Abandoned Houses (Hylätyt Talot, Autiot Pihat)
| Original Title | HYLÄTYT TALOT, AUTIOT PIHAT
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| Swedish Title | ÖVERGIVNA HUS
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| Language | Finnish
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| Duration | 104 mins
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| Released | 2000
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| Production Company | Jörn Donner Productions
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| Director | Lauri Törhönen
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| Based on a novel by | Laila Hietamies
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| Cinematographer | Robert Nordström
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| Cast | Jonna Järnefelt, Mats Långbacka, Sari Puumalainen, Carl-Kristian Rundman.
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| Also available as a series | 3 x 45 mins
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A Film Produced by
JÖRN DONNER
“GRAND PRIX for Best Feature Film”
“SPECIAL MENTION for Best Original Soundtrack”
Mar del Plata Film Festival 2001, Argentina
Story:
ABANDONED HOUSES is a story about love in the shadow of war. It is 1944 and the place is Karelia in eastern Finland. Finland is at war with Russia.
Martta, a teacher, is pregnant by her boyfriend Aarne, Captain in the Finnish army. They arrange a quick wedding as the Russians are starting a major offensive. Then he has to leave.
The farm where Martta is staying with her in-laws has to be abandoned. They have to flee. The long and dangerous exodus of the Karelian people has begun.
By pure coincidence Martta and a woman friend, Heimi Elisa, are both being caught up in the town of Viborg at the same time as the Russians are approaching…………….
This is not a film about war as such, but rather two love stories set against a background of war.