October Belongs to Horror #4: Lake Bodom (Bodom)

Lake Bodom (Bodom)
Don Films, Münchhausen Productions, Finland, Estonia, 2016.

In 1960s four camping youths were attacked and stabbed at Lake Bodom with only one survivor. The culprit was never found. A half century later four teens decide to travel to the lake to solve the mystery. Ida-Maria (Nelly Hirst-Gee) has strictly religious parents and she has a personal trauma. Tough girl Nora (Mimosa Willamo) is her best friend. Elias (Mikael Gabriel) is the cool chick-magnet guy, and Atte (Santeri Helinheimo Mäntylä) is the geek.

Nora

Ida-Maria

Elias and Atte

Atte has a theory about the murder and he has gone into details to re-enact the crime scene. Elias has something other in mind than playing detective. The night comes and scary things move in the woods. When real murders begin, can someone get out alive? 

Murderer murders

There are rare teen slashers made in Finland and even less are watchable (*cough* "Nightmare" and "Nightmare 2"). As a genre film "Bodom" fulfills the expectations well, and couple of twists have been written to the story to make it less straightforward.  For seasoned horror veterans the twists are not too surprising, but are there to make things more interesting for casual horror audiences. There is also a thrilling scene of vehicular horror. Atmospheric cinematography and murky ambient sound track help to create the sinister mood. Rapper Mikael Gabriel plays mainly himself, Santeri Helinheimo Mäntylä's Atte stays a bit enigmatic and the girls make the strongest roles. And no wonder Mimosa Willamo got awards for her role. The film gained some success in international film festivals. Hopefully this encourages other Finnish film makers to experiment with genre films.

Rating: Good

Starring: Nelly Hirst-Gee, Mimosa Willamo, Mikael Gabriel, Santeri Helinheimo Mäntylä, Pirjo Moilanen, Ilkka Heiskanen, Sami Eerola, Otso Ahosola, Ville Saksela, Iiris Kankkunen, Tommi Korpela, Jarkko Niemi

Director: Taneli Mustonen

October Belongs to Horror #3: Army of Zombies (Kuutamosonaatti II: Kadunlakaisijat)

Army of Zombies (Kuutamosonaatti II: Kadunlakaisijat)
Filminor, Finland, 1991.

...And in Germany this is known as "Muttertag 3."

The first film "Kuutamosonaatti" was darkly fun agrarian horror cult film. Sadly the sequel loses the horror momentum and the result is a confusing mess.

Most of the Kyyrölä family died in the first film. Mother froze to death and Arvo burned to crisp. Only animal-like giant Sulo (Mikko Kivinen) remained. Sulo takes the remains of his family to a sauna, because if a good sauna won't help then nothing will. And so Mother (Soli Labbart) and pervy brother Arvo (Kari Sorvali) revive. Arvo is more slack-jawed than before (his jawbone falls several times), but that will heal over time. They can also revive Father Kyyrölä (Erkki Pajala) who drowned into swamp when he was smuggling moonshine. 

Sulo

Arvo

It is time for Arvo to go find a job in Helsinki. Nosy social workers come to the farm so the Kyyrölä's sink them into swamp. There is some recession era satire when Arvo tries several jobs. In Helsinki Arvo gets a job entertaining Russian tourists. A better job opens up as driver of street sweeping machine (therefore justifying the Finnish name of the movie: "Street Sweepers." Finally he starts living by selling moonshine. Beautiful singer Kata Kärkkäinen (former Playboy-model and nowadays writer, artist and media-persona) catches Arvo's eye this time, but compared to the first film the threat is mild. 

Arvo's bachelor pad

Kata Kärkkäinen

Mother Kyyrölä gets worried that Arvo is living a sinful life in the city. So Mother and Sulo have to find Arvo and put him under control As a funny detail everyone in Helsinki seems to originate from Kyyrölä-village (satirizing the movement of country people to the cities). On the way to find Arvo, the Kyyrölä's meet yuppies, inept cops and social workers who all look like Finnish actor Matti Pellonpää. So far so good. Even as the horror aspect was lost, there could have been some funny contrast to the first film when the hellbillies moved into big city.

