The Song of the Blood-Red Flower (1971 film)

The Song of the Blood-Red Flower (Finnish: Laulu tulipunaisesta kukasta) is a 1971 Finnish romance and drama film, and the fifth adaptation of Johannes Linnankoski's 1905 novel of the same name. Film tells the story of a glib log driver Olof Koskela, who keeps sowing his wild oats, and when the time comes for him to settle down he finds it difficult to trust anyone in view of his fickle past. Film is directed by Mikko Niskanen and it stars Pertti Melasniemi, Marjukka Arasola, Aune Hurme-Virtanen, Anna-Maija Kokkinen, and Marjatta Pasanen as Kyllikki Moisio. The film is the only color film ever made on the basis of the novel.

The Song of the Blood-Red Flower
Original Finnish film poster
Directed by	Mikko Niskanen
Written by	Panu Rajala Mikko Niskanen
Based on	The Song of the Blood-Red Flower by Johannes Linnankoski
Produced by	Arno Carlstedt
Starring	Pertti Melasniemi Marjukka Arasola Aune Hurme-Virtanen Anna-Maija Kokkinen Marjatta Pasanen
Cinematography	Osmo Harkimo Pasi Immonen Arto Kaivanto
Edited by	Seija Manninen Eero Jaakkola
Music by	Jaakko Salo
Release date	29 October 1971 (1971-10-29)
Running time	92 minutes
Country	Finland
Language	Finnish
Budget	366,600 marks

Cast

• Pertti Melasniemi as Olof Koskela
• Marjukka Arasola as "Hawthorn"
• Aune Hurme-Virtanen as Olof's mother
• Anna-Maija Kokkinen as "Daisy"
• Sirkka Korhonen as woman in the restaurang
• Soili Markkanen as "Rowan"
• Marjatta Pasanen as Kyllikki Moisio
• Regina Pekkola as "Clematis"
• Marjatta Saraheimo as "Pansy"
• Marjut Sariola as "Gazelle"
• Milla Vuolle as prostitute
• Leena Åkerlund as Annikki/"Forest Fairy"
• Mikko Niskanen as log driver (cameo)

Sources

• Kääpä, Pietari. Directory of World Cinema: Finland. Intellect 2012, p. 25.

External links

• The Song of the Blood-Red Flower at IMDb