at the door?
He lives in a world of his own now.
He mentioned some lake spirit. Is it the communal spirit or what?
There's none of that around, I can tell you.
People in lake hallow used to believe in water spirits.
You mean there's a monster swimming in there?
I'd rather not in Niko's presence...
What mustn't I hear? Was he talking about sex?
Will you come and read me a bedtime story?
Have you seen my red notebook? - No.
I'll just read some comics then
now what?
I know he's been calling you.
He's allowed to call you. You're his father.
Everything's just fine here.
I really won't start discussing this with you now...
I'll wrap things up here and then we're off to holiday.
Pete, you cannot be serious.
I'm not discussing any custody issues with you now.
You cannot take it to court...
Whatever. I'll call you when we get back to Helsinki.
School diary
Niko, back to bed.
Niko, you hear? Get back to bed now.
Stop kicking!
Doors like this were made at a time when there was no need for locks.
And you had a dog to protect you. - He's no protection.
Runs around as he likes. - You need a steel plate here.
That'll slow the next burglar down. Won't be able to get in like that.
And a safety chain inside.
I didn't think we'd have to fear things like this here.
Don't know about fear... there isn't that much crime around here.
The boys might come up with some mischief when drinking.
Oh yeah, my notebook is also missing. - Right...
In the periphery we're so cunning. We pretend to be friendly -
and in the night time we go around robbing people.
What is that supposed to mean? - Nothing special.
Have you seen osku? - Niko, start packing your things.
Osku!
Should we check by the lake?
I'll go take a look. And you stay here.
Osku! - I told you not to come down here.
I heard him, he's in the water!
No, he isn't! It's just a piece of wood.
Osku, come here! - Stop it now!
I told you not to come to the shore.
Mummy!
Easy now...
Welcome back.
See any angels on the other side? - How...
How come you're here?
You've been out of it for hours. - Where's Niko?
I see we've woken up.
Where's my son?
Hold on... - What's wrong with Niko?
No standing up just yet. - Has something happened to my son?
He has fever. I have him on painkillers -
and an intravenous antibiotic.
What happened to him? - He was carried in all scratched up.
He'd been running through the woods all the way from no-name.
Some boy you have here. - I guess he saved his mummy.
Though you were found on the shore. How are you feeling?
I'm leaving with with Niko. - We're not having any of that.
He's still on iv and you cannot go until his fever drops.
You're not even fit to drive yet. - No, but you are.
They can tow my car to Helsinki.
I'm not driving you or Niko anywhere in that shape.
We'll try walking in the morning. - You do that. I'll try it now.
Niko, I'm so sorry.
I never should have brought you here.
Niko, darling...
I know how important osku was for you.
When this job is done, we'll take a holiday.
The whole Summer.
Julia.
You have a right to a career just like everybody else.
You working won't kill him.
You're a good mother. There's no need for you to feel so guilty.
Dad, my son is lying there connected to tubes.
Please don't try to tell me what I can or cannot feel.
Dad? Some of the older people here remember you.
Mother, too.
They say I look like her. - That's because you do.
What was she like?
When she was young, I mean. You've never told me.
You never asked.
I was afraid of her somehow.
All I remember were the weird stories she would tell.
When she was still able to speak.
Why do you ask now?
I saw something... Something strange when I was underwater.
Something strange? - Yes.
Maybe it was my imagination but it came from somewhere.
It was as real as you standing here right now.
Lack of oxygen can sometimes make you see lights or shapes.
It was something a lot more concrete.
I saw a female figure down there.
Underwater?
You shouldn't have come here.
It's my job.
You don't know how hard I worked to get out of here.
Forward and upward.
Take a look at my life.
Sometimes you take a step forward and sometimes back.
I sacrificed a lot so you wouldn't have to start from scratch.
So you wouldn't have to sacrifice as much.
Nurse!
Niko is soaking wet! - He's been sweating a lot.
The fever's coming down. - He's swimming in a puddle!
I'll change the sheets.
I don't know what they put in the tap water here...
I'll get our stuff and come back. And you watch over him -
while I'm gone. I trust no one here any longer.
And I'm taking your car because mine is at the school.
Take this too. So you get in.
In a minute.
Go back home, you twat!
Sacrificing, sacrifice "demands death or resembling state"
can you offer a sacrifice (E.G. First son) That is not your own'?
Good afternoon.
I came to get my notebook.
The boys found it at the town hall yesterday -
and I took it for safekeeping overnight.
I thought it was stolen.
And decided to break in at my place?
I don't want to make excuses for my burglary but you have to admit -
the cellar looks a bit... -Crazy?
Obsessed? -Well...
Committed.
I've been collecting all kinds of junk, too much even.
I've been thinking this could make lake hallow's own little museum.
That would require careful indexing of every item.
What interests you in here?
Take a look at this.
The same woman. - No, it's not.
Not a woman, I mean.
A spirit. The lake spirit.
Just looks like a woman.
Look at this lithograph.
People thought this is a picture of aino in the kalevala mythology.
That it's part of Robert Wilhelm Ekman's works from 1864.
But it's wrong. - Wrong?
It's not aino. It's the spirit of lake hallow.
Ekman circled these parts in the 18505 and heard a story"
what does the story say?
The miller got rich and... - Yes, but what does the spirit want?
First-born sons.
The spirit returns into the lake and the miller goes about his business...
A family has to give their first son... -To make a deal.
Do you know the story?
My mother used to tell it to me.
But I can't remember it all.
