Over fifty years after its release, Burrball (Takiaispallo), directed by Veli-Matti Saikkonen and written by Kerttu-Kaarina Suosalmi, still feels modern. Some details or attitudes may now seem unfathomable, but the core of Burrball still feels fresh. At this core are the performances of Tapio Hämäläinen as the father and manager of a factory, and especially teenage actor Terhi Panula as the teenage daughter of the family.
They are archetypes on whose shoulders the depiction of the nuclear family and the pressures of change for the Finnish way of life successfully lies. The other characters also feel fleshed out; their individual and personal tragedies as well as their guilt or innocence are not veered away from. It does not take long, however, for Burrball to begin to touch on the concept of societal structures. This feels particularly fresh and topical in the year 2023.
Kirka guest stars in a role not much affected by his stardom. In an almost starring role is the music of Eero Koivistoinen. It bears repeating, however, that what brings it all together is Terhi Panula’s performance, which personifies youthfulness and change. (V-MH)