Jalmari Helander

Jalmari Helander
Jalmari Helander in 2010
Born (1976-07-21) 21 July 1976
Helsinki, Finland
Occupation(s)Film director, screenwriter
Notable workRare Exports: A Christmas Tale (2010)
Big Game (2014)
Sisu (2022)
RelativesJorma Tommila (brother-in-law)
Onni Tommila (nephew)

Jalmari Helander (born 21 July 1976)[1] is a Finnish screenwriter and film director. He is known for the 2010 film Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale, the 2014 action-adventure Big Game starring Samuel L. Jackson, and the 2022 WWII action film Sisu. Before turning to feature films, Helander directed several short films and award-winning television commercials.[2] In 2025, it was announced that Helander would direct John Rambo, the upcoming prequel to First Blood (1982) in the Rambo franchise.[3]

Helander is the brother-in-law of actor Jorma Tommila and the maternal uncle of Jorma's son Onni, both of whom have acted in his films.

Filmography

Short film

Year Title Director Writer Producer Editor
1999 Jäämies Yes Uncredited No Yes
Maximillian Tarzan Yes Yes No Yes
2001 Ukkonen  Yes Yes No No
2003 Rare Exports, Inc.  Yes Yes No No
2005 Rare Exports: The Official Safety Instructions  Yes Yes No No
2006 Fakiiri Yes Story Yes No
2011 Viimeinen pisara Yes Yes No No

Feature film

Year Title Director Writer
2010 Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale Yes Yes
2014 Big Game Yes Yes
2022 Sisu Yes Yes
2025 Sisu 2[4] Yes Yes

TV series

Year Title Notes
2017-2018 Wingman  9 episodes
2020 Perfect Commando 1 episode
2021 Karkurit 1 episode

See also

References

  1. ^ "Jalmari Helander". British Film Institute. Archived from the original on 27 December 2013. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  2. ^ "Big Game". Toronto International Film Festival. 2014. Archived from the original on 4 February 2015. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  3. ^ Lehtonen, Veli-Pekka (20 May 2025). "John Rambo ja minä" [John Rambo and I]. Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). Retrieved 22 May 2025.
  4. ^ "Nyt se vahvistui: Sisu 2 on tekeillä – Jalmari Helander palaa ohjaajaksi". Muropaketti (in Finnish). 20 December 2023. Retrieved 29 December 2023.