The Finnish film Delivery Run has gained exceptional visibility around the world. Director Joey Palmroos and executive producer Dora Palmroos talk about the surprising popularity of their film.
There must be an error here, Joey Palmroos thought He looked at his phone one fall Monday morning and called his wife For Dora Palmroos.
– I thought, what the hell is this, am I really reading this, Joey says.
Joey Palmroos has directed the new movie Delivery Run. Wife Dora Palmroos is executive producer. Jenni Gästgivar
A novelty film directed by Joey, produced by the Finnish couple’s joint production company Delivery Run had popped up to number 213 on the popular films of the international film database website IMDb. At the same time, the film’s theatrical distribution in the United States had begun. The film’s ranking had risen by fifteen thousand places in one fell swoop.
– We thought for many days that there must be a bug here. That you don’t feel like saying anything yet, there is a mistake here, Joey Palmroos recalls in an interview with Iltalehti.
It was true. IMDb i.e. the Popularity meter of movies on the Internet Movie Database website measures, among other things, the number of times the movie’s page has been searched and viewed. Among the site’s millions of films, a fresh Finnish indie film rose to the top.
– Around us, there were really big movies on the list. I looked that my god. They are big Hollywood studio productions and our film is a domestic indie film made without public funding.
Delivery Run is Turku-based Joey Palmroos’ second feature film. Joey serves as the film’s director, co-writer and one of the producers.
The film takes place in Minnesota, USA, but it was filmed in Ylläs, Lapland. The film’s creators include several international names, such as the British one seen in the lead role Alexander Arnold.
Alexander Arnold plays the lead in Delivery Run. The film was shot in Ylläki during the ski holiday season. Arctic Renegades
Joey Palmroos says that the winter conditions in Lapland came as a “little shock” to foreigners. The visitors were terrified of the dark, 25 degrees below zero and waist-deep snowdrifts.
– It took a little getting used to, but everyone got used to it nicely, Joey says.
Fan meeting in Spain
Theatrical distribution in the United States is a big deal for the international success of Finnish cinema. In today’s world, where streaming services dominate, it is even more challenging to get a film to theatrical distribution.
– It has felt really good and important that the distributor in the United States has wanted to invest in our film. We were hoping to get the movie in theaters in Minnesota as well, we thought it would be amazing. That also came true, the couple rejoices.
In the spring of 2024 Delivery Run screened at the Marché du Film in Cannes, where it won two top prizes in the Frontières Buyers Showcase competition.
This fall, the film was screened at the prestigious Sitges Film Festival in Spain. The movie attracted almost full audiences two nights in a row.
Joey and Dora Palmroos have marketed their film, among other things, by handing out brochures themselves in the center of Helsinki. They want to do the same legwork for their future films as well. Jenni Gästgivar
In Spain, Joey got to experience what it’s like to be the target of fans.
– I was shocked by the reception. People came to the lobby of the hotel and were looking for pictures of the movie scenes. I wasn’t prepared for that at all, Joey marvels.
Dora was also puzzled by the situation. The couple had just arrived in Spain and wanted a shower after the flight.
– We hadn’t even gotten a hotel room yet, when people were already waiting, wanted group photos and asked for numbers for movie posters.
– For comparison, the day before Joey had been at the Helsinki train station in the rain handing out flyers, Dora laughs. The film’s marketing budget has been around zero.
Delivery Run has not received public support. The production is financed with the help of private angel investors, sponsors and partners. The rest has been paid from the company’s cash register the previous day Five Outlaws from the proceeds of the film. The authors do not want to comment on the final total budget.
Delivery Run is Joey Palmroos’ second feature film. Jenni Gästgivar
Similarities
After the first IMDb spike Delivery Run the ranking on the site’s popularity meter has dropped somewhat. The rank of 740 at the end of October was also impressive considering the scale, on November 10 the film was ranked 1090. Users who have watched the film have given the film an average rating of 4.5/10. Almost five hundred assessments have been given.
The trailer In Youtube comments users have compared Delivery Run Steven Spielberg’s 1971 action film Kilometers of horror (from the original name Duel). In it, a salesman walking along the roads is tormented by a mysterious truck driver. The plot also reminds Delivery Run description.
Joey admits that Delivery Run contains references and tributes to the work of more than fifty years ago.
– I love Steven Spielberg and Duel is one of my favorite movies, says Joey.
in Finland Delivery Run the theatrical premiere came on November 5.
– This has been a dream since I was a little boy. The film was shot in Finland, so it’s great to get back here, where it all started, and get to show it to Finns, Joey is happy.