"Concrete Night" (Betoniyö) at 26th PSIFF

One of my favorite films at this year's festival was undoubtedly 'Concrete Night' (Betoniyö), 2013, by Finnish director Pirjo Honkasalo. Stunningly shot in black and white, this noir anti-coming-of-age story is about a 14-year-old, Simo, who prematurely becomes a tormented young man overnight.

While most young adults the same age are enjoying the carefree life of high-school, friends and the opposite sex, Simo faces the dark side of life through a series of escalated traumatizing events- his brother's last night before going to prison, attempted molestation by a perverted neighbor, a psychotic mother, the ambiance of a dark concrete city jungle- that jolt him into impulsive acts that affect himself and his family forever. -Vanessa McMahon

View trailer here: http://vimeo.com/71820702

Concrete Night Betoniyö Finland, 2013, 96 Minute Running Time Additional Countries: Sweden, Denmark Topics: Drama, Woman Director Program: Awards Buzz Language: Finnish English Sub-Titles

Awards: International Jury award for Best feature film, Pula Film Festival

Film summary: "Shot in stunning black-and-white, Concrete Night is a dream-like odyssey through Helsinki over the course of one night. Simo, a 14-year-old boy and his older brother Ilkka are the sons of a helpless and unpredictable single mother. Their chaotic home is located deep in the heart the capital’s concrete jungle. Ilkka has one day of freedom left before starting his prison sentence, and at their mother’s urging the two brothers roam the city together.  “Adapted from Pirkko Saisio’s 1980 cult novel, which we see sitting on a shelf at one point, this film is billed as having been updated to the present, but really it could be set at any time in the past century. […] A powerful piece of work, beautifully depicted…There isn't a single misjudged note among the performances. With its simple story and complex underlying themes, this is an intelligently delivered film deserving of a wide audience.” -Jennie Kermode, Eye for Film. Winner: 6 Jussi Awards; Best Film, Pula Film Festival.

DIRECTOR: Pirjo Honkasalo Producer: Mark Lwoff, Misha Jaari Editor: Nils Pagh Andersen Screenwriter: Pirjo Honkasalo, Pirkko Saisio Cinematographer: Peter Flinckenberg Music: Karl Frid, Pär Frid Principal Cast: Johannes Brotherus, Jari Virman, Juhan Ulfsak, Anneli Karppinen, Alex Anton Filmography: Fire-Eater (1998) Da Capo (1985) 250 Grams (1983) Flame Top (1980) Documentaries: Seitti (2009) The 3 Rooms of Melancholia (2004) Print Source: AFI Silver Theatre

-Edited by Vanessa McMahon-