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Calamari Union

  • 19851985
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 1h 21min
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
3.3K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Calamari Union (1985)
Comedy

An exodus to a better life in EiraAn exodus to a better life in EiraAn exodus to a better life in Eira

IMDb RATING
7.1/10
3.3K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Aki Kaurismäki
  • Writer
    • Aki Kaurismäki
  • Stars
    • Timo Eränkö
    • Kari Heiskanen
    • Asmo Hurula
Top credits
  • Director
    • Aki Kaurismäki
  • Writer
    • Aki Kaurismäki
  • Stars
    • Timo Eränkö
    • Kari Heiskanen
    • Asmo Hurula
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 11User reviews
    • 10Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro

    • Photos29

    Sakari Kuosmanen in Calamari Union (1985)
    Calamari Union (1985)
    Markku Toikka in Calamari Union (1985)
    Pirkka-Pekka Petelius in Calamari Union (1985)
    Timo Eränkö, Kari Heiskanen, Asmo Hurula, Sakke Järvenpää, Sakari Kuosmanen, Mikko Mattila, Pate Mustajärvi, Matti Pellonpää, Pirkka-Pekka Petelius, Pertti Sveholm, Martti Syrjä, Pantse Syrjä, Mato Valtonen, Puntti Valtonen, and Kari Väänänen in Calamari Union (1985)
    Sakari Kuosmanen and Matti Pellonpää in Calamari Union (1985)
    Calamari Union (1985)
    Matti Pellonpää in Calamari Union (1985)
    Matti Pellonpää and Markku Toikka in Calamari Union (1985)
    Calamari Union (1985)
    Calamari Union (1985)
    Sakari Kuosmanen in Calamari Union (1985)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Timo Eränkö
    • Frankas Frank
    Kari Heiskanen
    • Frankas Frank
    Asmo Hurula
    • Frankas Frank
    Sakke Järvenpää
    Sakke Järvenpää
    • Frankas Frank
    Sakari Kuosmanen
    Sakari Kuosmanen
    • Frank Armotonas Frank Armoton
    • (as Saku Kuosmanen)
    Dave Lindholm
    • Mies rannallaas Mies rannalla
    Mikko Mattila
    • Frankas Frank
    Pate Mustajärvi
    Pate Mustajärvi
    • Frankas Frank
    Tuomari Nurmio
    Tuomari Nurmio
    • Taksikuskias Taksikuski
    • (as Hannu Nurmio)
    Pirkka-Pekka Petelius
    Pirkka-Pekka Petelius
    • Frankas Frank
    Matti Pellonpää
    Matti Pellonpää
    • Frankas Frank
    Pertti Sveholm
    • Frankas Frank
    Martti Syrjä
    Martti Syrjä
    • Frankas Frank
    Pantse Syrjä
    • Frankas Frank
    Markku Toikka
    Markku Toikka
    • Pekkaas Pekka
    Mato Valtonen
    Mato Valtonen
    • Frankas Frank
    Puntti Valtonen
    • Frankas Frank
    Kari Väänänen
    Kari Väänänen
    • Frankas Frank
    • Director
      • Aki Kaurismäki
    • Writer
      • Aki Kaurismäki
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit
    Fourteen desperate men named Frank, band together to escape from a repressive section of Helsinki. An English-speaking non-Frank named Pekka joins the barroom conspirators, whose avoidance of last names, and any affect, help them outsmart overwhelming forces as they sneak through dark subway tunnels and alleys, hoping against despair to reach magical seaside Eira. The Calamari Unionists take advantage of unending night to venture their intrepid journey. —David Stevens
    finlandblack and white filmblack and whitedistrictcross town journey56 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Genre
      • Comedy
    • Certificate
      • Not Rated
    • Parents guide
      • Add content advisory

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      'Aki Kaurismaki' said in an interview that this is the only film he has made where he either was drunk or had a serious hangover while shooting.
    • Goofs
      The Director is seen in reflection of Frank's (Sakke Järvenpää) sunglasses in "My friend got sick, can you help us" scene.
    • Quotes

      Frank: Let's take a cab.

      Frank: You got any money?

      Frank: No. How about you?

      Frank: No.

      Frank: Let's take a cab.

      Frank: OK.

    • Connections
      Featured in Keskiyön auringon kuvat (1987)
    • Soundtracks
      Alkutekstimusiikki
      Composed by Aki Kaurismäki
      Arranged by Mikko Mattila and Jone Takamäki
      Performed by Casablanca Vox and Jone Takamäki
      Saxophone: Jone Takamäki
      Drums: Kalevi Raittinen

    User reviews11

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    The funniest film of the eighties, really!
    Aki Kaurismäki´s funniest film, the funniest Finnish film, etc. Completely and utterly brilliant. You must see it. Now. Nearly all the actors are (or, were) Finnish rock musicians. The script was written on the run, during the filming. Cast character Pekka is a complete nutcase, only speaking English, lousily. "Are you talking to me?"
    helpful•6
    11
    • prohibited-name-1176
    • Sep 27, 2000

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 8, 1985 (Finland)
    • Country of origin
      • Finland
    • Languages
      • Finnish
      • English
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • Союз Каламари
    • Filming locations
      • Eira, Helsinki, Finland
    • Production company
      • Villealfa Filmproductions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 21min
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.66 : 1

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