Helene (2020 film)

Helene
Directed byAntti Jokinen
Written by
Based onHelene by Rakel Liehu
Produced by
  • Mikko Tenhunen
  • Antti J. Jokinen
Starring
CinematographyRauno Ronkainen
Edited byBenjamin Mercer
Music byKirka Sainio
Production
company
Distributed byNordisk Film
Release date
  • 17 January 2020 (2020-01-17)
Running time
122 minutes
CountryFinland
LanguageFinnish
Budget€2,290,500[1]

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]

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

Reception

The 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

  1. ^ "Helene". Finnish Film Foundation. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
  2. ^ "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.
  3. ^ "Top 20: Helene is the most-watched movie for three weeks". Finnish Film Foundation. 3 February 2020. Retrieved 10 February 2020.
  4. ^ Hiilamo, Elli-Alina (23 October 2018). "Art historian suggests boycotting Helene Schjerfbeck movie". Helsingin Sanomat. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
  5. ^ Liekso, Hannu (15 January 2020). "Helene Review". Episodi. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
  6. ^ Typpö, Juho (17 January 2020). "Helene Review". Helsingin Sanomat. Retrieved 19 January 2020.

Helene at IMDb