The Harvest Month (1956)
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
Writer:
Matti Kassila
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Toivo Mäkelä as Viktor Sundvall |
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Emma Väänänen as Saima Sundvall |
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Rauni Luoma as Maija Länsilehto |
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Aino-Maija Tikkanen as Tyyne Sundvall |
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Rauni Ikäheimo as Iita |
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Senni Nieminen as Hanna Nieminen |
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Heikki Savolainen as Mauno Viljanen |
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Tauno Kajander as Taave |
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Sylvi Salonen as Actress |
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Topi Kankainen as Alpertti |
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Pentti Irjala as Mies saunalla |
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Olavi Ahonen as Mies saunalla |
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Keijo Lindroos as Mies tansseissa |
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Mauri Jaakkola as Ylioppilaskaveri |
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Severi Seppänen as Lääkäri |
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Kaija Siikala as Nuoruudenrakastettu |
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Matti Kassila as Narrator (voice) (uncredited) |
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Kari Åkerberg as Viljo Sundvall (uncredited) |
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Tommi Rinne as Juhlija (uncredited) |
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Leo Jokela as Juhlija (uncredited) |
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Leo Lastumäki as Saarinen (uncredited) |
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Seppo Sariola as Väinö Länsilehto (uncredited) |
| Camera | Esko Nevalainen | Director of Photography |
| Art | Lauri Elo | Production Design |
| Directing | Matti Kassila | Director |
| Editing | Nils Holm | Editor |
| Sound | Gösta Salminen | Sound |
| Writing | Matti Kassila | Screenplay |
| Sound | Ahti Sonninen | Original Music Composer |
| Writing | F.E. Sillanpää | Novel |
| Production | Mauno Mäkelä | Executive Producer |
| Costume & Make-Up | Eila Lehto | Hairstylist |
| Production | Mauri Jaakkola | Location Manager |
| Camera | Kauno Roininen | "B" Camera Operator |
