Kello

Klockan / The Clock. PC: Reppufilmi. P+D+SC: Anssi Mänttäri. DP: Heikki Katajisto - colour - 1,66:1. M: Beethoven, Mozart. "Pilvee" by Tuuliajolla Chorus and Juice Leskinen Slam. "Aamuyön improvisaatioita" by Benjamin Oroza. CAST: Paavo Piskonen (Lasse = Lauri Valjakka, docent of sociology), Riitta Havukainen (Marita Kunnas, secretary), Tiina Bergström (Marianne Kunnas, little sister), Benjamin Oroza (Pave, musician), Juhani Laitala (Lauri's school mate), Tarja Keinänen (Ulla Valjakka, Lauri's wife), Jone Takamäki (youth instructor), Matti Pellonpää (honest man), Kirsi Tykkyläinen (woman on train). 66 min. A KAVA print viewed at Cinema Orion, 15 May 2009. In the presence of Anssi Mänttäri and Paavo Piskonen interviewed by Markku Varjola. - A brilliant print. - In 1982-1986, Anssi Mänttäri directed 11 feature films in five years, exceptional in that era in Finnish film history. Kello broke a record as it was shot in two days (although the second day had 30 hours). - The film was crushed by critics who hated its dismal view of humanity. - It starts on the train, where we hear the frustrated monologue of Ulla, the wife of the male protagonist Lasse. In the restaurant of the railway station Lasse meets his schoolmate, now a successful director in an electronics company. On his voyage from bar to bar Lasse accidentally bumps into a young woman, Marita, who wedges into the taxi ordered by Lasse. They spend the night in Marita's elegant apartment. It turns out it's not hers, but she has permission to stay there. It's just for sex, but the sex act lasts less than a minute. Instead, Lasse and Marita insult each other in every possible way. When Marita's little sister and her boyfriend turn up, Lasse insults them, as well. - A bitter comedy of bad manners, frustration and desillusion. Maybe the glimpse of the young ones shows that there might be hope of something better. - This film is quite original. Mänttäri has maybe been inspired by the gloomiest relationship hells portrayed by Bergman. Bergman's films may have encouraged him, but there is no imitation here.