- Born
- Mika Ronkainen is an award-winning film director and screenwriter from northern Finland. His current work, the mystery drama series Taivaan kansalaiset (2026), continues his exploration of morality, faith, and human vulnerability. Previously, Ronkainen directed and co-created the acclaimed psychological crime drama series All the Sins (2019), which became a major success both in Finland and internationally. Originally commissioned by Elisa Viihde, the series has been broadcast worldwide on platforms and channels including HBO, Channel 4, Arte, SkyShowtime, and Canal+.
After a career in music, Ronkainen began directing documentary films at the age of 26 and built an international reputation with documentaries such as Finnish Blood Swedish Heart (2012), Freetime Machos (2009) and Huutajat - Screaming Men (2003), which screened at major international festivals including Sundance, Tribeca, IDFA, and Karlovy Vary. His last documentary before moving into scripted drama, a musical road movie documentary Finnish Blood Swedish Heart (2012) won two Finnish Film Awards (Jussi Awards) for Best Documentary and Best Music.
In 2013, Variety selected Ronkainen as one of ten European directors to watch.
Known for combining dark humor, emotional intensity, and distinctive northern landscapes, Ronkainen’s work often explores outsiders, identity, shame, and redemption.
- IMDb mini biography by: anonymous
- Ronkainen used to be a member of the screaming men's choir in the mid 1990's before he made the documentary Huutajat - Screaming Men (2003) about the choir and the conductor Petri Sirviö.
- Ronkainen is one of the founders of Air Guitar World Championships which has been organized annually in his hometown Oulu, Finland, since 1996.
- I come from a tiny village, but back in the day you could see films on a big screen in the countryside. So I went to see a lot of films as a child. I remember seeing "Jaws 2" when I was eight and I couldn't swim for a couple of years.
- I think I make documentaries the same way as Mike Leigh does fiction films. The only difference is that we don't rehearse and we have only one take.
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content
