People in the Summer Night (aka Ihmiset suviyössä) follows the members of a farming community. A mix of rich and poor, young lovers and old cynics. The storylines address class and sexuality with a frankness that would make the Hollywood censors of the time blush. I watched for Nokia (Martti Katajisto), listed as Finnish cinema’s first openly gay character. A sensitive waif who tries blending in with a group of rugged log divers. His attempts to prove his masculinity lead to his downfall. His coming out scene is more honest than anything Hollywood’s Hays Code allowed. Of course, his storyline is the tragic one.
The film was directed by gay artist Valentin Vaala. It was adapted from a novel by Nobel laureate F.E. Sillanpaa. It can feel aimless, despite running a swift 66 minutes. But the tempo increases as it progresses.
Learn more in this spoiler filled recap
A Little Night Music
Scene One: A farm in Finland
CITY BOY: Let’s go to the dance.
FARM GIRL: Okay.
Scene Two: A bootlegger’s cabin
LANDLORD: Sleep with me lady and I’ll lower your rent.
BOOTLEGER: Okay.
Scene Three: Racing through the Fields
HUSBAND: My wife’s gone into labor! I need a horse!
VILLAGER 1: Okay.
HUSBAND: Where’s the midwife?
VILLAGER 2: Helping another baby.
HUSBAND: Where’s the doctor?
VILLAGER 3: Investigating a murder.
HUSBAND: What?
Scene Four: Riverside
NOKIA (A twinky log driver): I want to throw knives like the men at the circus.
BULLY (the bootleger’s drunken husband): Shut up ya damned sissy! I oughta thrash ya!
NOKIA: Go to hell. (Stabs bully. Bully dies.)
NOKIA: Umm… I’ll go fetch a doctor.
COP: Stop right there.
DOCTOR: No helping this guy. He’s dead.
NOKIA: I’m doomed.
COP: Hey doc, go help the lady having a baby.
DOCTOR: Okay.
Scene Five: Jail
JAILER: Why did you become a log driver?
NOKIA: I thought I’d meet pretty men. But everyone here is so ugly.
JAILER: Don’t you mean women?
NOKIA: No.
FARM GIRL: I just kissed my boyfriend! I wish time could stop in this perfect moment.
NOKIA: Quiet you.
Scene Six: A bedroom
HUSBAND: Is the baby okay?
DOCTOR: The baby’s fine. Let your wife get some sleep or she’ll grow old and ugly.
WIFE: That was unnecessary.
THE END
The World’s Happiest Country
Finland legalized same sex activity in 1971. Same-sex marriage was legalized in 2017. It’s now considered one of the most progressive countries for LGBT+ rights.
Director Valentin Vaala would receive critical praise for People in the Summer Night. He had explored homoerotic themes in earlier films but never as openly. The film made a star of actor Martti Katajisto. He won the Finnish film industry Jussi award for his performance as Nokia. It launched a successful film career. The story was adapted into an opera in 2023.
A homophobic read would suggest that the gay character is inherently violent and unstable. That only faithful straight couples find happiness. But Vaala doesn’t judge Nokia. He presents him as is and treats him with respect. The tale is intercut with scenes of rolling fields and rivers. The countryside is celebrated despite its indifference to the stories around it.
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