Käpy selän alla

Classic of its time & place. Much of it is dated or cringey but the core story is universal & effective. The atmosphere of lazy summers of youth in the countryside, brimming with sexuality, dreams & heartache is pretty much instant nostalgia for all Finns & is captured here in somewhat sensual way. The frenetic visual style attempts to break the dull flatness prevalent at the time which often comes across as obnoxious but also creates a playful, formally transgressive energy that fits the story.

I've seen this movie last time when I was really young, but still I remember lines and scenes from it. To review it now I have to say that it's aged a bit - some of the directorial choises did not look good anymore (quick camera movements or not till the end thought philosophical parts). I hated the singing parts, though the story is ageless. Kristiina Halkola is still hot in here.