Risti ja liekki
Risti ja liekki

Movie spotlight

Risti ja liekki

1957
Movie
79 min
Finnish

Set in early 16th century Finland, a knight Olavi Gideoninpoika meets Mirjam Raakelintytär and falls in love. Mirjami hides in a monastery disguised as a choir boy, but is revealed by a monk Rasmus, who also desires her, and is put on trial.

Insights

IMDb6.7/10
Director: Roland af HällströmGenres: Drama

Plot Summary

The film tells the story of a young woman named Elina who faces moral dilemmas and societal pressures in a rural Finnish community. As she navigates complex relationships and traditions, she must confront her own desires and the expectations placed upon her by her strict religious upbringing. Her journey explores themes of faith, sin, and redemption in a society where morality is rigidly defined.

Critical Reception

Risti ja liekki was a notable Finnish drama of its time, exploring complex themes of faith and societal pressure. While it garnered attention for its serious subject matter and performances, its reception was mixed, with some critics praising its thematic depth and others finding its narrative somewhat heavy-handed. It remains a significant film in the context of Finnish cinema's exploration of social and religious issues.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its exploration of religious and moral conflict.

  • Noted for strong performances, particularly from the female leads.

  • Some found the pacing and tone to be overly somber.

Google audience: Information on specific Google user reviews for this film is not readily available.

Fun Fact

The film is based on a novel by Finnish author Toini Järvinen, which also dealt with similar themes of faith and societal constraints.

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