Onnesta

* Meaning, could be utterly pointless putting this up: Since, having highlighted once before a Finnish film for the April 1st (='Fool's Day) event viewing** for a pointless pastime, means so why not - (miksi ei?!) - this here now, too, on its now ten year's (literally?) gone ** by, making sorta notable time to put up an encouragement to re-discover (disinter!) 'review' of this seemingly 'lost' gem of contemporary Finn film production.

Even more so, seeing that the titling for a film which is from the actual country that has the reputation (assessment) to really BE the "happiest" country. [U. N. 'satisfaction with life' assessment tables.]

As; seen just the once, during a sort of, I believe, premiere way back at a local Finn festival, and even that then only in a sort of hall, and presented only through a DVD (possibly Blu-Ray)? - well, certainly NOT celluloid - 'projection' onto free standing large flat screen tv monitor; with about (only) a dozen other 'wanderer-ins' watched along with me (although by end, only me) = never ever found or seen again, so I can only record that first impression time, in that, at that end, being the last there to see it through to its credits, was so pleased had persevered, coz left feeling this was the best Finn film I'd ever seen.

Now, knowing a few cine and fest organiser buffs, one of whom, even a cinema - (and actually, the) - projectionist (i.e. The fellah that 'administered' that actual showing), oft asked (pleaded) to seek out to try get a re-showing, but has never occurred, as the director 'Dave Berg' *seems either AWOL, not able, uninterested, disowned or just moved on or .. well, whatever, it's never been around again.

So, I can only share why such positive impact by way of vague recollection in that it had (may have) had a number of film stock / possibly styles (animation intro titles or ..?) but, through which is about the challenges of (heterosexual) amour relationships - probably, presumably, Finnish style and on which, I recall the main female star (Elina Hietla) acquitted herself so well, I think some aspects almost made me tear up. (As in, yup; it really is like that, y'know!)

In any case, having never seen it ever again now in a decade, still I remember leaving feeling it was fab; and not necessarily to the Finnish take on its English title (= 'On Happiness') but in a sort of typical to its home country of production take to it: i.e. Via its famed (or is that infamous?) so called 'sisu', i.e. To endure misery through to find if not 'happiness', then acceptance, resignedness (a bit like the five stages of grief progress; which is perhaps why liked it so much - being a foreigner familiar with that take in its country of origin!)

Oh, and of course, three years after its making, to now, a decade on, this country wins / has been consistently awarded, an unprecedented eighth year running its U. N. most 'Happiest' (!) nation designation, so that with its then rather prescient, apt titling, surely makes it becoming even more reason to seek this out / get it released, available.

Intrigued? (Well, I am; which is why I wanna see it again ... Dave!)

* Well, so, if you do ever find it, I believe I recall correctly, in short: excellent presentation of relationship takedown.

(Odd aside note; it's rated high at '8' here on IMDB; yet not a single, even, 'critic' accompanying review.) Catch it out there - somewhere (Dave?)!

** 'The Woodcutter's Story' as see below reviewed, too.

*** Yup; á la; Led Zep.