German PremiereFinland 2025Language:FinnishSubtitles:GermanDirector:Visa Koiso-KanttilaWriter:Reeta RuotsalainenCinematographer:Kerttu HakkarainenEditor:Matti NäränenMusic:Lau NauSound:Janne LaineWith:Ona Huczkowski, Kati Outinen,Tuomas Nilsson, Emmi Parviainen, Samuli Niittymäki, Jarkko PajunenProducer:Minna Haapkylä, Olli Suominen, Tiina PesonenProduction Company:Rabbit Films93 min, Colour

17-year-old Vilma has lost her father and is unable to get along with her family after her mother remarries. She ends up at a boarding school where strict discipline is enforced upon the youngsters. This rebellious young woman has, however, no intention whatsoever of submitting to the rigid rules and harassment of the boarding-school staff, and begins to rebel against the institution and the system. A gripping drama inspired by true events. At the centre is a fantastic young leading actress (Ona Huczkowski) as the non-conformist, headstrong Vilma. Also on board: Kaurismäki-star Kati Outinen who, in a completely different role, is absolutely convincing as the perfidious school director.

Director's Biography:Visa Koiso-Kanttila, born 1970 in Finland, studied documentary film in New York. In 1999, he founded the production company Guerilla Films Ltd. In collaboration with his wife and colleague Iiris Härmä, he primarily shoots documentary films. DEFIANT is his second feature film.

Director's Filmography:

2017 STAR BOYS
2010 PORTRAIT OF A MAN (DOC)
2004 FATHER TO SON (DOC)
1998 THE BANISHED (DOC)