487635
487635

Laugh or Die

"Humor is a matter of death"

2018-03-16
6.3
fi 103m
DramaHistoryWar
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.

Original Music Composer

Timo Hietala

Director of Photography

Heikki Färm

Production Design

Kaisa Mäkinen

Co-Producer

Stephan Apelgren

Sound Designer

Tony Österholm

Dramaturgy

Pekko Pesonen

dark comedy island prison finnish civil war

Status

Released

Budget

$1,900,000

Countries

  • Finland
  • Sweden

Companies

  • Ljudbang
  • Inland Film Company