Salaviinanpolttajat

Salaviinanpolttajat
Advertisement for the film, published in the May 31, 1907 issue of Helsingin Sanomat.
Directed by	Louis Sparre Teuvo Puro
Produced by	Karl Emil Ståhlberg
Written by	JV-s
Starring	Eero Kilpi Teppo Raikas Teuvo Puro Jussi Snellman Axel Rautio
Release date	May 29, 1907
Running time	20 minutes
Country	Finland
Language	Silent

Salaviinanpolttajat (The Moonshiners) is a Finnish film made in 1907. While only 20 minutes in length, it is generally considered the first fictional film made in the country and as such, the starting point of Finnish cinema industry.

The film's origins were in a screenplay writing contest commissioned by Atelier Apollo, owned by photographer and engineer Karl Emil Ståhlberg, who is now regarded as the father of Finnish cinema. The contest was won by the pseudonym "J. V-s", who some speculated was actually Ståhlberg himself, but other sources say he was a local sheriff. The screenplay was adapted and the film was directed by a friend of Ståhlberg, the Swedish count and artist Louis Sparre.

No prints of the film have been preserved so the film can be considered a lost film. The original screenplay has also been lost. However, some plot descriptions are still known based on contemporary newspaper advertisements of the film.

As the name would indicate, the film tells about two local men who are making moonshine in the woods. A customer comes to them, and while sampling the product they start a game of cards, which eventually leads to a fight. While the fight is going on, the local police shows up and arrests the makers while the customer manages to escape.