The movie Bayoneta tells the story of a Mexican boxer running from his past. The leading roles are played by Mexican star Luis Gerardo Méndes and Finns Joonas Saartamo and Laura Birn.

Starting on 20 February, a movie has been filmed in Turku in a Mexican-Finnish cooperation. In the movie Bayoneta, the Mexican boxer Miguel is played by Luis Gerardo Méndes. He is an internationally renowned actor, who has appeared in the Netflix-produced Club de Cuervos series, for example. Joonas Saartamo, Laura Birn, Ilkka Koivula, and Ville Virtanen are the Finnish actors seen in the movie.

The movie shows the former professional boxer Miguel ‘Bayoneta’ Galindez leaving Tijuana, Mexico, and finally ending up in Turku, Finland, where he works as a coach at a modest boxing gym, trying to shake free from his past.

The movie is situated in both Tijuana and Turku. Turku is essential for the story, according to one of the producers, Rafael Ley.

- We wanted to counterbalance the Mexican atmosphere through Finland. The main character wants to break free and go somewhere he can be unknown and alone. The strange place drives him to seek himself, says producer Ley.

According to producer Johanna Enäsuo, scenes have been filmed in Varissuo and Runosmäki, the harbour area, and Föri, among other places.

According to producer Johanna Enäsuo, scenes have been filmed in Varissuo and Runosmäki, the harbour area, and Föri, among other places.

Dressed in a tracksuit, Luis Gerardo Méndes warms up carefully, takes up a Fiskars sledgehammer, and slams it down on a tractor wheel. After the scene, Mendes and his colleague in a light jacket, Brontis Jodorowksy, receive feedback from the director Kyzza Terrazas. The scene is filmed in a courtyard in the harbour, with the Turku Castle looming in the background..

It is still difficult to say which scenes will end up in the final version of the movie, but according to producer Rafael Ley, Föri may well be seen in it.

- I believe so, because one of the most significant dialogues takes place on the ferry, Ley says.

So far, the fluctuating Finnish winter weather has not caused any problems with the shoots.

- We had snow when we needed it. If it hadn’t come from the sky, we would have had to make it artificially, says producer Johanna Enäsuo.

Approximately half of the movie is filmed in Turku, and the rest elsewhere. Approximately 15 filming days have been scheduled in Turku, and the city plays a significant role in the movie.

- Almost the entire story is located in Turku. We’ll only film indoor scenes in Mexico City, says Ley.

Almost the entire story is located in Turku.

Producer Rafael Ley

Productions are welcome in Turku

According to Film Commissioner Teija Raninen from the West Finland Film Commission, an international production being filmed in Turku is the result of long-term work.

- We have worked for a long time with the Finnish production company of the movie. They contacted us, and everything went quite smoothly, Raninen praises.

Members of the Mexican production group visited Turku for the first time in February 2016.

People have been really active in participating and helping with the process

Producer Johanna Enäsuo

Film Commissioner Raninen hopes that Bayoneta will provide a solid stepping stone for Turku as the filming location of other international productions.

- We have worked for seven years for the production incentives. At the moment, we have an excellent negotiation situation with two international productions

Raninen also praises the positive effects of the productions on the financial situation of the region.

- This production group consists of approximately 50 people, plus the actors. Such productions will liven up the local service providers.

Producer Johanna Enäsuo thanks the city and people of Turku for having a positive attitude.

- People have been really active in participating and helping with the process