SISU
If you’ve seen this film, you already know. You ALREADY KNOW!
I went in without knowing much about the premise or production, other than hearing that it was a surprise hit in 2023. So, you see, I was not aware that it was a sensational Nordic-Samurai-bloodbath in which I would cheer and laugh, loudly, in both awe and horror.
The word “sisu” in Finnish means “go”, “spunk”, “perseverance”, “pluck”, “grit”, “guts”, or “balls.” And boy does our hero, Aatami Korpi, fit the bill. A wind-whipped, rugged Korpi starts the film; he’s digging for gold in Finland, strikes it rich, then makes his way with his horse and loyal pup to cash in on his fortune.
Because it’s during the Lapland War (1944), and because this is a blog about war movies, he runs into a Waffen-SS platoon led by Obersturmführer Bruno Helldorf, who is raping and pillaging his way through Finland. At first Helldorf doesn’t pay any attention to Korpi, but a second platoon takes notice and… well, in the immortal words of Andy Dwyer in Parks & Rec (describing Rambo during the credits; s4e20), “it does not go well!”
The spoiler alert you were waiting for (don’t you act like you didn’t want to know going in): https://www.facebook.com/sisumovieofficial/videos/178636341741611/
So, in researching what kind of sandwich I could make to fulfill the destiny of this blog post, I found quite a few really hearty meat options. I don’t eat meat, unless we’re counting fish (which some of you do, I get it!), so I kept hunting. And then I found Sandwich Tribunal’s post on Finnish Ruisleipä.
The site goes into detail about how, in 2017, Finland overwhelmingly voted for “rye” as the national food — pretty sure that wasn’t the first time rye won — as well as the structure of the grain and how to bake your own loaf. And, of course, a site named “Sandwich Tribunal” is definitely going to have a sandwich! The author, Jim Behymer, tries out various different recipes including ones with eggs, herring in aspic, mushrooms and cream, ham…
But the one I was most interested in to pair with Sisu was ”a full open sandwich, with smoked salmon, cucumber, tomato, onion, a sprig of dill and a squirt of lemon juice” (which is the source of the hero image above, btw).
I’m sure you’re thinking it’s much like a bagel & lox in New York, but I do think the use of rye elevates it from brunch to lunch, and one with a particularly Nordic flavor.
Ingredients:
Rye Sourdough bread (esp a Nordic variety such as Amest Eesti Pagar Rehe Pocket if you can find it); buttered
Smoked Salmon (dealer’s choice; in Texas, I suggest HEB)
A good cucumber, sliced (I prefer Persian cucumbers lately)
Red onion (couple swirls depending on your preference)
Sliced tomato (this gets weird bc tomatoes are really not in season in February, so I would suggest Roma)
Sprigs of dill to flavor & garnish
Don’t forget a good ass-kicking of Nazis!
Resources:
Sandwich Tribunal: Ruisleipä (both recipe and image)
”Don’t worry, the dog lives” Facebook Post
Google Translate: Sisu (Finnish to English)
Wikipedia: Sisu
