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Movie spotlight

Suomi-Filmin sotilaspila 1

1940
Movie
5 min
Finnish

During the decisive weeks of the Winter War in February-March 1940, Suomi-Filmi produced four War Jokes, cheesy propaganda entertainment, by "those great grins" Tatu Pekkarinen and Matti Jurva. The first War Jokes is from the beginning of February. At the beginning, Jurva sings about the evil eastern direction. "The Iivanas are digging trenches on the Isthmus... Whoever starts with a shovel, ends with a spoon..." The second part is Jurva's bravura. In front of the trench, he performs a foxtrot with a balalaika in a red star cap: "Njet Molotoff, njet Molotoff, you lied more than Bobrikov himself..."

Insights

Director: UnknownGenres: War, Short

Plot Summary

This is a wartime propaganda short film produced by Suomi-Filmi during the Winter War. It likely showcases Finnish soldiers and their efforts, aiming to boost morale and garner support for the war effort. The film's content would have focused on national pride and the resilience of the Finnish people against the Soviet invasion.

Critical Reception

As a short, wartime propaganda film from 1940, formal critical reception in the modern sense is scarce. Such films were primarily intended for immediate morale-boosting and informational purposes within Finland. Their effectiveness was measured by their impact on the public and soldiers, rather than artistic merit or critical review.

What Reviewers Say

  • Propaganda films of this era are difficult to assess by contemporary critical standards.

  • Its value lies in its historical context as a wartime document.

  • Effectiveness was measured by its patriotic messaging and morale-building intent.

Google audience: As a historical artifact of the Winter War era, audience reception would have been tied to the patriotic sentiment of the time. It would have been seen as a vital tool for national unity and support for the soldiers.

Fun Fact

This short film is a rare glimpse into the propaganda efforts of Finland during the Winter War, designed to rally national spirit in the face of overwhelming odds.

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