Da Capo

Da Capo

1985 · 121 min · ★ 6.0 · Drama

Interwoven with scenes that are meant to grab attention by their stunning composition, this biographical look at Finland's violinist Arto Arsi is not so much a narration of his childhood and early years, as an attempt to artistically show what was happening inside his psyche during that time. Literally sold to a master teacher, Sergei Rippas (Tarmo Manni) by his mother when he was still a child, the violin prodigy was forcefully and strictly raised to practice, practice, and perfect his technique. Once an adult, Arsi finds a way to escape the rigors of a U.S. tour and drowns his overworked self in drink, or seeks out one-night stands, or otherwise lets off steam. The tightly-wound spring that has been coiled since he was forced into his grueling training and work sessions -- shown through symbolic images -- eventually snaps in a healthy way, freeing Arsi at last to continue on, simply for the love of music.

Directed by Pirjo Honkasalo · Written by Pirjo Honkasalo

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Cast

Raimo Karppinen Arto Arsi
Jan Söderblom Arto Arsi as a child
Tarmo Manni Sergei Rippas
Rea Mauranen Suvi Ekman
Eeva-Maija Haukinen Arto's Mother
Kimmo Otsamo Arto's Brother
Per Oscarsson Eino
Jayne Meadows Mrs. Thomas
Marta Becket Ballet dancer
Lew Hopson Big Morgan
Virginia Capers Singing prisoner
Eri Klas Conductor

Make it a double feature

3h 22m together

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