ISMO – BREAKING BAD ENGLISH premiering in theatres this November, tells the story of Ismo Leikola

Watch the teaser here.

“How is it possible that a shy, outsider Finn is doing this in America?” Ismo asks himself in the movie. ISMO – Breaking Bad English unveils Ismo’s journey from childhood to the present and reveals how he became Finland’s most successful stand-up comedian and a global superstar selling out shows worldwide.

ISMO – Breaking Bad English is a cinematic version of the saying “through hardships to the stars.” Ismo, who grew up in Jyväskylä, is a shy boy with a vivid imagination who has trouble fitting in. As a student in his twenties, he stumbles upon a new form of expression in Finland, stand-up comedy, which suits him perfectly. Ismo quickly rises to become one of Finland’s most successful stand-up comedians, but that’s not enough for him. He decides to pursue a career in the United States, the homeland of the world’s most famous comedians.

The film features several world-famous stand-up comedians, including Jay Leno and Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias.

“Ismo’s popularity and the significance of comedy completely surprised us during the filming trips! In a sold-out concert hall in New York, he gets the audience to stand and applaud. On the street, people stop to talk about how Ismo’s jokes hit home. Ismo’s comedy is like a secret mirror for Americans – and a comfort for us billion non-native English speakers: ‘Hey, I’ve been through this too!'” says the film’s co-director Ilkka Hynninen.

ISMO – Breaking Bad English premieres in Finland on November 1, 2024.

The film is produced by ICS Nordic Oy and directed by Ilkka Hynninen and Saku Pollari.

The film is distributed and marketed by SF Studios, which has distributed films such as Juice, Vesku, Selänne, and JVG: Vuodet ollu tuulisii.

ISMO – Breaking Bad English

Premiere: 1.11.2024

Starring: Ismo Leikola

Directors: Ilkka Hynninen, Saku Pollari

Screenwriters: Riku Suokas, Johanna Tohni, and Ismo Leikola

Producer: Erna Aalto

Executive Producers: Ilkka Hynninen, Ilkka Rahkonen, Jarkko Hentula

Production: ICS Nordic

Distribution and Marketing: SF Studios

ICS Nordic is a production company founded in 2022 by film and TV industry veterans Ilkka Hynninen and Ilkka Rahkonen. The company also includes Erna Aalto as the operational director and business managers Jarkko Hentula (films), Petja Peltomaa (fiction series), and Katri Varjos (non-fiction and entertainment). ICS Nordic produces diverse and high-quality audiovisual content for a global audience in collaboration with domestic and international partners.

SF Studios has been the leading film company in the Nordic region for a hundred years. Headquartered in Stockholm with subsidiaries in Norway, Denmark, and Finland, SF Studios produces entertainment content for silver screen, television, and home distribution. Additionally, it is a leading distributor of Nordic and foreign films in the Nordic market. Its business areas include Nordic production, Nordic and international co-productions, theatrical and home entertainment distribution, international sales, and digital streaming services.