Dir: Jukka Karkkainen
Country: Finland
Year: 2009
Duration: 75mins
Print Source: mouka@mouka.fi
www.thelivingroomofthenation.com/
This fly-on-the-wall documentary focuses on the lives of the inhabitants of six ordinary living rooms...and bedrooms and, in one memorable scene, a kitchen. There is no rapid pacing or handheld camera work here, instead the film watches as the inhabitant's lives slowly unfold, allowing them to speak for themselves.
By turns moving, hilarious and absurd, it becomes apparent as the film develops that these lives are somehow familiar. The trials, tribulations, defeats, pleasures and challenges echo the pathos of our own existence: whether falling over drunk, teasing each other, singing or just enjoying family, the poetry of humanity is to be found here. A gentle and rewarding study of those moments common to us all.
Winner Best Documentary Film Jussi Awards 2010
Winner Special Prize Tampere International Film Festival 2009
Screens with Northern Line