Roots in the Stone

Roots in the Stone is a film essay about love, life and spirits and a millennia old story which becomes alive in the modern world. A magic story with mysticism, wise thoughts, beautiful views, cute animals and burning sofas.

It all started 15 years ago. I was in the deepest crisis of my life but then I met Mylène, who would soon become my wife. She brought to my life endless love and joy, but also an extra family member besides herself: Mylène had a natural gift of communicating with spirits and thanks to her gift we got a connection to a bronze age shaman woman named R, who practically became a beloved part of our family.

R was wise and loving, but also wildly humorous and curious about our modern world. She was also carrying the tragic story of her tribe which was wiped away on one winter morning due to unfulfilled love story and a fatal misunderstanding.

R wanted me to tell her story to the people of our times. That was a great honor but there was one condition: I had to grow to the role of a story teller – and that was the most difficult path I’ve ever taken.

Roots in the story is a story of that wonderful journey. It’s a mixture of love story, symbolic fairy tale and crazy sitcom. It’s a story that makes you laugh, cry and think.

Written and directed by Mikko Keinonen.
Camera and sound: Mikko Keinonen, Nino Kuu, Mylène Meursault.
Drone video: Ilja Valter
Music recording: Ari Kaartinen, Harri Loiva, Patrick Tubin McGinley, Stephan Plank.
Sound design: Salla Hämäläinen
Music: Chanan Hanspal, Alexey Chichakov, Marcello Giannandrea,
Hanna Järvi, Mike Keneally, Harri Loiva, Laura Sovio. 
Editing: Mikko Keinonen

Narrator: Mikko Keinonen.
Main persons: Mylène Meursault, Mikko Keinonen, Otso Keinonen, Emma Keinonen.
Others in order of appearance:
Timo Miettinen, Juha Pentikäinen, Veeti-Kalle Dahl, Santeri Patrikainen. Hannu Jääskeläinen, Heikki Liukko, Osmo Pelkonen, Martti Issakainen, Niina Juvonen, Tomi Laurikainen, Pia Paananen, Ville Paukkonen, Henna Pöyhönen, Laura Sovio, Jaana Lindblad, Plat Lindblad, Leena Silfverberg, Paul Silfverberg, Jukka Keinonen, Jali Jumisko, Tuula Paul

Support: Finnish Film Foundation, Municipality of Heinävesi, Arts Promotion Centre Finland

Production: Soisalo-Media / Heinäveden Muinaisseura ry / KOVAMENO osk 2026
Producer: Mikko Keinonen

Press pictures are available on my Flickr account.