The severe economic depression in Finland during the early 1990s is remembered by many with horror, but it was not the first financial crisis the country has survived. One example of cultural depictions of depression is Mikko Niskanen's 1978 drama Autumn Is to Change It All. Based on a novel by Ilmari Eskola, the film belongs among the last five movies Niskanen ever directed.

The beginning is rather gloomy: people are attending somebody's funeral in small Finnish town. The subsequent story then reveals who the person is and how things have become what they are. The protagonist is a middle-aged bank manager Kalervo Haapanen (director Niskanen) who witnesses the effects of the economic depression first hand in his work: a local metalwork company is closed and the manager runs away with the money leaving the workers with nothing, the impending communal election is causing political scheming among the leaders of the community and Haapanen's personal secrets are becoming more and more difficult to hide from his wife Ella (Tea Ista) and sons Kari and Juha (Kari Heiskanen and Juha Niskanen).

The visuals ooze the 1970s in an oddly nostalgic way ("oddly" because I hadn't been even born yet): eyeglasses and fur hats are big, clothes tacky and office technologies primitive. A lot of the film looks fittingly bleak considering the serious theme, but for example the Midsummer sequences are beautifully photographed. The general tone of the film also evolves throughout the story starting from the sad funeral prologue, moving on to comedic scenes about an important politician's visit to a local school and eventually turning to the wistful ending that brings out a new angle to the first scene.

Niskanen had proved his great acting skills in his masterful 1972 miniseries Eight Deadly Shots and plays the lead role here excellently too. Kalervo Haapanen's love for his young son and the increasing worries become beautifully evident in Niskanen subdued, melancholic performance, but I also liked the young Kari Heiskanen in one of his first film roles. The kid Juha Niskanen (the director's nephew) is mostly good too in his only credited acting performance.

Despite the reportedly negative contemporary reviews that saddened Niskanen, I like Autumn... alright. The melancholic mood is enjoyable and so are the comedic parts, even if at points it feels like they don't quite belong in the same movie. Those who like Niskanen's subsequent film Ajolähtö a.k.a. Gotta Run! (1982) should check this one out too; the realistic and societal tones are somewhat similar in both stories. I also appreciate the movie as a window to the era when it was made, since I always find it interesting to see how the portrayal of life in Finland has changed over the decades.

Finnish cinema is known for its minimalist style, dry humor, and reflective mood. It often explores loneliness, resilience, and human connection against stark northern landscapes. Finnish films balance melancholy and warmth, capturing the Nordic atmosphere through understated human drama and strong character focus.

Alma Pöysti and Jussi Vatanen in Fallen Leaves (2023)

The drama genre is a broad category that features stories portraying human experiences, emotions, conflicts, and relationships in a realistic and emotionally impactful way. Dramas delve into the complexities of human life, often exploring themes of love, loss, morality, societal issues, personal growth, with the aim to evoke an emotional response from the audience by presenting relatable and thought-provoking stories.

Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)

The romance genre features the theme of romantic relationships and emotional connections between characters. These stories focus on the development of love, desire, and intimacy between protagonists, often exploring the challenges, conflicts, and triumphs that arise in their relationships.

Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca (1942)

Get a closer look at some of Hollywood's perfect pairs.

Hollywood Power Couples

Get a closer look at some of Hollywood&#39;s perfect pairs.

See which big screen releases you can watch from the comfort of your couch.

Theatrical Releases Coming to Streaming

Get a closer look at these actors from their many TV and streaming series roles.

Syksyllä kaikki on toisin

Photos1

Top Cast30

User reviews3

Related interests

Storyline

Did you know

Top picks

Details

Tech specs

Contribute to this page

More to explore

Recently viewed