Cast
View All
Ville Virtanen
as Tauno Saarinen
Päivi Akonpelto
as Elisabeth Saarinen
Henriikka Salo
as Naimi Saarinen
Kyllikki Forssell
as Ada, Arturs mother
Timo Jurkka
as Artur, Naimi's ex-husband
Saara Hilpinen
as Tellervo Nurmi
Maria Järvenhelmi
as Jenny
Ossi Lehtinen
as Pekka Saarinen
Mari Rantasila
as Adan piika
Kati Outinen
as Midwife
Lotta Lindroos
as Sirkka
Veikko Uusimäki
as Priest
Crew
Director
- Kaisa Rastimo
Writer
- Helvi Hämäläinen
- Kaisa Rastimo
- Michael Baran
Producer
- Marko Äijö
Reviews
Thematic Analysis
As a dramatic work, A Respectable Tragedy examines complex human relationships and emotional struggles against the backdrop of a period setting that reflects societal issues of its time. The character development particularly stands out, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their own life journeys.
Director Kaisa Rastimo brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 1998, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of A Respectable Tragedy took approximately 30 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 114 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 147 minutes long.
- The film contains approximately 2221 individual shots.
- The costume department created over 165 unique costume pieces for the production.
- Some visual effects sequences took up to 3 months to complete.
Historical Context
- In 1998, when this film was released:
- The end of the Cold War was reshaping global politics.
- The internet was beginning to transform communication and information access.
- Independent cinema was growing in influence, challenging the dominance of major studios.
How This Film Stands Out
While A Respectable Tragedy shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Forrest Gump, which focuses more on action than character development, A Respectable Tragedy subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like American Beauty and A Perfect Murder explore similar territory, A Respectable Tragedy stands apart through its distinctive directorial vision and pacing.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its bold artistic choices and willingness to challenge viewer expectations, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: September 18, 1998
- Runtime: 1h 54m
