Legendary Finnish Author Leads Propaganda Unit During Soviet Invasion

As Soviet bombs rain down on Helsinki in 1939, best-selling Finnish novelist Mika Waltari finds himself leading the Finnish Propaganda Unit, tasked with creating "true lies" to deceive the enemy. Alongside Waltari, war correspondents including the renowned Martha Gelhorn, Ernest Hemingway's future wife, pursue the truth on the ground.

These captivating real-life events will soon be brought to the screen in the six-part series "Helsinki 1939," directed by AJ Annila. The series, produced by Take Two Studios, has been ordered by leading Finnish streaming service Elisa Viihde and will explore the contrasting roles of propagandists and journalists during the Winter War.

Set against the lavish backdrop of Helsinki's grand Hotel Kämp, "Helsinki 1939" promises to be a visually striking and emotionally charged drama, blending the opulent lives of the hotel's inhabitants with the horrors of war unfolding outside. Annila aims to offer a fresh perspective on the Winter War, moving beyond the classic portrayals and delving into the complex dynamics of wartime propaganda and the pursuit of truth.