13 Facts About Mikko Niskanen

Mikko Johannes Niskanen was a Finnish film director, actor, producer and screenwriter.

Mikko Niskanen directed more than 40 films between 1956 and 1988.

Mikko Niskanen's most acclaimed films include The Boys, Under Your Skin The Song of the Blood-Red Flower, and Eight Deadly Shots.

Mikko Niskanen won a record number of six Jussi Awards for direction over his career.

Mikko Niskanen was the third of six children, and his father worked as a timber barge pilot.

At the age of 13, Mikko Niskanen started working in timber felling and floating.

Mikko Niskanen took a serious interest in amateur theatre and was accepted to study at the Finnish Theatre Academy in Helsinki from 1947 until 1950.

Mikko Niskanen then acted in Jyvaskyla and Kuopio theatres until 1954 when he landed an actor's job at the film studios of Suomen Filmiteollisuus in Helsinki.

Between 1958 and 1961 Niskanen studied at the Moscow Film School in the Soviet Union.

Mikko Niskanen continued his directing career focusing on themes such as rural life and youth.

Mikko Niskanen gradually becomes a violent alcoholic who goes on killing spree when the police arrive to calm him down.

Besides directing, Mikko Niskanen gave a powerful and intense performance in the leading role.

The film, like many of Mikko Niskanen's works was shot on locations around his home province north of Jyvaskyla.