Helene is a 2020 Finnish historical drama film directed by Antti Jokinen. The film stars Laura Birn as the titular Finnish painter Helene Schjerfbeck. It is based on the Rakel Liehu’s Runeberg Prize-winning novel of the same name, adapted for the screen by Jokinen and Marko Leino.[2]
| Helene | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Antti Jokinen |
| Written by |
|
| Based on | Helene by Rakel Liehu |
| Produced by |
|
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Rauno Ronkainen |
| Edited by | Benjamin Mercer |
| Music by | Kirka Sainio |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Nordisk Film |
Release date |
|
Running time | 122 minutes |
| Country | Finland |
| Language | Finnish |
| Budget | €2,290,500[1] |
The film was released on 17 January 2020 and became the most-watched movie in Finland for three consecutive weeks, attracting over 100,000 viewers within its first two weeks.[3]
Cast
edit- Laura Birn as Helene Schjerfbeck
- Johannes Holopainen as Einar Reuter
- Krista Kosonen as Helena Westermarck
- Pirkko Saisio as Olga Schjerfbeck
- Eero Aho as Magnus Schjerfbeck
- Jarkko Lahti as Gösta Stenman
- Saana Koivisto as Tyra Arp
Reception
editThe decision to produce the film in Finnish rather than Swedish, the primary language of its historical subjects, sparked some debate. Art historian Pontus Kyander suggested boycotting the film due to the language choice.[4]
Episodi magazine praised Laura Birn's performance, Rauno Ronkainen’s cinematography, and Kirka Sainio's music.[5] However, some critics, such as Juho Typpö of Helsingin Sanomat, noted the film lacked dramatic and lighter elements, and felt its depiction of Schjerfbeck's inner struggles was incomplete.[6]
References
edit- ^ "Helene". Finnish Film Foundation. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
- ^ "Antti J. Jokinen's film Helene depicts the life and love of painter Helene Schjerfbeck – starring Laura Birn and Johannes Holopainen". Nordisk Film Finland. 12 October 2018. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
- ^ "Top 20: Helene is the most-watched movie for three weeks". Finnish Film Foundation. 3 February 2020. Retrieved 10 February 2020.
- ^ Hiilamo, Elli-Alina (23 October 2018). "Art historian suggests boycotting Helene Schjerfbeck movie". Helsingin Sanomat. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
- ^ Liekso, Hannu (15 January 2020). "Helene Review". Episodi. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
- ^ Typpö, Juho (17 January 2020). "Helene Review". Helsingin Sanomat. Retrieved 19 January 2020.