Matti Tuominen as the leader of Red Guard zombies

Matti Pellonpää as social worker

But the focus shifts and it is difficult to say what the makers had in mind. Father Kyyrölä revives a squad of Red Guard soldiers who were executed during the Civil War. With their leader Edward Allan Kilpinen (Matti Tuominen) the zombie communists travel to Helsinki to continue the revolution. Bumbling around, they meet various people including the Minister of Culture (Miitta Sorvali, who is Kari Sorvali's comedian wife).

Minister of Culture (Miitta Sorvali)

And so on. Kyyrölä brothers sell hazardous moonshine, and cause a ruckus in Miss Helsinki contest (hosted by era's popular game show host Jorma Pulkkinen), chase Kata in amusement park Linnanmäki and escape cops. But the film is basically plotless and the story goes nowhere. Arvo still has some funny one-liners but everything is watered down. It is still recommended to watch once to see the further adventures of the Kyyröläs. However the experience is quite painful.

Jorma Pulkkinen

Finnish Ramopunk band 'Ne Luumäet' made a song inspired by the film with the chorus: "'You shouldn't stare too much at the street sweeper. He comes and kills. And when he kills, then you die.'

Rating: Bad

Starring: Soli Labbart, Kari Sorvali, Mikko Kivinen, Erkki Pajala, Keijo Komppa, Matti Tuominen, Ilkka Koivula, Esa Anttila, Seppo Juusonen, Jussi Tuominen, Katariina Souri, Mikko Nousiainen, Vesa Vierikko, Leena Rapola, Veli Tuomas-Kettunen, Olavi Tervahartiala, Veikko Tiitinen, Jouko Klemettilä, Matti Pellonpää, Juha Häkkänen, Toivo Tuomainen, Martti Kuisma, Anne Nielsen, Aulis Hämäläinen, Pentti Louko, Tauno Karvonen, Miitta Sorvali, Ulla Tapaninen, Jari Järvimaa, Jorma Pulkkinen, Sari Havas, Risto Aaltonen, Harri Hyttinen, Lina Ignatova, Pirjo Kotimäki, Sonja Lindén, Marjo Louhe, Pia Nolvi, Anne Pakkanen, Albena Petrova, Ranja Rannikko, Anne Styrman, Satu Tuuliluoto, Minna Aaltonen
Director: Olli Soinio

October Belongs to Horror #2: The Moonlight Sonata (Kuutamosonaatti)

The Moonlight Sonata (Kuutamosonaatti)
Filminor, Finland, 1988.

Horror was for a long time a rare genre in Finland. In the 1980s tough film censorship comparable to British Video Nasty laws made sure that seeing many classics of genre films was only possible via smuggled bootleg video tapes. The Finnish horror films were countable on one hand's fingers. In 1988 director Olli Soinio made a cult hillbilly horror film in the vein of "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" being a rare example of Finnish horror of that era.

Disturbed Family Kyyrölä lives on the countryside. Puritanic Mother (Soli Labbart) and her son Arvo (Kari Sorvali) keep Arvo's animal-like brother Sulo (Mikko Kivinen) locked in the basement. During the full moon the boys get insane. One night Sulo escapes and joins a gang of wolves.

Mother

Arvo

Sulo

Fashion model Anni Stark (Tiina Björkman) has run into some kind of scandal and gets enough of publicity. Manager Carli (Ville-Veikko Salminen) thinks that maybe vacation on the countryside would be cool her nerves. Motel manager (Risto Salmi) is hesitant to take visitors. But he arranges a desolate skiing cabin for Anni and her dog Ebba. In no time perverted Arvo starts to stalk her even stealing her panties.

Anni

Carli

Johannes

Annis's little brother Johannes (Kim Gunell) comes to see Anni. For Arvo tractor is like a chainsaw for Leatherface, so the maniac chases them in the forest. The local people look only barely more normal than the folks from "Deliverance" and they do nothing to help. Getting away alive from the degenerate village is harder than it seems. 

Tractor from hell

Local hunks

There is no question that the film will mean more to the Finnish audience (it was never meant for international publication). For me it has always been a proof that we can do genre savvy horror in Finland too. Arvo's demented one-liners have become cult favourite's. "Let's do mittens out of the cat" says Arvo when he looks at Anni's dog.

