Lovers & Leavers (2002)
"Kuutamolla" (original title)

Director:

Aku Louhimies

Writers:

Katja Kallio (novel), Katja Kallio (screenplay),

Stars:

Minna Haapkylä, Anna-Leena Härkönen, Laura Malmivaara

3 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Minna Haapkylä	...	Iiris Vaara
Anna-Leena Härkönen	...	Anna
Laura Malmivaara	...	Laura
Peter Franzén	...	Marko
Matti Ristinen	...	Sami
Mikko Kouki	...	Jukka
Pirkko Saisio	...	Leila Vaara
Santeri Nuutinen	...	Santtu
Rasmus Nuutinen	...	Tintti
Valtteri Roiha	...	Gestalt Psychologist
Veeti Kallio	...	Mikko (as Veeti)
Heikki Kujanpää	...	Jari
Mervi Takatalo	...	Liisa
Linda Zilliacus	...	Ilona
Nicke Lignell	...	Olli (as Niclas Lignell)

Storyline

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Plot Keywords:

insomnia | male nudity | tango | male frontal nudity | sex | 

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Details

Official Sites:

MRP Matila & Röhr Productions [fi] trailer (Quick Time, Real Player) (Finnish)

Country:

Finland

Language:

Finnish

Release Date:

1 February 2002 (Finland)

Also Known As:

Lovers & Leavers

Filming Locations:

Buenos Aires, Federal District, Argentina

Box Office

Budget:

FIM 7,400,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Matila Röhr Productions (MRP)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

117 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Black and White Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Heikki Vihinen, leader of the theater of the city of Tampere and part of a comedy group called Kummeli, agreed to do his role only if he could be completely naked. He is the man Iris finds in the bathroom after her mothers party. This also ruined the movies changes of getting a release in the USA because of the male full frontal nudity.

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Connections

Featured in Kurkistus Kuutamolla-elokuvaan (2002)

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Soundtracks

"Northernplayalistic"
Written by Petteri Kankkunen and Rauli Eskolin
Performed by Supperheads
Spinefarm records

User Reviews

A film with flair and attitude

This film is about Iiris, a young woman who works in a bookstore, loves movies, and can quote lines from "Taxi Driver" like second nature who is satisfied with her life and being alone. She meets an aspiring film maker, Marko, who loves movies just as much as her and they hit it off great. But she soon finds out that love is not like in the movies-- and true feelings don't always run deep.

Defunct relationships are shown, and true love is strongly doubted in this film. Her dilemmas are very realistic and this film shows the true side of relationships. Although this film can cater to the views of bitter and cynical people, it is a harsh view of love, and what it brings. I myself am glad the film can counter the trite and clichéd with new and different. The cinematography uses time-lapse photography, the hand-held camera effect at times, and many jump cuts, making the film itself very interesting to watch. Although some criticize it for being too long, I think the length is necessary to show the feelings of the characters and the changes that take place. The end of the film could have a couple of interpretations, but you will just have to see the film and decide for yourself.