A Charming Mass Suicide (film)

A Charming Mass Suicide (Finnish: Hurmaava joukkoitsemurha) is a 2000 Finnish black comedy film written and directed by Ere Kokkonen.[1][2] The film is based on Arto Paasilinna's 1990 novel of the same name, telling story about two men, who both have tried to commit a suicide, deciding to found a "Let's do it together"-suicide association to help the self-destructive people to succeed in their goal. The film is starring by Tom Pöysti, Heikki Kinnunen, Sari Siikander, Santeri Kinnunen and Heikki Nousiainen.[1]

A Charming Mass Suicide
Original Finnish film poster
Directed byEre Kokkonen
Written byEre Kokkonen
Based onA Charming Mass Suicide by Arto Paasilinna
Produced byAnna-Maija Kokkonen
StarringTom Pöysti
Heikki Kinnunen
Sari Siikander
Santeri Kinnunen
Heikki Nousiainen
CinematographyJari Mutikainen
Edited byPekka Lampela
Music byOlli Ahvenlahti
Production
company
Ere Kokkonen Oy
Distributed byBuena Vista International Finland Oy
Release date
  • 2000 (2000)
Running time
113 minutes
CountryFinland
LanguageFinnish
BudgetFIM 5,2 million[1]

In addition to Finland, the film has also been shot in Norway, Germany, Switzerland, France and Spain.[1][2] Director Kokkonen also filmed the film as an eight-part television series.[1][3]

The film received a mixed reception from critics. Tv-maailma's review states that the "film laughs at Finnish national gloom as well as the desire to found the association, and the genre is stated to be mixed-strength opera buffa".[4] Arto Pajukallio from Helsingin Sanomat stated that "the film's fun is mainly based on detached literary jokes, for which the actors cannot find an echo base".[5]

Cast edit

There's also Risto Aaltonen, Risto Kaskilahti, Kiti Kokkonen, Seela Sella and Aarno Sulkanen appearing in smaller supporting roles.[1]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Hurmaava joukkoitsemurha". Elonet (in Finnish). Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  2. ^ a b Hänninen, Harto (10 January 2021). "Paasilinnan mustaa huumoria itsemurhan kustannuksella". Yle (in Finnish). Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  3. ^ "Hurmaava joukkoitsemurha". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). 14 December 2004. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  4. ^ AL: Päivän elokuvia. Tv-maailma 42/2012, p. 9. (in Finnish)
  5. ^ Pajukallio, Arto: Elokuvat, p. D 13. Helsingin Sanomat, 21 October 2012. (in Finnish)

External links edit