Stylish wintery cinematography and Antti Hytti's creepy soundtrack create an unnerving mood. The dialogue is scarce and for the most part it is monologue of Arvo. Likewise the bodycount is very low for a horror film. Even so the Kyyrölä Brothers are enjoyably demented horror villains. One weird nostalgic event is the cameo of Toivo Tuomainen as a shopkeeper. Toivo was known from electronic store 'Musta Pörssi' commercials as bustling salesman Topi, but here even he looks creepy.

Shopkeeper

Tiina Björkman in the main role is pretty, but mostly her acting here consists of looking worried and running away. Still in the second half she learns to fight back. Too bad her movie career was short, she had roles only in six movies, and she pursued a different career. Other actors Ville-Veikko Salminen, Mikko Kivinen, Kari Sorvali, Risto Salmi and Soli Labbart have all had a long career in Finnish movies, theater and TV-series. For some reason the movie is known in Germany as "Muttertag 2 - Die Söhne sind zurück" (with no connection whatsoever to Troma's "Mother's Day."). There is also a sequel that goes more to the direction of horror comedy.

Rating: Very good

Starring: Tiina Björkman, Kim Gunell, Ville-Veikko Salminen, Kari Sorvali, Mikko Kivinen, Soli Labbart, Risto Salmi, Toivo Tuomainen, Esa Anttila, Masaaki Hashimoto, Juuso Ruohomäki, Arthur Fuhrmann, Kai Honkanen, Matti Kuortti, Rolf Labbart, Jouko Lumme
Director: Olli Soinio

Finnish Independence Day Special 3: Silver from Across the Border (Hopeaa rajan takaa)

Silver from Across the Border (Hopeaa rajan takaa)
Fennada-Filmi, Finland, 1963. 

Based on Esa Anttala's novel about his own adventures during the Interim Peace. 

It is 1941, a time between the Winter War and the Continuation War. Two young Winter War veterans Esa Anttala (Veikko Kerttula) and Esa Wist (Jaakko Pakkasvirta) are trying to sneak across the Finnish-Soviet border to retrieve other Wist's father's silverware that was hidden in the lost Karelian territory. The treasure can't be left to the Soviets! Their first attempt fails and they get temporarily arrested by Finnish guards. After getting free they decide to recruit a third man to help carry the silver, a fun-loving ladies' man named Toivo Paukku (Pertti "Spede" Pasanen). 

Esa Wist and Esa Anttala

Toivo Paukku

They plan to visit their old houses but the Communists have let the buildings go ramshackled. Also the war has destroyed many landmark buildings that they once knew and loved. The trio is always in danger of getting caught. They can not even boil tea without nosy Russians asking why they are not working for the kolkhoz. Digging the treasure up from the ruins is dangerous and informers lurk everywhere. On the return trip they wander in the middle of Red Army war games. Can they ever get back alive?

'Friendly' Russian offers some tea

Rampaging border guards

This film is unavailable with English subtitles. All of the three main actors would later direct their own films. It is worthwhile to note that this was the rare serious role of Finnish comedy legend Spede Pasanen. Well, serious and serious. His presence in the story brings humour to the story, but he can also perform a dramatic role as Toivo is in bad physical shape and constantly a risk to the mission. He also gets panicky and fears that they will get captured. The excitement gets on their nerves but they still stick together. This is quite light adventure with some thrills, bushwhacking, stealthy sneaking and bawdy songs. From the small elements it manages to build entertainingly thrilling climax. It is considered a minor work by director Mikko Niskanen. The 60s music feels often anachronistic but brings also the feeling of men carrying out an impossible mission.

Rating: Good

Starring: Jaakko Pakkasvirta, Spede Pasanen, Veikko Kerttula, Esko Tuomi, Erkki Ertama, Rauno Lehtinen, Aaro Kurkela, Martti Saarikivi, Anja Ahlström, Marja Mosander, Sirkka Nirvi, Max Rand, Pentti Saaritsa, Juha Virkkunen, Holger Blommila, Matti Lehtelä, Ilkka Liikanen, Paavo Kuoppala, Lennart Lauramaa, Boris Levitsky, Kaija Snellman 

Director: Mikko Niskanen 

Movie Review: Love and Other Troubles (Hulluna Saraan)

Love and Other Troubles (Hulluna Saraan) 

Bronson Club, Nordisk Film, Finland, 2012.

