Five movies to feast on at Helsinki International Film Festival 2026
We are so back. In fact, we've never been more back. Helsinki International Film Festival (a.k.a. Love & Anarchy) returns to entertain, challenge and enthral the Finnish audiences once again with its 2026 edition. The festival kicks off today, the 17th of September, and runs until the 27th. We have five under-the-radar picks for you movie-loving maniacs. Vive le cinéma!
Okay, let's sink our teeth into the good stuff:
ARRESTED MEMORY
What is it about? Lee is a superstar police detective in Taipei. After losing his team during a crime investigation, he is haunted by guilt and transferred to a rural police station. Traumatised by the incident, Lee develops amnesia—but is determined to keep it a secret. Soon, he is assigned a new case: the kidnapping of the son of an influential Japanese businessman. As his memory continues to fade, Lee can only rely on his instincts—which, against all odds, lead him to the criminals.
The main reason to watch it: The humour. It's fun to laugh sometimes, you know.
Starring: Ethan Juan, Kirishima Reika, Moon Lee
Director(s): Sabu
Genre(s), medium(s): Comedy, crime
DUA
What is it about? Prishtina, Kosovo, late 1990s. As war looms and ethnic tensions escalate, 13-year-old Dua struggles to find her place among her peers and within her changing body. After an incident shakes her community, she becomes a target herself and bonds with a fearless girl, Maki, who draws her toward an unexpected form of resistance. Between the daily violence and the growing threat of exile, there is little room for quiet awakenings.
The main reason to watch it: The movie's empathic approach.
Starring: Pinea Matoshi, Vlera Bilalli, Yllka Gashi
Director(s): Blerta Basholli
Genre(s), medium(s): Drama, coming-of-age
ELEPHANTS IN THE FOG | तिनीहरू
What is it about? In a remote Nepalese village nestled deep in the forest, Pirati leads a house of Kinnar women, an ancient third-gender community both revered and feared for their believed power to bless or curse. As wild elephants roam the darkness, the villagers are forced to conduct nightly patrols to protect their crops and homes, with Pirati’s Kinnar family volunteering one member each night. Pirati dreams of escaping with the mustachioed Drum Master she loves, against the sacred vows of celibacy of her community. But when one of her daughters disappears during a nightly patrol, and she's met with cold indifference by police, Pirati is left with no choice but to investigate the disappearance herself. As the mystery unravels, Pirati stirs up dangerous tensions that threaten to sever the ties she has forged with her family, forcing her to choose between love and her beloved community.
The main reason to watch it: Who doesn't love a stunning final sequence?
Starring: Jasmin Bishwokarma, Puspa Thing Lama, Sahab Din Miya
Director(s): Abinash Bikram Shah
Genre(s), medium(s): Drama
NUISANCE BEAR
What is it about? Churchill, Manitoba, is famous as an international destination for photographing polar bears. We’ve seen the majestic images and classic wildlife series captured here—but what do these bears see of us? Through a shift in perspective, Nuisance Bear reveals an obstacle course of tourist paparazzi and wildlife officers whom bears must navigate during their annual migration.
The main reason to watch it: Thrilling action photography.
Key words: Polar bears, wildlife, indigenous
Director(s): Gabriela Osio Vanden, Jack Weisman
Genre(s), medium(s): Documentary, nature
THE STATION | المحطّة
What is it about? Layal runs a women-only petrol station in Yemen, a safe haven in a war-torn country. There, the rules are simple: no men, no weapons, no politics. When Layal's younger brother faces enlistment, she reunites with her estranged sister to save the one life they still can.
The main reason to watch it: Its unique setting.
Starring: Fatima Hassan, Manal Al-Mulaiki, Rashad Khaled
Director(s): Sara Ishaq
Genre(s), medium(s): Drama
Enjoy the movies! Visit the festival's website for more.
