The Clan - The Tale of the Frogs
Klaani - Tarina sammakoitten suvusta (KLANEN Berättelsen om Grudornas släkt)
Le Clan - L'histoire d'une famille des Grenouilles (French title)
Der Clan - eine Geschichte über die Frösche (German title)

Available on DVD

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Finland 1984 colour 93min Villealfa Filmproductions Oy

Drama

cast: Antti Litja (Benjamin), Kari Väänänen (Leevi), Tuija Vuolle (Ulla), Soli Labbart (Saara), Matti Pellonpää (Toivo Armas Lehtonen), Esko Nikkari, Lasse Pöysti (Siilipää), Ville Salminen (Grandfather Sammakko), Markku Halme (Aleksanteri), Minna Soisalo (Mirja Andersson), Sakari Rouvinen (Robert Andersson), Juhani Niemelä (Samuli), Hannu Lauri, Martti Syrjä
credits: dir. and edit. Mika Kaurismäki, music Anssi Tikanmäki, script Aki Kaurismäki and Mika Kaurismäki, DOP Timo Salminen, prod. Mika Kaurismäki and Anssi Mänttäri

They were known as criminals. Their women loved them but hated their bad habits. Why they always had to get drunk or act like big robbers. Every man in this family from the grandfather to Alexander the Great (Aleksanteri Suuri) Sammakko (or Frog in English) are robbers. The grandfather is dying in his home at same time when his son is boozing himself into the death. And the grandsons are in the jail. But not all. The family has still one hope: the youngest son. Will he be good?

The cast is doing a good work, especially Kari Väänänen and Matti Pellonpää. The film is worth of watching but it may feel somehow gloomy. The biggest fault for this is in the story. We know in the baginning what's going to happend. It's a bit dull way to tell a story. But if you are a Kaurimäki fan, you'll enjoy.

TRIVIA: Old director/screen writer/actor Ville Salminen does a cameo role as sick grandfather Sammakko. This was his last movie role.

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