Milka – A Film About Taboos

Adapted from a novel by the late Finnish author Timo Mukka, this straightforward narrative explores the consequences when Milka (Irma Huntus), a young girl on the brink of adulthood, becomes pregnant by Ojanen (Matti Turunen), a simple farmhand. Milka’s mother had aspirations of marrying Ojanen herself, and her daughter’s unexpected pregnancy upends their lives. Set against the stunning backdrop of the Lapp region in northern Finland, the film captures the breathtaking beauty and isolation of the area. The film’s slow-paced dialogue, punctuated by extended silences, emphasizes a sense of natural solitude, while Milka’s recitation of poetry amidst the landscape highlights the connection between nature and conversation. Ultimately, the future of Milka and her mother hinges on the choice Ojanen makes in the end.