Rasperry Boat Refugee at Nordic Nights

A Finnish-Swedish co-production pokes fun at Nordic stereotypes in Raspeberryboat Refugee (Vadelmavenepakolainen /Hallonsbåtflyktning).

26.1.2021

7 pm

online

Ryerson University School of Image Arts, Honorary Consulate of Finland and Finnish Studies at the University of Toronto and Icelandic Canadian Club of Toronto

Film

The 2014 film is based on a novel by the same name by Finnish author Miika Nousiainen(Link to another website.) who also works as a broadcast journalist.  Its Swedish Director Leif Lindblom juggles between TV-series and feature films in a career that spans over 25 years.

In Rasberryboat Refugee we meet Mikko, who is a wannabe Swede trapped in a Finnish body.  He is obsessed with everything Swedish and becoming a Swede.   By chance, Mikko bumps into Mikael from Sweden who just wants to disappear and is happy to let Mikko take over his old life and proceed to Stockholm with his new identity.  Mikael forgot to mention that in addition to his elderly mother Greta, who lives in an old folks’ home he also has a sister, Maria, to somewhat complicate Mikko’s new idyllic life.   

The stereotypes and impressions Finns and Swedes have of each other linger on but the raspberry boat candy in the film title is still being manufactured and enjoyed in both countries.

Winner of the Nordic Film Award

Also in the programme, a short film by Ryerson University student Julia Talkowska, filmed in Finland during the workshop of 2019, The Chang School.

Trailer(Link to another website.)

Review in Indulge Magazine(Link to another website.)

Join us for a conversation with Professor Anu Muhonen from the Finnish Studies program at University of Toronto immediately following the screening.

The screening if fee, registration required (Link to another website.)