Released:
1956-10-05

Overview:
The title of the Finnish film Elokuu translates to August. Directed by Matti Kassila, one of Finland's premiere filmmakers, Elokuu was adapted from a novel by Nobel prize winning finnish author F.E. Sillanpää. Simply put, the story concerns the decline and fall of a once-proud family, thanks to the alcoholism of its paterfamilias. Toivo Makela delivers a powerfully effective performance as the inebriated protagonist, avoiding the usual "drunken" cliches. The overlong running time, coupled with the downbeat nature of the subject, limited the film's worldwide appeal.

Director:
Matti Kassila

Runtime:
1h 34min

Genre:
Drama

• Cast:
• 
  Toivo Mäkelä
  as
  Viktor Sundvall
• 
  Emma Väänänen
  as
  Saima Sundvall
• 
  Rauni Luoma
  as
  Maija Länsilehto
• 
  Aino-Maija Tikkanen
  as
  Tyyne Sundvall
• 
  Rauni Ikäheimo
  as
  Iita