Stupid Young Heart (Finnish: Hölmö nuori sydän) is a 2018 Finnish drama film directed by Selma Vilhunen.[1] It was screened in the Contemporary World Cinema section at the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival.[2] It was selected as the Finnish entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 92nd Academy Awards, but it was not nominated.[3][4]
| Stupid Young Heart | |
|---|---|
_Film_Poster.jpg) Film poster | |
| Directed by | Selma Vilhunen |
| Written by | Kirsikka Saari |
| Produced by | Venla Hellstedt Elli Toivoniemi |
| Starring |
|
| Cinematography | Lisabi Fridell |
| Edited by | Yva Fabricius Michal Leszczylowski |
| Music by | Timo Naomi Dirksen |
Production companies | Tuffi Films Windmill Film Hob Windmill Film |
| Distributed by | Nordisk Film |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 102 minutes |
| Country | Finland |
| Language | Finnish |
Plot
editPregnant teen Kiira and her boyfriend Lenni struggle to make ends meet. Further complications arise when Lenni joins a group of neo-Nazis.
Cast
edit- Pihla Viitala as Ansku
- Ville Haapasalo as Janne
- Katja Kukkola as Satu
Reception
editBarry Hertz from The Globe and Mail gave the film 2.5 out of 4, stating: "With Stupid Young Heart, director Selma Vilhunen attempts to dissect the attraction a fringe group might offer for the youthful and dispossessed, and while her intentions are noble, the execution is as shaky as the current geopolitical environment."[5] Michael McNeely from "That Shelf" said: "Limited characterization and a static plot prevent the film from soaring."[6]
Michelle da Silva from the newspaper NOW Toronto liked the film giving it 4 stars out of five, describing it as "much more than a teen romance" and writing: "Vilhunen explores real hardships of the working class, and her portrayal of teens is heartbreakingly authentic. Honkonen and Ristseppä give sensitive performances that will haunt you after the final scene."[7] For The Canadian Press, David Friend said, "while 'Stupid Young Heart' ties up a complicated story too easily, it draws some light to how fringe groups find weakness and exploit it for their own agenda."[8]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Selma Vilhunen's 'Stupid Young Heart' Wins Finnish Film Affair Prize". Variety. 25 September 2017. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
- ^ "TIFF Adds More High-Profile Titles, Including Jonah Hill's 'Mid90s,' 'Boy Erased,' 'Hold the Dark,' and Many More". IndieWire. 14 August 2018. Retrieved 3 September 2018.
- ^ "Suomen Oscar-ehdokas on Selma Vilhusen Hölmö nuori sydän". 2 September 2019. Retrieved 2 September 2019.
- ^ Roxborough, Scott (2 September 2019). "Oscars: Finland Selects 'Stupid Young Heart' for International Film Category". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
- ^ Hertz, Barry. "Stupid Young Heart". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
- ^ McNeely, Michael (9 September 2018). "TIFF 2018: Stupid Young Heart Review". That Shelf. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
- ^ da Silva, Michelle (30 August 2018). "TIFF review: Stupid Young Heart". NOW Toronto. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
- ^ Friend, David (18 September 2018). "Five movies you might've missed: Smaller standout Toronto film festival picks". CTV/The Canadian Press. Retrieved 7 August 2019.