HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY draws a portrait of the citizens of Helsinki during the annual celebration of nationhood. The film follows different groups, like Antifa, “let’s close the borders” -torch march, ultra right wing, anarchists and “no nazis to Helsinki” -demonstration, as well as other citizens observing the events. Independence Day in Helsinki is the biggest police operation of the year in Finland. The kids following the events are commenting on the happenings with their own philosophies about Star Wars, religion and humanity in general. The questions about national identity seem to tear people living in Finland apart. At the same time , it seems that kids, the future citizens, don’t understand the concept of national identity the same way as adults do.