Ville Hietalahti (Jussi Nikkilä) is shy and reserved son of aging rock star Taisto Hietalahti (Ville Virtanen). Former child star Ville works as a music teacher and one day he briefly meets an American Country Dance- instructor Sara ("Lost" -star Emilie de Ravin). Ville's bohemian father moves to him because doctor has ordered him to take it easy. 

Ville

Taisto

Sara

Taisto wants to go to a karaoke bar and drags Ville along with him. Also Sara comes to the same bar. When Ville chickens out, it is the daddy who picks up the girl. Both men fall in love with Sara. To complicate things Taisto is chased by Leena (Tiina Lymi) who is an eager fan of Taisto. 

In the bar

In his childhood Ville was alone a lot, while Taisto was touring and now they are trying to fix their relationship. Ville tries to grow out of Taisto's shadow. Also Ronald Reagan's ghost (voiced by Tommi Korpela) has an important role in the story. 

The main actors deliver the comedy with dead pan style. The movie's humour is very Scandinavian style. Jussi Nikkilä's acting style is very low-key compared to Ville Virtanen's hearty rock star. The story has some good moments and nice cinematography. Director Samuli Vauramo's style has been compared to Wes Anderson. However for me the combination of drama and comedy did not quite work as it falls flat and could have been funnier.

The movie is located in a fictional small town in Finland but the movie was filmed in Turku. The movie avoids showing the usual landmarks of Turku, but some streets and residental areas can be identified. 

I know where this place is!

Part of The 2016 Movie Watching Challenge (#32. Movie that is set in your hometown or county) 

Rating: Average 

Starring:  Emilie de Ravin, Ville Virtanen, Jani Volanen, Jussi Nikkilä, Tommi Korpela, Jessica Grabowsky, Janne Reinikainen, Tiina Lymi, Jussi Lampi, Oskari Sipola, Petri Aulin, Leena Vanhamäki, Antti Laaksovirta, Jaakko Paavilainen, Angie Hernandez, Ilona Saari, Maritta Hytönen, Veli-Matti Henttonen, Heikki Sipilä, Väinö Lehtinen, Pertti Räbinä, Sami Olander, Riitta Rantanen, Lukas Rantanen, Jari Hytönen, Seppo Hellman, Eetu Mendolin, Taino Leivo, Merita Seppälä, Ari Jalokinos, Jukka Tuominen, Aarne Kallioranta, Saija Välikangas, Inkeri Tuominen, Jari Pehkonen, Mika Kujala, Viivi Vuorinen, Jarmo Altis 

Director: Samuli Valkama

Finnish Independence Day Special 2: Tali-Ihantala 1944

Tali-Ihantala 1944 a.k.a 1944: The Final Defence

Åke Lindman Film-Productions, Finland, 2007.

The Continuation War, June 1944. Germany has been defeated on the eastern front. The Soviet Union is launching a massive offensive against Finland. The Finns are retreating in the Karelian Isthmus. General Lagus (Marcus Groth) orders a counter-attack. Anti-tank squadron is sent first. The Russians are numerically superior with 450000 Russians agains 75000 Finns. Tanks are scarce and Finns have to seize every opportunity to capture damaged enemy tanks.

In the initial battle general's son Olof Lagus (Onni Thulesius) destroys four Russian tanks in less than a minute. However the troops must retreat. Field Marshal Mannerheim (Asko Sarkola) orders Lieutenant General Karl Oesch (Jukka Puotila) to command the troops in Isthmus. Lieutenant General Aksel Airo (Pirkka-Pekka Petelius) orders fortification of  Viipuri-Kuparsaari-Taipale defensive line.

Lieutenant General Aksel Airo

-Why are there swastikas on the tanks, because of Hitler?

-Bollocks. We used it first. Hitler stole it from us and made the cross crooked.

