MichaelB wrote:And that ties in with Ligeti's English/ancient Greek example - you'll find plenty of similar parallels there, which are fascinating to etymologists but functionally useless.
I agree with you, sorry if I sounded like a besserwisser.
Here's a quite good but old article about relationship between these languages.
Thanks for that - that was really interesting. And that's from somebody who speaks neither Hungarian nor Finnish! (I do watch a lot of films in Hungarian, though).
MichaelB wrote:Ironically, one of those Finns who spoke Swedish as a first language was Jean Sibelius. Despite his global reputation as one of Finland's greatest nationalists (and probably the one with the most instant international recognition), virtually all his songs and choral settings are in Swedish.
marnum wrote:Yep, 6 % of Finns are Swedish speakers, but 30-40 % of Finnish culture is "Swedish". They got the money and every single one lives happily 100 years.
I just saw Jörn Donner’s Dirty Story (1984). Erland Josephson was good as always. And his daughter Charlotta Larsson was great as well.
The film locations were in Helsinki, but almost everything was in Swedish. There was a restaurant waitress, a laid-out factory worker and some small children who spoke Finnish. Everything with a brain operated with Swedish language. Somewhat funny, that it is the Swedish minority who very loudly speak for tolerance in Finland. Or that's how they make it seem.
I decided to get more of the English-friendly Finnkino Finnish 'new wave' classics (in addition to the Jorn Donner sets). I'll comment simply so as to encourage others to take the plunge into this oft-neglected section of European cinema history.
MIKKO NISKANEN
UNDER YOUR SKIN (1966) is the first of the Donner produced films of the 60s new wave. It is also one of the best. It is a coming of age story about 2 student couples spending time in the country during the summer holidays. The film is witty and intelligent. The DVD transfer is almost perfect. It is certainly the best of all the Finnkino releases I have seen. Stunning black and white photography! A great debut!
GIRL OF FINLAND (1967) is a sequel of sorts. We are now in Helsinki and in the student world of parties and relationships. The world population explosion seems to be a theme here. Most of the same actors appear. This film seems to be a national statement of sorts. 1.33:1 B & W
ASPHALT LAMBS (1968) An excellent small town story of intolerance towards those who are different. The protagonist is an educated man who has a psychological disorder. That is not a problem for him as such but it is what others think of him that causes trouble. Like a lot of Finnish films this highlights the attitude of the general population towards eccentrics or individual types. [The Swedes have this problem as well see Sjoman's YOU'RE LYING (1969)] 1.33:1 B & W
ERRKO KIVIKOSKI
KUUMA KISSA? / HOT CAT (1968) Good transfer in 16:9 [1.66:1] B & W. A dark film but not tragic. It once again shows Finns in positions of power as being inadequate and lacking in empathy toward those who are different. My favorite film of the lot. It is concerned with the education system.
A SHOT IN THE FACTORY (1972) A poor transfer [4:3: 1.66:1]. The film is documentary-like and is concerned with factory workers rights and the class system.
TIMO BERGHOLM: RED RIDING HOOD (1968) The poorest transfer: 4:3, 1.75:1, colour]. A social document of sorts telling the story of a girl who spent much time in a reform school. It still holds up well but seemed average to me.
I'll just mention another Jorn Donner film available with English subs. It is a Swedish remake of an unavailable Finnish film called TENDERNESS (1972). This version is called HANGOVER and is styled much like his Finnish 'comedies' of the period. It is a fair 16:9 transfer with excellent subs.
I suppose these films have been neglected outside of Finland because it was felt they would only be understood within their home ground. This is not true at all. All these Finnish filmmakers are intelligent and talented and concerned with the human condition, a theme to interest all of us.
Excellent report Charal!If you havent done so already,I strongly urge you to check out Finnkino's release of Peter von Bagh's(his only fiction film) Kreivi(The Count,1971)next.It's a brilliant black comedy,sort of "new wave" version of Monsieur Verdoux(without murders).The movie features probably the slimiest ladies man in cinema history,what makes it extra interesting is the fact that leading man Pertti Ylermi Lindgren basically plays himself,in real life he was engaged at least 76(sic!)times!Dvd is very good quality with english subs.
Visited the National Audiovisual Archive (former Finnish Film Archive) earlier this week and heard something interesting. If all goes well, later this year there could be some Finnish silents coming out on DVD . English subtitles might be provided as well.
L.A. wrote:Visited the National Audiovisual Archive (former Finnish Film Archive) earlier this week and heard something interesting. If all goes well, later this year there could be some Finnish silents coming out on DVD . English subtitles might be provided as well.
Two silents,both directed by Valentin Vaala,now confirmed for february 2013 both starring Theodor Tukai(=Teuvo Tulio!)
The Finnish-Soviet co-production Sampo / Сампо (1959) coming to DVD in 2014 and in scope format (I understand it was released in a ratio of 1.37:1 at some theaters). At this point, the feature film will have English subtitles and there will be some extras as well.
Are those production stills though, as I seem to remember the clips I've seen being in vibrant Sovcolor. Been looking forward to see this one for ages - how wonderful that they're doing English subs as well!
L.A. wrote:The Finnish-Soviet co-production Sampo / Сампо (1959) coming to DVD in 2014 and in scope format (I understand it was released in a ratio of 1.37:1 at some theaters). At this point, the feature film will have English subtitles and there will be some extras as well.
Wanted to get this movie on DVD for a long time but all I could get so far ist "The Day the Earth froze", the unbearable American version. I hoped for a Ruscico release but abandoned all hope.
Can you tell me where you found evidence that there will be a finnish DVD release.
L.A. wrote:The Finnish-Soviet co-production Sampo / Сампо (1959) coming to DVD in 2014 and in scope format (I understand it was released in a ratio of 1.37:1 at some theaters). At this point, the feature film will have English subtitles and there will be some extras as well.
Wanted to get this movie on DVD for a long time but all I could get so far ist "The Day the Earth froze", the unbearable American version. I hoped for a Ruscico release but abandoned all hope.
Can you tell me where you found evidence that there will be a finnish DVD release.
Here. If you browse down you'll see "*TULOSSA" which means "(up)coming". Also the National Audiovisual Archive confirmed this when I contacted someone there.
* 2014: mm. Rikas tyttö, Neiti Tuittupää, Sampo, Pohjalaisia, Anna-Liisa, Vihreä kulta
L.A. wrote:The Finnish-Soviet co-production Sampo / Сампо (1959) coming to DVD in 2014 and in scope format (I understand it was released in a ratio of 1.37:1 at some theaters). At this point, the feature film will have English subtitles and there will be some extras as well.
Working within a studio system from the 1920s, Finnish filmmakers specialised in popular genres until television led to an industry collapse in the late 1950s. A new wave flattered to deceive, but the Kaurisämki brothers earned international acclaim in the 1980s and Finnish cinema has since alternated between domestic crowd-pleasers and arthouse exports.
L.A. wrote:The Finnish-Soviet co-production Sampo / Сампо (1959) coming to DVD in 2014 and in scope format (I understand it was released in a ratio of 1.37:1 at some theaters). At this point, the feature film will have English subtitles and there will be some extras as well.
DVD for Anna-Liisa, release date October 17th. No mention of subtitle options yet but since the DVD of Pohjalaisia / The Northerners has English subs, I'm willing to bet Anna-Liisa will have them as well.
. English subtitles might be provided as well.
