Gold Fever in Lappland
Lapin kullan kimallus

Finland 2000 colour 120 min

****

Drama

cast: Pirkka-Pekka Petelius (Jakob Ervast), Vesa Vierikko (Nils Lepistö), Lasse Pöysti, Peter Franzén, Irina Björklund, Mats Långbacka, Ville Haapasalo, Martti Suosalo, Minna Turunen (Ralla-Kaisa), Paavo Liski
credits: dir. Åke Lindman (also script with Heikki Vuento), music Lasse Mårtensson, prod. Åke Lindman and Hanna Hemilä, DOP Pauli Sipiläinen

A historical story about a goldrush in Lappland. Mr. Lindman got the idea for the film as early as in 1970's. It took this long to finally get shot. Two humble guys goes to Lappland to find gold. They have a brand new map that shows good places to make some money. But the map is fake and when they finally find gold, more obstacles come on their way.

The landscapes in the movie are wonderful. We'll see many fine characters and especially Lepistö and Ervasti (Vierikko & Petelius) are charming fellows. Everything looks very real (the houses, clothes, manners etc.), the whole crew has done lots of work for this. Still, this movie may feel overlong and very old-fashioned.

---