The Eternal Road (Finnish: Ikitie) is a 2017 Finnish historical drama directed by Antti-Jussi Annila, based on the novel by Antti Tuuri. The film was produced by Matila Röhr Productions, Taska Film, Anagram, and Film i Väst, and is based on true events. It follows Jussi Ketola, who returns from Depression-era America to a Finland gripped by political unrest, only to be seized from his home by nationalist thugs one night in 1930 and driven across the border into Soviet Russia — from where he must find his way back to his family.
The film premiered in Finland on August 22, 2017, and was later nominated for the Jussi Award for Best Music in 2018.
Quick Facts
| Film Title | The Eternal Road (Ikitie) |
| Director | Antti-Jussi Annila |
| Genre | Historical Drama |
| Release Date | August 22, 2017 (Finland) |
| Composers | Kalle Gustafsson Jerneholm, Ian Person, Panu Aaltio, Tuomas Kantelinen |
| Soundtrack Release Date | December 1, 2023 |
| Track Count | 33 tracks (48 minutes) |
| Award Nomination | Jussi Award, Best Music (2018) |
| Where to Stream | Spotify, Apple Music |
Score & Composer
The score for The Eternal Road is a shared credit between four composers: Kalle Gustafsson Jerneholm, Ian Person, Panu Aaltio, and Tuomas Kantelinen. That collaboration earned the film a Jussi Award nomination for Best Music in 2018.
- Kalle Gustafsson Jerneholm is a Swedish composer and musician known for his work with Bobo Stenson Trio and Dan Berglund’s Tonbruket.
- Ian Person is a Swedish musician best known as a member of the band The Soundtrack of Our Lives, who has also contributed to film scores including The Eternal Road.
- Panu Aaltio is a Finnish film composer best known for his scores for The Home of Dark Butterflies (2008), Tale of a Forest (2012), and Tale of a Lake (2016).
- Tuomas Kantelinen is a veteran Finnish film composer with a long list of Finnish and international feature credits.
The official The Eternal Road (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) was released on December 1, 2023, containing 33 tracks across roughly 48 minutes of music.
Every Song on the Soundtrack
| # | Track |
|---|---|
| 1 | 1931 |
| 2 | Lapua Movement |
| 3 | The Story of Jussi Ketola |
| 4 | The Eternal Road |
| 5 | Leaving Hopea |
| 6 | The Hunt |
| 7 | The GPU, Pt. I |
| 8 | The Escape, Pt. I |
| 9 | Hopea |
| 10 | Working at the Farm |
| 11 | Conversation |
| 12 | In The City |
| 13 | The Escape, Pt. II |
| 14 | The Fields, Pt. I |
| 15 | The Letter, Pt. I |
| 16 | The Letter, Pt. II |
| 17 | The GPU, Pt. II |
| 18 | Dead Man’s Suit |
| 19 | Sara and Jussi |
| 20 | A New Home |
| 21 | A Turning Point |
| 22 | Paranoid |
| 23 | Calm Before The Storm |
| 24 | Soldiers at Hopea |
| 25 | Soviet Border |
| 26 | Interrogation |
| 27 | Building Socialism |
| 28 | Memories of Home |
| 29 | Razorblade |
| 30 | Pigsty |
| 31 | The Escape, Pt. III |
| 32 | Homecoming |
| 33 | The Fields, Pt. II |
Where to Stream
The The Eternal Road soundtrack is available on Spotify and Apple Music.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who composed The Eternal Road soundtrack?
The score is a shared credit between four composers: Kalle Gustafsson Jerneholm, Ian Person, Panu Aaltio, and Tuomas Kantelinen. The collaboration earned a Jussi Award nomination for Best Music in 2018.
When was The Eternal Road released?
The film premiered in Finland on August 22, 2017.
When was The Eternal Road soundtrack released?
The official soundtrack album was released on December 1, 2023, containing 33 tracks across about 48 minutes.
Is Ian Person the same person as “Ian Perso”?
Yes — the composer’s correct name is Ian Person, a Swedish musician known as a member of the band The Soundtrack of Our Lives. Any spelling as “Ian Perso” is an error.
What is The Eternal Road about?
Based on true events and the novel by Antti Tuuri, the film follows Jussi Ketola, who is seized from his Finnish home by nationalist thugs in 1930 and forced across the border into Soviet Russia, from where he fights to find his way back to his family.
Related Reading: Discover more historical drama scores on our movie soundtrack hub, or browse our full streaming guide.