[a-p a. niemi]

Boheemi elää (Bohemian Eyes)

Documentary film on Finnish actor Matti Pellonpää. Brilliant.

Matti Pellonpää (1951−1995) is one of Finland’s best -loved film actors with a profound grasp of the essence of the medium. He was also active on stage, in music and in television and radio; he was a true life connoisseur.

Janne Kuusi has created a vivid memorial to his friend and fellow student at theatre school. In the film he meets Peltsi’s other fellow students, colleagues, friends and life partners, including Kari Väänänen, Jukka-Pekka Palo, Vesa Vierikko, Pirkko Hämäläinen, André Wilms and the two Kaurismäki brothers. The archive material forms an integral part of the narrative. The playful and creative film is worthy of its canine-gazed subject: full of emotion, smiles and melancholy.