Juha (film)

Infobox Film
name = Juha


image_size =
caption = "Juha" DVD cover
director = Aki Kaurismäki
producer = Aki Kaurismäki
writer = Juhani Aho (novel)
Aki Kaurismäki (screenplay)
starring = Sakari Kuosmanen
Kati Outinen
André Wilms
Markku Peltola
Elina Salo
music = Anssi Tikanmäki
cinematography = Timo Salminen
editing = Aki Kaurismäki
released = flagicon|Germany February 13, 1999 (Berlin International Film Festival)
flagicon|Finland February 25, 1999
flagicon|New Zealand July 10, 1999
flagicon|Canada September 11, 1999 (Toronto International Film Festival)
flagicon|USA May 2003
runtime = 78 mins
country = Finland
language = Finnish
budget = FIM 4,773,394 (approx. € 807,000)
imdb_id = 0158692
amg_id = 1:176591

"Juha" is a 1999 Finnish film written and directed by Aki Kaurismäki. The film was based on a famous 1911 novel by the Finnish author Juhani Aho marking this as the fourth time the novel was adapted for the screen. [Holden, Stephen. [http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/176591/Juha/overview Juha (1999)] , "The New York Times". Accessed August 18, 2008.] The original story takes place in the 18th century but Kaurismäki’s remake is set in the 1970s. It tells the story of a love triangle where a simple peasant woman leaves her husband after falling in love with a modern city slicker. "Juha" is a silent film shot in black-and-white with the dialogue coming in the form of subtitles. [Kirkish, Joe. [http://www.keweenawnow.com/views/kirkish_club_finndigo_05_01/kirkish_club_finndigo_05_01.htm Club Finndigo to present Kaurismaki's Juha Jan. 21] , "Film.com", January 19, 2005. Accessed August 18, 2008.]

Plot

Marja (Kati Outinen) is a simple peasant woman married to her older husband Juha (Sakari Kuosmanen). They lead a very simple country life, spending most of their days farming and tending to their livestock. Marja’s world is turned upside down when Shemeikka (André Wilms) comes to the happily married couple asking them for help with his broken down sports convertible and a place to spend the night. As Juha works to repair the car, Shemeikka attempts to lure Marja to leave Juha and come to the city with him. A hesitant Marja does not want to leave her husband at first but ultimately gives in to temptation after dreaming of a wonderful new life in a big city. Shemeikka and Marja leave for the city but Marja’s dream quickly becomes a nightmare when Shemeikka enslaves her in a brothel.

Cast and characters

* Sakari Kuosmanen - Juha
* Kati Outinen - Marja
* André Wilms - Shemeikka
* Markku Peltola - Driver
* Elina Salo - Shemeikka's Sister
* Ona Kamu - Shemeikka's Woman
* Outi Mäenpää - Shemeikka's Woman
* Tuire Tuomisto - Shemeikka's Woman
* Esko Nikkari - Rural Police Chief

References

External links

*imdb title|id=0158692|title=Juha
*rotten-tomatoes|id=juha