Watch A Patriotic Man
- 2013
- 1 hr 35 min
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6.1 (706)
A Patriotic Man is a Finnish comedy-drama film that was released in 2013. The movie is directed by Arto Halonen and stars Martti Suosalo, Pamela Tola, and Janne Reinikainen in the lead roles. The story of the film revolves around a Finnish businessman named Veikko who works as an engineer in a Russian company in St. Petersburg. Veikko is a staunch patriot who is proud of his Finnish identity and culture. He lives with his wife in St. Petersburg, but he always longs to return to his homeland, Finland.
Veikko's life takes a turn when he suddenly loses his job due to company restructuring. He is forced to leave his job and return to Finland, much to his delight. However, he faces a new challenge when he realizes that he is too old to secure another job in his field.
Unable to find a job, Veikko decides to start his own business. He discovers an unexplored opportunity in the vast forestlands of Finland. He purchases a forest plot and starts a timber harvesting business. However, his business suffers a setback when he discovers that his plot is occupied by a group of Russian immigrants.
Veikko's patriotic fervor is reignited when he realizes that he has a chance to drive out the immigrants and reclaim the land for Finland. He starts a campaign against the immigrants, fueled by his patriotism and xenophobia.
Meanwhile, Veikko's wife becomes increasingly disillusioned by his behavior. She starts to question his excessive nationalism and his obsession with Finnish identity.
As the conflict between Veikko and the immigrants intensifies, Veikko's wife leaves him. The situation worsens when the immigrants retaliate by burning down Veikko's cabin and office.
Veikko's patriotism is put to the test when he confronts the reality of his actions. He realizes that his prejudice against the immigrants has blinded him to their struggles and hardships. He comes to the realization that the immigrants are not his enemies, but rather fellow human beings who deserve respect and compassion.
The movie explores themes of nationalism, xenophobia, and the complexity of identity. It raises important questions about patriotism and the dangers of excessive nationalism. The film is a poignant commentary on the challenges of integration and acceptance in modern society.
The performances of the lead actors are outstanding. Martti Suosalo gives a nuanced portrayal of a man consumed by his patriotism and xenophobia. Pamela Tola is excellent as Veikko's wife, providing a much-needed counterpoint to his extreme views. Janne Reinikainen delivers a compelling performance as the leader of the immigrant community.
The cinematography of the movie is also noteworthy. The film captures the stark natural beauty of the Finnish forests and the stark contrast of the urban setting of St. Petersburg.
The movie is not without its flaws. The pacing of the film is slow in places, and the storyline lacks sufficient character development for some of the supporting actors. Nonetheless, the film is a thoughtful examination of the complexities of nationalism and the challenges of integration in modern society.
In conclusion, A Patriotic Man is a provocative and insightful film that explores the complexities of identity and the dangers of nationalism. It features excellent performances from its lead actors and compelling cinematography. The movie is a must-watch for anyone interested in themes of patriotism, xenophobia, and the challenges of integration in modern society.
A Patriotic Man is a 2013 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 35 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1.