The no-frills, strictly-basics artist portrait Salama had its premiere when the author of Juhannustanssit turned fifty – and commemorates now, on this year’s Art Town Film Festival, the writer’s 90th birthday in October. Less than one hour of duration and only a few, considered departures from the strict interview format are sufficient to draw a sharp image of both man and his times. In the calm landscapes of Pispala, subjects under discussion are the meaning and decline of Socialism, the anguish resulting from the blasphemy trials and the power of cinema over theatre. The interviewer and obligatory chainsmoker is Timo Harakka, the upstart reporter who published the book S – markiisi de Salaman vuodet at just over 20 years old, blowing disdainful swirls of smoke right in the face of the literary authority of the times, Pekka Tarkka. (Petteri Kalliomäki)
Language: Finnish, no subtitles
In the presence of Milla Peltonen (chair of the Hannu Salama Society)