Taistelu Näsilinnasta 1918 (The Battle of Näsilinna 1918) (Claes Olsson, 2012, 1h 10m)
October 11, 2:00pm and 6:00pm
Finnish-American Heritage Center, Finlandia University
Olsson’s movie focuses on one of the bloodiest chapters in the history of Finland, the decisive battle of Tampere during the Finnish Civil War. The film tells the story of Erik Melin’s company of the White Army and its 212 men, who managed to penetrate the Red front and proceed to the Näsilinna castle on April 3, 1918. Documentary materials are incorporated in the enactment of the attack of the company, who fights without military colors, managing to surprise and conquer the Reds.
“Olsson (b.1948), who has made both documentaries and drama during his carrier, has combined the two genres into drama-documentary, and it works. […] The Battle of Näsilinna 1918 takes you into abyss of war in a plain and realistic manner.” – Tuuve Aro, mtv.fi