Flame Top (1980)
This biographical film celebrates the little-known life of the Finnish novelist and revolutionary Maiju Lassila (Asko Sarkola), born in 1868. Lassila's early years are briefly shown, then the film richly details his active and paradoxically reclusive adult life, beginning with his sojourn in St. Petersburg, working as a businessman. Unable to stay away from politics, he caused the assassination of a high-ranking Czarist and as a result, had to run back to Finland to hide. Once established in the comparative safety of a small village, he taught school in order to support his real vocation as a writer. Always living on the edge of poverty, if not square in the middle of it, Lassila continues to avoid public contact - he keeps his identity low-key and camoflages it by publishing under a variety of pseudonyms.
Cast
- Asko Sarkola - Writer Algot Lassila, aka Maiju Lassila, aka Irmari Rantamala
- Rea Mauranen - Olga Esempio
- Kari Franck - Gunnar Avanto
- Ari Suonsuu - Kalle
- Ritva Juhanto - Kurttuska
- Esko Salminen - Arwid
- Heikki Alho - Pikku-Pouvali
- Tuomo Railo - Sulo Esempio
- Yuri Rodionov - Rawitz
- Galina Galtseva - Magda
Screenplay
- Pirjo Honkasalo (Screenplay)
- Maiju Lassila (Novel)
- Daniel Katz (Adaptation)
Keywords
woman director
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Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Flame Top about?
- This biographical film celebrates the little-known life of the Finnish novelist and revolutionary Maiju Lassila (Asko Sarkola), born in 1868. Lassila's early years are briefly shown, then the film richly details his active and paradoxically reclusive adult life, beginning with his sojourn in St. Petersburg, working as a businessman. Unable to stay away from politics, he caused the assassination of a high-ranking Czarist and as a result, had to run back to Finland to hide. Once established in the comparative safety of a small village, he taught school in order to support his real vocation as a writer. Always living on the edge of poverty, if not square in the middle of it, Lassila continues to avoid public contact - he keeps his identity low-key and camoflages it by publishing under a variety of pseudonyms.
- Who directed Flame Top?
- Flame Top was directed by Pirjo Honkasalo, Pekka Lehto.
- Who stars in Flame Top?
- Flame Top stars Asko Sarkola, Rea Mauranen, Kari Franck, Ari Suonsuu, Ritva Juhanto, Esko Salminen.
- How long is Flame Top?
- Flame Top has a runtime of 2h 35m (155 minutes).
- What genre is Flame Top?
- Flame Top is a Drama film.
- Where was Flame Top produced?
- Flame Top was produced in Finland.