Anni-Kristina Yuso Actress Date of Birth: 04.05.1979 Country: Finland

1. Biography of Annika Kristina Jusso
2. Embracing Sami Traditions
3. Acting Career and Encounter with Russia
4. Connection to Sami Culture and Love for Russia
5. Popularity and Current Work

Biography of Annika Kristina Jusso

Annika Kristina Jusso is an award-winning actress known for her roles in the film "Cuckoo". She was born in Lapland, Finland, to a Finnish mother and a Sami father. The Sami people are known for their efforts to preserve their traditions and culture. Annika Kristina describes her family as being closely connected to nature, but in other aspects, they are like any other Europeans. Her father and uncle live a more traditional lifestyle, engaging in activities like mountain climbing, fishing, and traveling by reindeer. However, they also embrace modern technology, such as mobile phones and snowmobiles. Annika Kristina's family lives in western Finland, where the Sami people have been able to maintain their culture.

Embracing Sami Traditions

Annika Kristina's father made sure to instill Sami traditions in her from an early age. He taught her the Sami language and initially discouraged her mother from speaking Finnish to her. She grew up going fishing with her father and learning how to handle a reindeer sled. She states that she had the same upbringing as any other Sami child. From a young age, Annika Kristina dreamed of becoming an actress. She often performed in school plays and amateur theatrical productions. At the age of 15, she had the opportunity to pursue her dream and enrolled in the Helsinki Theatre School. She admits that her upbringing made her different from city girls, and for the first three years of her studies, she was fully dedicated to her acting education and missed Lapland dearly.

Acting Career and Encounter with Russia

In 1999, Annika Kristina visited Russia for the first time while preparing a play about the Siege of Leningrad with her theater school friends. The experience left a negative impression on her, and she vowed it would be her first and last visit. However, fate had other plans for her. When Alexander Rogozhkin was casting for the film "Cuckoo," he was searching for a Sami actress for the lead role. This was a challenging task as there were few actors from the Sami community. Ville Haapasalo, the Finnish actor cast in the film, actively assisted Rogozhkin in the search. They sent out inquiries to all countries where the Sami people live and searched online. Annika Kristina recalls sending her audition tapes as one of the last candidates and not expecting to get the role. However, Rogozhkin appreciated her directness and even the fact that she yawned a few times on camera. Moreover, her name, Annika, coincided with the character's name, adding to her destiny. Although Annika Kristina initially struggled with the Russian language during filming, she had the support of Ville Haapasalo, who acted as her translator from Russian to Finnish. The film's crew also included English speakers, helping her communicate more comfortably. She eventually learned the Russian language and felt like part of a big family on set.

Connection to Sami Culture and Love for Russia

Due to her upbringing and knowledge of Sami customs, Annika Kristina connected deeply with her character in "Cuckoo." She provided valuable insights and suggestions to Alexander Rogozhkin during filming, bringing authenticity to the portrayal. The film was highly praised, with the trio of actors, including Annika Kristina, receiving acclaim for their performances. The role in "Cuckoo" marked Annika Kristina's debut in film, and it transformed her opinion of Russia. She states that thanks to Rogozhkin, Russia became an important and cherished country for her. She genuinely loves Russia and its people.

Popularity and Current Work

Russian audiences have embraced Annika Kristina, making her more popular in Russia than in her native Finland. In Finland, she currently works as a radio host, presenting programs in the Sami language. Despite her success and recognition abroad, she remains connected to her Sami roots and continues to promote Sami culture and traditions.