Laulu tunturille

A musical short film by Lapland traveller Aimo Jäderholm about the winter landscapes of Lapland in the 1940s. "Leave, leave for the fells, leave for Ylläs..." is sung by Repe Helismaa and Tapio Rautavaara, who in this very rare film have allowed the camera to be present on their private Lapland trip in mid-March 1949, and the wives of both Lapland enthusiasts are also present. The beginning of the film is illustrated by Repe's long rally "Leave, leave for the fells", which is probably not recorded anywhere else but in this film. "You can forget about the bag of crumbs during the trip, only when you arrive can you have a nice rest..." In the final part, Tapsa performs his bravura, Rakovalkea, written by Repe at night by fire: "It is night and the stars in the sky shine brightly, the moon shines brightly on the fells... This land of ice and snow, it fascinates, enchants, and my mind keeps returning here."

Directed by Aimo Jäderholm, Laulu tunturille leans on a strong ensemble — Reino Helismaa, Tapio Rautavaara — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about documentary titles of 1949.