The Finnish national epic, the Kalevala, has inspired our country’s artists across all fields since its publication, but in the world of cinema, the path they have trodden has been rocky and complex. A comprehensive adaptation of such a major work is difficult to fit within the framework of a film, and Antti J. Jokinen and his team made an excellent decision by focusing their own magnum opus on the character of Kullervo.
Jokinen’s film shows how classic narrative material adapts to the needs of different eras without losing its core. The fairytale-like, playful side of the Kalevala has been left for other authors to explore, as Kullervo’s story plunges into the past with a gritty, dirty, and sharp grip. By focusing on only a limited number of characters, primarily Kullervo, played by Elias Salonen, and Untamo, played by Eero Aho, the film is able to delve deeper into their psychology. The stunning visual canvas grows into a production that is also evocative on an emotional level, perhaps even a future classic.
Topi E. Timonen