Saimaa-ilmiö movie poster

Saimaa-ilmiö (English: The Saimaa Gesture / Swedish: Saimen-fenomenet) is a Finnish documentary film by Aki and Mika Kaurismäki about the concert tour of Juice Leskinen Slam, Hassisen Kone, and Eppu Normaali on Lake Saimaa in the summer of 1981.

The film was shot over the course of eight days in the old inland waterway vessel s/s Heinävesi, as well as at concerts held in Lappeenranta, Mikkeli, Savonlinna, Kuopio, Heinävesi, Punkaharju, and Joensuu.

Saimaa-ilmiö is considered to be the first rock documentary made in Finland and has since achieved cult classic status. The film was co-directed by Aki Kaurismäki and Mika Kaurismäki, and it marked Aki Kaurismäki’s directorial debut.