Figure 1.--The photo shows some members of the Koskela family, a crofter familu, being received by the pastor and his family. The costuming depicts the socio-economic condition of the two famolies in a classic manner. Perhaps stereotypical, but actually realistical. This is the sort of thing that the Soviets like to see in films. The author lost his father at an early age and his mother struggled. He was only able to complete 6 years of primary school. .

Beneath the North Star' (Täällä Pohjantähden alla) is is a another Finnish classic, based on a triolgy by Väinö Linna of the same title (1968). Linna served on the Easrern Front with the Finnish Army in the Continuation War (1941-44). He had not lterary trainung and only a primary education. He wrote about his ecpoeriences in na realistic manner. The critics gated him, but the public bought his books. The film version follows the first two volumes of Linna's trilogy. The third volume was later adapted into a film ntitled 'Akseli and Elina' (1970). The film 1968 version was also directed by Laine. It shows the Finnish Civil War from the perspective of the Red Guards fighting to impose Bolshevik rule. The film appeared as Finland was breaking away from the Soviet orbit. Some but not all of the film's content would appeal to Soviet censors, but the film was entered in the Sixth International Moscow Film Festival. The movie starts with the beginning of the the Koskela family croft (rented farm) (1880). It focuses on the Koskela family and their neigbots in fictional Pentinkulma village. The central theme is the precarious condition of the rofters and their effots to improve their lives. The author touches on the various segments of the population, lncluding the poor whose living standaeds were worse than those of the crofters. The story of the film goes all the way to independence (1917) the Finnish Civil War between the Red Guards (Crofters) and the Whites (Government).

Created: 1:37 AM 3/9/2021
Last updated: 1:37 AM 3/9/2021