Levottomat

This film didn't give easy answers, didn't perform unnecessary underlining and is very voyeuristic in depicting nudity. Levottomat (Restless) is quite an existential film, meaning it in the tradition of Sartre and Camus, and has definitely been influenced by Camus' L'Etranger's main character who is unable to really feel. He has lost passion for life, but still feels sexually immensely excited, and ready to satisfy his carnal desires with any girl who indulges in 'no strings attached' sex. The main character Ari, an emergency physician played by Mikko Nousiainen, has no answers. He seems to live in a nihilistic void and struggles with what is ethical - rights and wrongs relating to human relationships. Because of his infinite craving for sex he sacrifices cozy friendships and messes up the lives of a 'sixsome' of 3 couples.

The film has a lot of sex, and I loved the way the actors plunge into their roles. This film is about 'the meaning of life' or what fuels the life if and when there is no meaning to it. The demarcation between 'meaningless sex' that is only the issue of the people directly involved and sex which is encroaching on some third parties' existence was very interesting. When is it ok to cheat and when is it absolutely unacceptable. Ari only refused from sex once, in the case of his desperate, boozing ambulance driver friend wonderfully portrayed by Samuli Edelman being under threat of being left and his wife implying her willingness to sleep with Ari.

The film was written well by Aleksi Bardy, who is obviously knowledgeable of the lives of 20+ Finnish yuppies in a cross-fire of traditional cultural pressures against individualistic happiness and endless search for pleasure. Irina Bjorklund represents a moralist who's notions of right and wrong come from the scriptures. She battles against the nihilism of modern life with her faith and deals with the 'bigger',philosophical questions of existence. Eventually the priest is the one Ari finds most interesting of his numerous women.

A few weeks after this film was released, I had the opportunity to see it in Finland. Although it was subtitled and I don't speak very fluent Finnish, my Finnish friend, Kaisa, only had to translate a few questionable parts. I was very impressed with the quality of acting, directing, and cinematography. It appeared very equivocal to our lustrious Hollywood films. As I was visiting Helsinki in March, it was thrilling to see how Finland looked in the summer.

Being a typical "prude" American in regards to showing televised nudity, I was a little surprised at the extent of the sexual scenes. Luckily, I was introduced to Finland's policy regarding nudity before I saw this film. (Ever been to a public sauna in Helsinki?)

Even without the details of the dialogue, I greatly enjoyed the story. Kaisa told me that this film remains very controversial in Finland as some scenes give a poor portrayal of Finland's modern culture. The main racey scenes included: The bar scene showing Finnish women as VERY forward, and nothing short of...well..sluts; several scenes portraying adultery as morally justified; the bachelor party that ends up an orgy with two VERY young girls (maybe 12?); and the fact that the main character ends up with a female priest that cheats on her boyfriend!! Nevertheless, I think it did a good job portraying the loneliness 20-something individuals feel, even when they are "with" others. I think Mikko Nousianinen (II), Ari, did a great job portraying the mixture of emotional feelings in his position...his several positions.

In closing, I would like to say that this movie accomplished what it wanted to, and I will not hesitate to purchase a copy when it becomes available. Does anyone know when that is? Because I would really like to see this movie in an English subtitled version.

It was nice to see a Mac Ahlbeg film made in the North after all those years. Even though he is not the director of the film it is him one first think of because he made a lot of soft-focus romp during the 70's both in Sweden and Denmark.

Well, for people living in Sweden it is a film which confirm the misconception they have about Finish people: drinking way too much directly from the bottle, bad language and sex-hungry women always looking for a thrill.

I saw this on DVD with English subtitles (my Finnish is very limited).

Levottomat (The Restless) explores what happens when a wild card is introduced into a circle of friends, follow the mirth and merriment as Ari, a young medical doctor, weaves a path of emotional destruction amongst a group of six student friends in Turku.

The period covers a few months in Ari's life: his mother is terminally ill, he is unwilling or unable to make any emotional ties with any of his one night stands, then he meets Tiina... and her friends.

There are many aspects of Finnish life which are seen in this film, the drinking, Juhannus (midsummer), summer cottages, sauna culture etc., young people lacking experience in relationships... all of which are peculiar to the Nordic countries. You also see people in their mid-20s gallivanting around like freshers... Finland is not only a land of the midnight Sun, but also the land of the eternal student.

Be warned, there is a large amount of nudity and sex in this film, which to most people would seem pornographic, really it's not, well not all of it... Finns have a rather unique outlook on the naked body, perhaps due to their Sauna culture.

Well worth watching.

Jeah Levottomat is great piece of movie with lack of good script!Characters in the film are so shallow that it make me sick!But what is great is this movie?Mac Ahlberg's cinematography witch is marvelous!Only Kari sohlberg can do the same thing as Mac did!Also the freshness of the film is BIG plus! And the only good thing in the script that everything can be seen!I hope that Aki Louhimies makes films with better script because he's the man on the job!!!