What happens to the boy?
The miller tries to keep his son away from the shore -
but the spirit keeps her end of the deal-
and the miller gets rich whether he wants it or not.
What happens? Does the boy die? Is he sacrificed to the lake?
They're always cruel, old folktales like this one.
Until when did the people here believe in water spirits?
Or make sacrifices?
What could I say? Maybe in the 13th century.
So not in the seventies?
Do you think we're some sort of heathens?
Who were the ones sacrificed?
According to the old legend? - Yes, the legend.
First-born sons.
These are old moral fables.
Some people apparently believe them. - It doesn't make them real.
Someone is trying to scare me away. That makes it real.
No one here will attack people.
I'll make sure of that by leaving today.
Who will save the lake? - Someone else.
Niko has suffered enough because of my job.
Yes, thank you. But not today.
"I found the old photos. I waited a while but had to go."
Lake hallow school
"dearly missed by father, mother, and little sisterjulia."
lake hallow health clinic.
Julia Mannerla speaking. My son Niko is there.
I'd like to know if he's still there with my father.
I have a small favour to ask.
If you could check that everything is fine and that they stay there.
I ask you to guard them.
Under no circumstances let them leave or leave them alone together.
I mean it. My father might be a danger to my son.
Julia...
Where are you now?
Julia, answer me. Where are you?
Why do you answer the phone? What's happened there?
Nothing 's happened.
What do you want?
Take it easy.
I'm staying right here. I'll stay here.
Just take it easy...
Stop it!
No more, no more!
Everything is fine.
I'll stay in here as long as you want me to.
Just take it easy.
Easy now... I'm staying put.
Niko!
Pick up, pick up. Pi¢k up-~
mum! -Niko!
Where are you right now, you with grandad?
Yeah...
He promised to teach me how to swim.
Oh, Niko! Where are you right now?
We're at this... there are stalls...
Listen... what if we play a little trick on grandad?
Grandad!
Can I have an ice-cream? - Let's be quick about it.
Thank you.
Niko!
The parking area is that way.
You have to help me. My father has taken my son Niko.
What the hell have you done with Niko?
Nothing. Do you have him?
I know now what you are. I know what you've done.
What do you mean? - I saw all those things mum saved.
The photos and paper clippings. The locks of hair.
I know everything you've tried to hide from me.
How can you have kept this a secret?
You've kept this from me all my life. And I've believed you.
I should have known what you are. And where all the money came from.
Calm down. Remember what happened to your mother.
You are what happened to my mother!
Have you seen a little boy this tall with a grey hoodie?
Excuse me, have you seen a little boy? Aged seven, grey hoodie?
Excuse me, have you seen a little boy,this tall...
Elias, hello. Have you seen Niko?
Julia, calm down. I don't have him but I just saw him.
Where did you see him?
He's playing with some kids on the wood side of the market'.
Go get him. - Thank you, I'll go straightaway.
Let's go.
Why did you lie to mummy?
Niko! Hey, excuse me. Is Niko here? -No.
Niko!
Julia!
Your father knows what he's doing. You just don't understand.
Niko!
Where are you?
We're in the car right now. With grandad.
Don't let grandad take you to the house. You mustn't go.
We're not staying there. We'll just get my stuff.
Don't go there! Niko, do what I say. - We're right there.
Niko! Listen, give the phone to grandad but don't tell him it's me.
What's the matter?
I want to take these to osku. I can't leave him out there without his toys.
Niko!
Niko, are you here?
Niko, where are you? We're going home now!
Bye bye, osku. So long.
What are you...?
Julia!
Bring Niko back this instant!
Julia...
Julia, you don't understand...
You don't know how difficult it was. What it was like without money...
Julia...
How tough we had it back then.
We should have told you the truth.
But it wasn't easy.
You don't remember all of it. Just like your mother.
It was all too much.
Come to the shore and we'll talk about this!
You lost a brother.
But we lost a child!
Niko?
Niko, where are you?
Let's turn back. Head for the boat.
Niko, listen. Mummy's a bit ill.
Niko? Answer grandad.
Where are you?
Niko! -Grandad!
No, Niko. Why did you...?
Julia, bring Niko back.
Stop,julia. Bring Niko back. Right now.
Do what I say, dammit!
You're sick, you understand? You're mad!
Don't you know what you've done?
I do know. We did wrong to keep juhani a secret from you.
But we did it because of you.
I didn't want for you to have to carry the burden all your life, too.
Juhani sacrificed his own life for you.
You're the one who sacrificed it!
Because of money and some insane old fairytale!
Noljulia, no!
Julia!
No!
Niko!
Grandad...!
Grab onto that!
Mum!
Grandad said you're ill. - Nonsense.
Mummy, listen! Grandad told me.
Don't you remember?
You nearly drowned here.
You should've listened to grandad.
You shouldn't have come here.
Julia! Julia!
Grandad was right.
Stop kicking!
Stop kicking, Julia!
Niko, wait on the pier.
So... Start talking.
We'd been fighting. Your mother and I.
We hadn't even been sleeping properly.
In weeks.
We just didn't notice...
Julia! Julia!
Stop kicking!
Stop kicking, Julia! Stop!
There's no way you can remember.
Or so I thought.
That's what I wanted to think.
Your mother...
Your mother couldn't take it.
She started imagining strange things.
She immersed herself in her own fairytale world...
Water spirits.
The old legend told around here.
We never spoke aboutjuhani again.
Mummy...
Don't cry.