Free Skate

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1:30

Free Skate

Released Jan 27, 2023

2h 0m

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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Popcornmeter

82%

Tomatometer

11 Reviews

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

A young and promising Russian figure skater is found beaten and frostbitten in a lay-by of a motorway in Finland. In the hospital, the officials find a letter from her belongings and are able to reconnect her with her Finnish grandmother, whom she has not seen for years. With the help of her grandmother, who offers her the shelter of her home, the figure skater tries to re-establish herself and recover from the trauma and inhumane circumstances that forced her to flee from Russia. She finds a new chance with top figure skating, but despite the bright future, new friends and possibilities, her past won't let go of her. The figure skater realizes facing her troubled past is the only option to make it to the top.

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Noel Murray

Los Angeles Times

The film is visually sharp and quietly absorbing, and Olenius and Vilo sensitively capture the isolation and self-doubt that can make an athlete’s life so lonely.

Mar 3, 2023

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Carla Hay

Culture Mix

Free Skate starts off slowly, but the movie's story unfolds in layers, so the last half of the movie is better than the first half. It's a drama about the dark side of competitive figure skating, with notable acting and screenwriting from Veera W. Vilo.

Mar 21, 2023

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Jules Caldeira

Film Inquiry

If you’re able to watch this film, please do. It’s an engaging character-driven drama that skates the edge of being a thriller as it progresses, and this young woman’s journey will keep your attention through to the end.

Mar 11, 2023

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

If you're a fan of figure skating, there's a good chance you liked the film better than I did.

Rated: C

Mar 8, 2023

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Sarah Boslaugh

TheArtsStl

Free Skate is beautifully shot by Mikke Kaurio, and skating scenes involving the central character are cleverly framed to disguise the fact that Vilo was a world-class gymnast, not a skater...

Rated: 6/10

Feb 28, 2023

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Alan Ng

Film Threat

Roope Olenius and Veera W. Vilo present a blunt and wide-eyed story of a sport that should be about healthy competition and the joy of creating art.

Rated: 8/10

Feb 28, 2023

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Roope Olenius

Director

Veera W. Vilo

Actor

Leena Uotila

Actor

Karoliina Blackburn

Actor

Saara Elina

Actor

Jevgeni Haukka

Actor

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Free Skate: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

A young and promising Russian figure skater is found beaten and frostbitten in a lay-by of a motorway in Finland. In the hospital, the officials find a letter from her belongings and are able to reconnect her with her Finnish grandmother, whom she has not seen for years. With the help of her grandmother, who offers her the shelter of her home, the figure skater tries to re-establish herself and recover from the trauma and inhumane circumstances that forced her to flee from Russia. She finds a new chance with top figure skating, but despite the bright future, new friends and possibilities, her past won't let go of her. The figure skater realizes facing her troubled past is the only option to make it to the top.

Director: Roope Olenius
Producer: Roope Olenius, Veera W. Vilo, Teea Siltanen, Miikka J. Anttila
Screenwriter: Veera W. Vilo
Distributor: Indiecan Entertainment
Production Co: Bright Fame Pictures, Optipari Oy
Genre: Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: Finnish
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 27, 2023, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 28, 2023
Runtime: 2h 0m

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