The short film Memory of the Landscape takes viewers from the valleys of the Oulujoki River to the dunes of Rokua and the open waters of Lake Oulujärvi, revealing the layers of northern nature and culture on the threshold of the European Capital
A new short film, Memory of the Landscape, was filmed during the summer of 2025 across the Oulujoki River Valley, the Rokua area, and Lake Oulujärvi. The film guides viewers from the lush riverbanks of the Oulujoki to Rokua’s ancient dunes and the expansive lake scenery of Oulujärvi. Its purpose is to highlight the region’s natural and cultural heritage as well as the aesthetics of the northern landscape—values that have contributed to the area’s UNESCO recognition.
Memory of the Landscape was released last October on the UN International Geodiversity Day. The video will play a central role in the Oulujoki region’s communications related to the European Capital of Culture year. The Oulujoki River Basin is nationally significant as a cradle of cultural heritage, and the stories embedded in the landscape have been preserved there since ancient times.
The short film was created by filmmaker Sami Mustonen from Muhos. Mustonen explains that the stories ingrained in the landscape were the core inspiration for both the planning and production of the film:
“Memory of the Landscape leads the viewer on a journey through time to the formation of the Rokua Geopark’s landscape features. The film invites us to reflect on the spirit of place, the sensory qualities of the environment, and the layered nature of the landscape. When we learn to discover different dimensions within a landscape, it enriches our experience and brings even familiar surroundings to life in new ways.”
The region is familiar to Mustonen, who spent his entire childhood along the Oulujoki River. Thus, the timing—just ahead of the Capital of Culture year—felt right for weaving the area’s stories into a cinematic form.
“The nature, history, and stories of this region have been part of my life since childhood, and they formed the foundation for the script of Memory of the Landscape. I believe that a cinematic approach brings out the region’s depth and narrative richness. Since storytelling is at the core of the area’s identity, it feels natural to express it through film.”
The short film was produced using local resources. Both the main character and the narrator have roots on the shores of Lake Oulujärvi. The maps and figure drawings were created by Mustonen’s sister, and his friend from Utajärvi assisted in production. The commissioner and financier of the film was Humanpolis Ltd., the regional development company that oversees Rokua Geopark.
UNESCO’s international geopark programme includes geologically exceptional areas around the world. One of their tasks is to communicate and increase appreciation for natural and cultural heritage. Mikko Kiuttu, Director of Rokua Geopark, believes the short film strongly supports UNESCO’s mission in the region:
“As a UNESCO site, we want to communicate the value of our environment holistically. Memory of the Landscape ties together the different layers of the landscape. It honours the natural and cultural heritage of the area and brings forth the stories preserved in the terrain with sensitivity and respect. With this film, we hope to encourage people to explore even familiar landscapes with all their senses and discover the many layers of our environment.”
Memory of the Landscape was published on Rokua Geopark’s Facebook and YouTube channels and can also be accessed through the Rokua Geopark website. The Finnish version was released first, and an English version is already in progress.
More information about the short film: https://rokuageopark.fi/maiseman-muisti/
Authors:
Mikko Kiuttu, CEO, Rokua Geopark
Katariina van Boxtel, Tourism Coordinator, Rokua Geopark
Sami Mustonen, Entrepreneur, Producer
