Säkkijärven polkka

1955
1h 19m

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A biopic of Vili Vesterinen, a popular Finnish accordion virtuoso (1907-61). After years of playing by the ear and for free at local country dances in his home province Karelia, he is accept... Read allA biopic of Vili Vesterinen, a popular Finnish accordion virtuoso (1907-61). After years of playing by the ear and for free at local country dances in his home province Karelia, he is accepted at the Viipuri Conservatory to study double bass. Accordion is frowned upon in classica... Read allA biopic of Vili Vesterinen, a popular Finnish accordion virtuoso (1907-61). After years of playing by the ear and for free at local country dances in his home province Karelia, he is accepted at the Viipuri Conservatory to study double bass. Accordion is frowned upon in classical music circles, and Vili is frustrated for having to learn to read music and pick up note... Read all

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IMDb RATING

5.9/10

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See production info at IMDbPro

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9Petey-10

Sakari Jurkka as Vili Vesterinen in a worthy biopic

Vili Vesterinen (1907-1961) was a Finnish accordion virtuoso.This movie shows us him being a poor Karelian boy and then going to Viipuri Conservatory to study double bass.That's not his instrument and all he really wants to do is play his accordion to the folks.But reaching the stars is never easy.Ville Salminen's Säkkijärven Polkka (1955) is a pretty great biopic of one fine musician.The now 85-year Sakari Jurkka was a perfect man for the part of Vili Vesterinen.Marjatta Kallio as his childhood sweetheart Mirja is wonderful.Ekke Hämäläinen as his friend Jaakko is terrific.Santeri Karilo plays Mirja's father.Sylva Rossi is her mother.Emmi Jurkka plays Circus woman.Pentti Irjala is Aaro.Saara Ranin is Landlady.Director's son Ville-Veikko Salminen is Village boy from Ollila.Veikko Linna plays Villager.In smaller parts you can see Spede Pasanen (Engineer #2), Armas Jokio (Circus man) and Leo Jokela (Celebrator).Viljo Vesterinen appears as himself.The movie consists of fantastic music.The title song is heard several times.In this movie we see Vili's life full of sadness and joy.Those are the two things we can find from anybody's life.