Da Capo

Story

Synopsis

Interwoven with scenes that are meant to grab attention by their stunning composition, this biographical look at Finland's violinist Arto Arsi is not so much a narration of his childhood and early years, as an attempt to artistically show what was happening inside his psyche during that time. Literally sold to a master teacher, Sergei Rippas (Tarmo Manni) by his mother when he was still a child, the violin prodigy was forcefully and strictly raised to practice, practice, and perfect his technique. Once an adult, Arsi finds a way to escape the rigors of a U.S. tour and drowns his overworked self in drink, or seeks out one-night stands, or otherwise lets off steam. The tightly-wound spring that has been coiled since he was forced into his grueling training and work sessions -- shown through symbolic images -- eventually snaps in a healthy way, freeing Arsi at last to continue on, simply for the love of music.

Directors

Pekka Lehto, Pirjo Honkasalo

Writers

Pirkko Saisio, Pirjo Honkasalo, Eva Haitto

Language

Finnish

Country

Finland, Sweden

Release date

16 August 1985

Ensemble

Cast

• 

  Raimo Karppinen

  Arto Arsi

• Jan Söderblom

  Arto Arsi as a child

• Tarmo Manni

  Sergei Rippas

• 

  Rea Mauranen

  Suvi Ekman

• 

  Eeva-Maija Haukinen

  Arto's Mother

• Kimmo Otsamo

  Arto's Brother

• 

  Per Oscarsson

  Eino

• 

  Jayne Meadows

  Mrs. Thomas

• Marta Becket

  Ballet dancer

• 

  Lew Hopson

  Big Morgan

• 

  Virginia Capers

  Singing prisoner

• 

  Eri Klas

  Conductor