EXCLUSIVE: Jarkko Lahti will lead The White Death as Simo Häyhä, the Finnish sniper who is believed to have killed over 500 enemy soldiers in 98 days in the 1940 Winter War between Finland and the Soviet Union.
Toni Kurkimaki’s Finnish-language film will shoot from January 2027 for Finland’s Blankface Oy and Denmark’s Nordisk Film, produced by Mikko Jokipii, Pekka Pohjoispää and Tuukka Haapamäki. Nordisk Film will distribute in Finland and Nordic countries in 2027. Screen revealed first news of the film last year.
The White Death will tell the story of Häyhä, a farmer from Rautjârvi in Finland’s South Karelia region, who became a symbol of Finnish resistance in the Winter War due to his skills as a marksman. He is widely regarded as one of the most skilled snipers in history; and was severely wounded a week before the war’s end, suffering a face wound that left him permanently disfigured.
Additional casting is underway, including for an international actor to play a key role of a rival Soviet sniper.
Lahti, who was in Cannes in 2016 as the lead of The Happiest Day in the Life of Olli Maki, has spent one year preparing to play Häyhä, incuding precision shooting under the guidance of author and retired soldier Tapio Saarelainen, who interviewed Häyhä between 1997 and 2002 and has provided Lahti with access to unreleased interview footage.
“There’s a lot of energy surrounding the name Simo Häyhä, and I feel my responsibility is to portray the man behind the myth,” said Lahti. “Häyhä was a shy, modest, and reserved man. I will respect his character. With this role, I want to honor the entire generation that lived through the Winter War as well as my own Karelian heritage.”
“This is a role that demands comprehensive preparation. Häyhä’s story is more relevant today than ever,” added Lahti.
“A project like this rises or falls with the right lead actor, and for quite some time, it’s been clear to us that Jarkko Lahti is the right person for this role,” said Kurkimäki. “Jarkko’s dedication has been incredibly committed from the very beginning. It’s important to tell this story now, especially as war is once again raging in Europe.”
The White Death will be Finnish filmmaker Kurkimäki’s second feature, after 2023 historical drama Lapua 1976.
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