Kahdeksan surmanluotia (Eight Deadly Shots)
1972
****
Director: Mikko Niskanen
Cast: Mikko Niskanen, Tarja-Tuulikki Tarsala, Paavo Pentikäinen, Sulo Hokkanen, Olavi Tervahartiala, Kaarlo Wilska, Yrjö Liehunen, Tauno Paananen
In 1969 Tauno Pasanen shot four policemen who had come over to calm him down during another one of his binges. This horrific event lead Mikko Niskanen to speculate the circumstances which led to the senseless act of violence. Pasi is a poor farmer with a wife and four kids. As farming doesn't pay and job oppurtinities are scarce, he numbs his frustration by cooking moonshine and getting drunk. This powerful black and white Finnish film is a wonderful portrayal of old school manual labour and a harrowing depiction of alcoholism. The 145 minute film was shown on television in a 316 minute edit. The long version feels repetitive towards the end but it really conveys the subtle change in the protagonist. The director gives a very commanding leading performance, but some of the amateur actors he has employed in the supporting roles are frankly awful. In retrospect, Niskanen's hypothesis was misjudged because Pasanen later murdered his wife as well.
