The singer Kirsi Sirén, better known as Kikka, lived a short life steeped in substances, and died of a heart attack in 2005 at only 41 years old. The artist, who is remembered for her bombshell image, hit the peak of her career in the early 90s with suggestive songs written by Juha and Ilkka Vainio. She is recognised as one of the best-selling female artists in Finland. The partly fictitious film, directed by Anna Paavilainen, is a reflection of this time both internally and externally.
The feminist film depicts depression-era Finland as a country where men are expected to succeed with their wits and women with their looks – and the sentiment does not seem far-fetched when thumbing through the music magazines of the time. The fever of stardom turns into tragedy as societal attitudes and pressures contribute to the collapse of the artist’s mind and body.
Kikka! is a raw depiction of the dark side of the entertainment industry – no party lasts forever. The tragedy of the film is brightened up by Sara Melleri’s energetic performance and the roaring soundtrack that features a multitude of Kikka’s hits.
Joonatan Nikkinen