Big-screen treatment of a controversial Finnish preacher who claimed she could communicate with the dead

Maria's Paradise

Source: Toronto Film Festival

‘Maria’s Paradise’

Dir: Zaida Begroth. Finland, Estonia. 2019. 110 mins

True events are smoothly shaped into an intriguing, well-heeled period drama in Maria’s Paradise (Marian paratiisi). The story of charismatic Finnish cult leader, the “sleeping preacher” Maria Åkerblom, and one of her admirers is the springboard for an engrossing exploration of the tensions between blind faith and the hunger for independence. The confident storytelling and polished craftsmanship should ensure a welcome at festivals and markets where Åkerblom’s story is known, although it may prove a little too languid and measured to make its presence felt in a wider theatrical arena.

A fictional imagining of real events

Topped and tailed by blurry black and white images of the real Åkerblom, who died in 1981, Maria’s Paradise points out that it is a fictional imagining of real events. Dubbed the “Angel Of Heaven”, Akerblom (Pihla Viitala) gained renown as someone who could communicate with the dead and receive messages from God in her sleep. By 1927, she has moved to a vast country estate in Kokkola, Finland were she presides over a community of followers. There are echoes of The Handmaid’s Tale or Midsommar in a rural retreat with its own rules and rituals. Initially, it seems as if director Zaida Begroth is intent on immersing us in the gothic trappings of the location. The shadowy corridors, glowing candlelight and eerie silences all add to the sense of an old dark house where anything could happen. The ominous throb of Timo Kaukolpami and Tuomo Puranen’s score encourages us to anticipate trouble in paradise.

Instead, Bergroth and screenwriters Anna Viitala and Jan Forsström place the emphasis on the changing dynamic between two women. The orphaned teenager Salome (Satu-Tuuli Karhu) is one of Maria’s most fervent admirers. She worships Maria as a surrogate mother and alluringly bohemian figure who looks like “some foreign movie star”. Maria’s extravagant wardrobe, Louise Brooks-style bob and cigarette holder make her seem like the embodiment of Jazz Age glamour. By contrast, Salome is a sheltered, innocent, who dresses plainly and never questions the world around her. Satu-Tuuli Karhu plays her with a wide-eyed look of unconditional devotion. The mere fact of bring chosen to brush Maria’s hair is enough to make her beam with pleasure.

Throughout the film, we learn of the life that Maria had built for herself with partner Eino (Tommi Korpela) and how it is based on foundations that are only likely to crumble. There seems little doubt that Maria is a charlatan but she seems able to fool most of her followers most of the time. She merely has to mention the inconvenience of her detractors to spark events that lead to a trial for attempted murder.

Maria’s fall is witnessed most acutely through the disillusion of Salome who finds a friend in 17 year-old streetwalker Marin (Saga Sarkola). When Marin is attacked she comes to Salome for help and is accepted by the community. It is Marin’s fresh perspective, affection and companionship that slowly open Salome’s eyes to how deluded she may have been.

Sensitively handled in the way it avoids sensationalism or melodrama, Maria’s Paradise never allows us to fully understand who Maria was or why she did what she did. Salome is a more fully realised, sympathetic figure and that creates a sense of imbalance in a story that is well-crafted and well-rounded without becoming entirely satisfying.

Production Companies: Komeetta, Stellar Film , Kaiho Republic

International sales: Level K lauren@levelk.dk

Producers: Daniel Kuitunen, Kaisla Viitala

Screenplay: Anna Viitala, Jan Forsström

Production design: Jaagup Roomet

Editing: Samu Heikkila

Cinematography: Hena Blomberg

Music: Timo Kaukolpami, Tuomo Puranen

Main cast: Phila Viitala, Satu-Tuuli Karhu, Saga Sarkola, Tommi Korpela

 

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Waiting For The Barbarians - Dir. Ciro Guerra 

Gloria Mundi -  Dir. Robert Guéndiguian - NB Have seen, and it’s good

Guest Of Honour - Dir. Atom Egoyan - Have also seen, and liked it - but I’ve been Atom apologist for you over last few films that no-one else liked, so you may want to go with s’one else

About Endlessness - Dir. Roy Andersson

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Out Of Competition (fiction)

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Out of Competition (non-fiction)

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Horizons

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VENICE DAYS

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