XYZ Films deepens Finnish ties with new thriller "The Trip"
XYZ Films had very good reasons for once again choosing Finland as the shooting location for their latest production.
When LA-based independent studio XYZ Films chose Finland for "The Trip," it wasn't just about finding another filming location - it was about returning to familiar ground. XYZ, which specializes in director-driven, smart genre films, has now completed its third Finnish production in four years.
"The familiarity with Finland, the incentive, knowing the crews and the hard work that comes with them, it just felt like it was going to be the best fit," explains Aram Tertzakian, co-founder of XYZ Films.
The remake of Tommy Wirkola's Norwegian thriller stars Jason Segel and Samara Weaving as a dysfunctional couple whose supposed reconciliation trip to a remote cabin masks darker intentions. Timothy Olyphant and Juliette Lewis round out the impressive cast.
The Trip You Wish Never Ended
While Tommy Wirkola’s original film was shot in Norway during the pandemic, the US remake took a different path under director Jorma Taccone. The decision to film in Finland emerged after the production team experienced firsthand what the country had to offer.
"I love shooting in cities that are smaller and feel more manageable," says Taccone. "Tampere has all of the amenities of a big city – fantastic restaurants, beauty, landscapes, and many different kinds of locations in one area. But it has the smallness of feeling manageable, and all the locations are very close. For me, just as a director, it was perfect."
Variety wrote about the production in November 2024 (click on photo).
This initial impression was reinforced as Taccone spent more time in Finland. As Tertzakian notes, "The more time he spent speaking to the Finnish HODs and crew, and obviously heading out to Finland to scout and get familiar, the more he started falling in love with the Finnish vibe."
The production, shot entirely in the Tampere region, proved to be more than just a filming experience for the cast.
"All four of the principal cast stressed to me that they would definitely work in Finland again if the opportunity presented itself," Tertzakian notes.
The Finnish approach to production schedules made a lasting impression on both the cast and crew. Jason Segel, one of the film's leads, found the structured working hours refreshing.
"There’s something amazing about the working schedule in Finland, which is 10 hours – and then you stop. So, everyone gets to live their life," he explains. "The day is really manageable. You come in ready to give 10 hard hours of work and then you're done.
“You know, sometimes when you're shooting in the States, you'll shoot for 14, 16 hours in a day. People get tired, they get burned out. And I do think you get your best work having time in between the days. It's great," Segel added.
Finland was the best fit for shooting The Trip, according to Tertzakian.
This sentiment was echoed by Tertzakian, who observed how the schedule affected the production team: "For our key cast and crew, I think they felt more relaxed. I think they felt like it wasn't the usual grind. Not that it was easy, but it wasn't the usual grind of a film production. It was a more pleasurable experience with the hours they worked and the way they were looked after.”
A sweetspot for international production
For XYZ Films, which previously produced "Dual", ”Get Away”, and other projects in Finland, the country represents a sweet spot in international production. While not the cheapest option available, Finland offers what Tertzakian describes as "the best combination" of quality control, safety, overall experience, and satisfaction.
"The film industry is very representative of the country - everybody wants to figure out a way to get to a yes and solve the problem. Nobody's sitting in the corner just waiting for a paycheck."
The studio's continued investment in Finnish productions speaks volumes about the country's evolution as a filming destination.
"I've seen the crews get better, I've seen the organization get better, I've seen the infrastructure improve - and it was already a high bar," Tertzakian reflects.
This consistency stems partly from working with trusted local partners. Film Service Finland, which successfully managed the production services for "Dual," has since evolved into Film Service Partners, expanding their operations across the Nordic region. The company returned to partner with XYZ Films on "The Trip," maintaining the high standards and seamless production process that had been established in their previous collaboration. This continuity in local partnerships, combined with Finland's growing technical capabilities and professional expertise, has helped establish consistency and reliability as hallmarks of filming in the country.
XYZ Films enjoys an ongoing partnership with Finnish effects studio Troll VFX.
"The Trip," currently in post-production, represents not just another successful collaboration between XYZ Films and Finland, but a testament to the country's growing reputation as a destination that combines professional expertise with natural beauty and efficient infrastructure. For XYZ Films, it's another chapter in what has become a productive and ongoing relationship with the Finnish film industry.
Deep Finnish roots
XYZ's connection to Finland runs deeper than its physical productions. The studio has built strong relationships across the Finnish film industry, from its ongoing collaboration with Troll VFX on projects like the original Norwegian version of "The Trip" and the upcoming Tom Hardy-starring "Havoc," to its strategic partnership with Helsinki-based fund management company IPR.VC. The recently renewed financing agreement with IPR.VC, first established in 2019, has powered 20 productions over four years, including the critically acclaimed "BlackBerry" and several upcoming Sundance premieres. XYZ also worked on the Backmann & Hoderoff drama series "Conflict", which just won two ‘Finnish Emmy’ awards including for Best Drama.
This growing relationship between XYZ Films and the Finnish film industry represents more than just business opportunities.
“As someone coming from the local film industry, there is nothing more satisfying than supporting the highly talented cast and crew in collaboration with an internationally equipped studio like XYZ Films,” Fanny Heinonen, Program Director of Film Tampere, explains. “Tampere remains a hidden gem in the global film industry, and XYZ has discovered the all-in-one Nordic charm that this city offers.”
The city of Tampere offers a wide array of locations.
According to Heinonen, one aspect that clearly plays a crucial role in attracting productions has been a competitive incentive.
“But what’s even more evident is that incentives alone don’t keep producers coming back. It’s always about trust and the match: Which qualities bring out the best while also providing enough challenges to push to the next level with each new production? This type of partnership with XYZ forms the backbone for the region to attract new high-quality projects, creating a foundation for ongoing success stories."
Film Tampere
Film Tampere, the film commission of the Tampere region in Finland, develops the local audiovisual industry and supports national and international film and TV productions in locating to the Tampere region by offering a 10–15% production incentive and location scouting services. Over the past seven years, Film Tampere has supported 150 film and TV productions, showcasing an impressive track record.
Producing in Tampere ensures both artistic and economic value for audiovisual productions. The region provides diverse filming locations, from urban cityscapes to serene countryside, along with modern studios equipped with the latest technology and English-speaking network of professional production service companies and experts. Welcome to Tampere, the most attractive city, located in the happiest country on Earth!
More information: Film Tampere | Tampere Film Commission