Majors Jouko Hynninen (Tarmo Ruubel) and Eero Leppänen (Kari Ketonen) are ordered to take back the lost area. Major Leppänen dies in the battle. Initial Russian counter-attacks are pushed back. Despite being wounded Sergeant Reino Lehväslaiho (Marc Gassot) destroys a Russian infantry company using Suomi-submachine gun. After the War Lehväslaiho became a popular war novelist with 45 published novels.

Majors Hynninen and Leppänen

Sergeant Lehväslaiho

In 25 June 1944 Russians start break-through attack near Tali parish village. Volunteer Swedish soldiers arrive to help defending the area. Language barrier makes their Panzerfaust-training dangerous to themselves as they do not understand the warning about rocket launcher's backblast.

Major Heikki Mikkola (Taisto Oksanen) and Second Lieutenant Erkki Teppo (Aleksi Sariola)

The Soviet resistance is heavy and Lagus' troops are getting exhausted. Olof is wounded. In 28 June Lagus' troops are given chance for rest when Major General Vihma (Olli Ikonen) takes charge.

Lance Corporal Olof Lagus (Onni Thulesius)

Radio reconnaissance intercepts Russian message about crucial attack on Ihantala in 3 July. The Finnish have time for countermeasures. Massive artillery barrage and Messerschmitt attacks stop the attack of Soviet troops.

The defensive victory in Battle of Tali-Ihantala and other Finnish victories convinced the Soviets that conquering Finland was not worth the cost. The stakes were high. If the Finns had lost it would have meant occupation of Finland by Soviet Union, the fate of Baltic countries and East European countries. Although the costs as lost men, war reparations and lost areas were high Finland maintained its independence

Rather than being a plot-driven movie, this has the feel of documentary or historical re-enactment. The health of director Lindman did not allow finishing the movie so Sakari Kirjavainen continued. Lindman wanted the film to be realistic and show the sacrifices of Finnish war veterans. Historically it is accurate and honours the war veterans. However the dramatical impact is lessened as there is less focus on plot or characters, rather we follow the operations of small groups of men. Most drama we get from Hynninen and Leppänen arc and also general Lagus is worried about his son, who he had to sent to front line so that he would not be accused of favouritism.

Everyone from lowest ranking soldiers to generals does his duty. Familiar faces from Finnish TV and films get their brief moments to portray soldiers that are based on real-life war heroes. Lots of real museum tanks and airplanes from WW2 were used in filming and also some archive material is used. Maps show the front lines, making the advancement of troops more easier to see.

Some individual acts of courage are shown as when 29 June 1944 Lance Corporal Ville Väisänen (Markku Hyvönen) destroys eight Soviet tanks with Panzerfausts. Also some moments of compassion about the enemy are shown as when Russian soldier carries injured Finnish soldier to safety.

Recommended for its historically accurate portrayal of an important part of Finnish history. 

Rating: Good

Starring: Rauno Ahonen, Mikko Bredenberg, Riko Eklundh, Marc Gassot, Marcus Groth, Johan Hallström, Kari Hevossaari, Markku Hyvönen, Janne Hyytiäinen, Viggo Idman, Olli Ikonen, Tapani Kalliomäki, Jarkko Nyman, Janne Kallioniemi, Kari Ketonen, Pete Lattu, Mika Nuojua, Tommi Liski, Jesper Malm, Taisto Oksanen, Teemu Palosaari, Jukka-Pekka Pentikäinen, Pirkka-Pekka Petelius, Jukka Puotila, Taisto Reimaluoto, Tuomas Rinta-Panttila, Tarmo Ruubel, Christian Sandström, Aleksi Sariola, Asko Sarkola, Fabian Silén, Robin Svartström, Jan-Christian Söderholm, Onni Thulesius, Jarkko Tiainen, Antti Timonen, Timo Torikka, Timo Tuominen, Kasperi Nordman, Riku Korhonen, Ilkka Villi, Tomi Etelävuori, Aku Hirviniemi, Joonas Saartamo, Santtu Karvonen, Matti Laine, Harri Liuksiala, Jussi Nikkilä, Antti Launonen, Janne Vakio, Timo Mann

Directors: Åke Lindman, Sakari Kirjavainen