Flame Top
This biographical film celebrates the little-known life of the Finnish novelist and revolutionary Maiju Lassila (Asko Sarkola), born in 1868. Lassila's early years are briefly shown, then the film richly details his active and paradoxically reclusive adult life, beginning with his sojourn in St. Petersburg, working as a businessman. Unable to stay away from politics, he caused the assassination of a high-ranking Czarist and as a result, had to run back to Finland to hide. Once established in the comparative safety of a small village, he taught school in order to support his real vocation as a writer. Always living on the edge of poverty, if not square in the middle of it, Lassila continues to avoid public contact - he keeps his identity low-key and camoflages it by publishing under a variety of pseudonyms.
Directed by Pirjo Honkasalo · Written by Pirjo Honkasalo
Cast
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Asko Sarkola Writer Algot Lassila, aka Maiju Lassila, aka Irmari Rantamala -
Rea Mauranen Olga Esempio - Kari Franck Gunnar Avanto
- Ari Suonsuu Kalle
- Ritva Juhanto Kurttuska
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Esko Salminen Arwid - Heikki Alho Pikku-Pouvali
- Tuomo Railo Sulo Esempio
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Yuri Rodionov Rawitz -
Galina Galtseva Magda - Soli Labbart Maria Lassila
- Pirkka Karskela Young Algot
Make it a double feature
3h 56m together
Flame Top
Two Forces
Both from Pirjo Honkasalo.
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