Free Skate

Play trailer

1:30

Free Skate

2023

2h 0m

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

89%

Tomatometer

9 Reviews

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

A young and promising Russian figure skater is found beaten and frostbitten in a lay-by of a motorway in Finland. In the hospital, the officials find a letter from her belongings and are able to reconnect her with her Finnish grandmother, whom she has not seen for years. With the help of her grandmother, who offers her the shelter of her home, the figure skater tries to re-establish herself and recover from the trauma and inhumane circumstances that forced her to flee from Russia. She finds a new chance with top figure skating, but despite the bright future, new friends and possibilities, her past won't let go of her. The figure skater realizes facing her troubled past is the only option to make it to the top.

Noel Murray

Los Angeles Times

03/03/2023

The film is visually sharp and quietly absorbing, and Olenius and Vilo sensitively capture the isolation and self-doubt that can make an athlete’s life so lonely.

Go to Full Review

Carla Hay

Culture Mix

03/21/2023

Free Skate starts off slowly, but the movie's story unfolds in layers, so the last half of the movie is better than the first half. It's a drama about the dark side of competitive figure skating, with notable acting and screenwriting from Veera W. Vilo.

Go to Full Review

Jules Caldeira

Film Inquiry

03/11/2023

If you’re able to watch this film, please do. It’s an engaging character-driven drama that skates the edge of being a thriller as it progresses, and this young woman’s journey will keep your attention through to the end.

Go to Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

03/08/2023

C

If you're a fan of figure skating, there's a good chance you liked the film better than I did.

Go to Full Review

Sarah Boslaugh

TheArtsStl

02/28/2023

6/10

Free Skate is beautifully shot by Mikke Kaurio, and skating scenes involving the central character are cleverly framed to disguise the fact that Vilo was a world-class gymnast, not a skater...

Go to Full Review

Alan Ng

Film Threat

02/28/2023

8/10

Roope Olenius and Veera W. Vilo present a blunt and wide-eyed story of a sport that should be about healthy competition and the joy of creating art.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Roope Olenius

Director

Veera W. Vilo

Actor

Leena Uotila

Actor

Karoliina Blackburn

Actor

Saara Elina

Actor

Jevgeni Haukka

Actor

True North

82%

76%

True North

Watchlist

Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway

13%

92%

Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway

Chile '76

91%

96%

Chile '76

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Chile '76

Bel Canto

47%

46%

Bel Canto

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Bel Canto

The Wonder

84%

72%

The Wonder

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Wonder

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Free Skate: Trailer 1

1:30

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

A young and promising Russian figure skater is found beaten and frostbitten in a lay-by of a motorway in Finland. In the hospital, the officials find a letter from her belongings and are able to reconnect her with her Finnish grandmother, whom she has not seen for years. With the help of her grandmother, who offers her the shelter of her home, the figure skater tries to re-establish herself and recover from the trauma and inhumane circumstances that forced her to flee from Russia. She finds a new chance with top figure skating, but despite the bright future, new friends and possibilities, her past won't let go of her. The figure skater realizes facing her troubled past is the only option to make it to the top.

Director: Roope Olenius
Producer: Roope Olenius, Veera W. Vilo, Teea Siltanen, Miikka J. Anttila
Screenwriter: Veera W. Vilo
Distributor: Indiecan Entertainment
Production Co: Bright Fame Pictures, Optipari Oy
Genre: Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: Finnish
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 27, 2023, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 28, 2023
Runtime: 2h 0m

Most Popular at Home Now