| Almost 18 | |
| Native Name: | |
| Director: | Maarit Lalli |
| Producer: | Maarit Lalli |
| Music: | Kepa Lehtinen |
| Cinematography: | Jan Nyman, Maarit Lalli, Harri Räty |
| Editing: | Jenny Tervakari, Maarit Lalli |
| Studio: | Huh huh -filmi Oy |
| Distributor: | Oy Nordisk Film Ab |
| Runtime: | 110 minutes |
| Country: | Finland |
| Language: | Finnish |
Almost 18 (Finnish: Kohta 18) is a 2012 Finnish film. It is the first feature film by director Maarit Lalli who also wrote the screenplay with her son Henrik Mäki-Tanila, one of the main actors in the film.[1]
Kohta 18 tells six stories of five teenage boys on the edge of adulthood. Karri, Pete, André, Akseli and Joni are dealing with same issues as every other young man; fears and hopes for future, disillusions and problems with parents. Henrik Mäki-Tanila has said that some parts of the stories are taken from his own experiences as a teenager, as well as from the lives of his friends.[2]
The film has received mixed to positive reviews. Some critics have not been impressed by the work of mostly amateur cast,[3] while others have complimented Lalli for creating a genuinely honest and authentic portrait of what it is to be a young adult in Finland in 2012.[4]
Harri Närhi of City noticed that the filmmakers are in love with their characters and are therefore making the viewer feel the same way.[5] Tarmo Poussu of Ilta-Sanomat was more reserved, writing that while the film is creating believable situations, it fails to expand them into stories.[6]
On 3 February 2012, Kohta 18 received three Jussi Awards; for best film, best director and best screenplay.[7]