Laugh or Die

Laugh or Die

103 mins | Drama, War, History | March 16, 2018

Parikka, the actor once called the Funniest Man in Finland, and his troupe are about to be executed for the atrocities committed during the Civil War in Finland. Jaeger Lieutenant Nyborg, an admirer of Parikka, suspects a definite miscarriage of justice. He wants to save the actors. The forthcoming visit of the German General von der Goltz to the prison island provides him with a suitable opportunity. Nyborg suggests that the actors prepare a comical performance for the visitor and not be shot. Instead, they will be given a new trial. Preparing a comedy in the horrible circumstances, in the midst of hunger and death, seems quite an overwhelming task. Only a handful of real actors are still alive, the rest of the troupe consists of stagehands. Parikka has to use all his inventive skills to be able to produce something funny.

Laugh or Die

103 mins | Drama, War, History | March 16, 2018

Laugh or Die
Parikka, the actor once called the Funniest Man in Finland, and his troupe are about to be executed for the atrocities committed during the Civil War in Finland. Jaeger Lieutenant Nyborg, an admirer of Parikka, suspects a definite miscarriage of justice. He wants to save the actors. The forthcoming visit of the German General von der Goltz to the prison island provides him with a suitable opportunity. Nyborg suggests that the actors prepare a comical performance for the visitor and not be shot. Instead, they will be given a new trial. Preparing a comedy in the horrible circumstances, in the midst of hunger and death, seems quite an overwhelming task. Only a handful of real actors are still alive, the rest of the troupe consists of stagehands. Parikka has to use all his inventive skills to be able to produce something funny.
IMDb rating 6.7
Producers Inland Film Company, Ljudbang
Original title Suomen hauskin mies
Directors Heikki Kujanpää
Writers Mikko Reitala, Heikki Kujanpää

Cast

Martti Suosalo

as Toivo Parikka

Jani Volanen

as Hjalmar Kalm

Leena Pöysti

as Helen Kalm

Paavo Kinnunen

as Alfred Nyborg

Vesa Vierikko

as Johansson

Jussi Nikkilä

as Aulis

Tommi Eronen

as Elo

Panu Vauhkonen

as Rautio

Paleface

as Äimälä

Rüdiger Klink

as Von Der Goltz

Anton Kettunen

as German soldier

Marko Pesonen

as Prisoner cook

Jussi Lehtonen

as Hannula

Marcus Hägg

as Ramcke

Petteri Kaukoranta

as Siikander

Eero Herranen

as Lyhytkasvuinen vanki

Sami Ristiniemi

as Luutnantti Winge

Mikko Reitala

as Pastori

Jarmo Kääriäinen

as Svinhufvud

Jari Lippo

as Majuri Juvelius

Ville Vanhala

as Lehtimies

Lilia Rönkkö

as Palvelustyttö

Aref Rezay

as Venäläinen vanki

Joona Mielonen

as Kauranjyviä nyppivä vanki

Snoopi Siren

as Kauranjyviä nyppivä vanki

Esko Junkkari

as Työväenteatterilainen

Miihkali Jaatinen

as Työväenteatterilainen

Henrikki Haavisto

as Työväenteatterilainen

Peetu Kaan

as Työväenteatterilainen

Jaani Kekäläinen

as Työväenteatterilainen

Jaakko Kemppainen

as Työväenteatterilainen

Lasse Kuismanen

as Työväenteatterilainen

Roni Mäkinen

as Työväenteatterilainen

Ari-Pekka Rajamäki

as Työväenteatterilainen

Nico Toikka

as Työväenteatterilainen

Pekka Kauhanen

as Valtiorikosoikeuden jäsen

Risto Kettunen

as Valtiorikosoikeuden jäsen

Mikko Lyytikäinen

as Valtiorikosoikeuden jäsen

Tuomas Guseff

as Haavoittunut vanki

Tuija Töyräs

as Saattajavaimo satamassa