Saara Cantell’s new documentary The Northern Star dives into the twists and turns of acting legend Anneli Sauli’s (1932-2022) unbelievable life and career. The film does not merely browse through the events, but, luckily for us, lets its charismatic subject speak and comment for herself.
Sauli’s acting career began, when director Toivo Särkkä chose the then unknown actor to lead his film The Milkmaid. This role brought Sauli a reputation as a sex symbol. Still, being the Marilyn Monroe or Sophia Loren of Finnish cinema was not without its issues. When the era of studio films ended in Finland, Sauli left for Germany to continue her career in film under her new name Ann Savo.
Later, life takes her to both construction work and politics. Sauli also speaks on the more difficult moments in her career, which tell a dark story of the atmosphere of the past decades in the film industry and in Finland at large.
Cantell got to know Sauli on the set of their film Heartbeats in 2009. Brought to life with plenty of film clips, the documentary shines with the friendship that exists between the two women. In the interview scenes, Cantell is seated on the couch with Sauli, also in front of the camera. Following the conversations between the two is both the most fun and the most touching part of the viewing experience.
Inari Ylinen