Heart of a Lion

Fresh out of prison, Teppo is trying to start a new life. But with the swastika tattooed on his arm and his skinhead friends following him everywhere, it’s closed doors at every turn. When he meets a beautiful blonde at a café, the two forge a steamy connection. Later, Teppo is informed that she has a child from a previous relationship who will be staying with them… and he’s black. Cue a cunning game of wits between Teppo and the young Rhamadhani, in which the two struggle with their conflicting views on race, patriotism, and violence. Once Teppo’s unstable brother moves in, things really start to heat up. A surprisingly tender window into ground-level racial and economic tensions in modern-day Europe, HEART OF A LION creates multi-sided characters that are completely identifiable. Intense and moving, yet warm-hearted and even comical, Teppo and Rhamadhani’s bond transcends skin color, class, and even bloodlines. (In Finnish with subtitles) —C.P.