The title of the Finnish film Elokuu translates to August. Directed by Matti Kassila, one of Finland's premiere filmmakers, Elokuu was adapted from a novel by Nobel prize winning finnish author F.E. Sillanpää. Simply put, the story concerns the decline and fall of a once-proud family, thanks to the alcoholism of its paterfamilias. Toivo Makela delivers a powerfully effective performance as the inebriated protagonist, avoiding the usual "drunken" cliches. The overlong running time, coupled with the downbeat nature of the subject, limited the film's worldwide appeal.
Toivo Mäkelä
as Viktor Sundvall
Emma Väänänen
as Saima Sundvall
Rauni Luoma
as Maija Länsilehto
Aino-Maija Tikkanen
as Tyyne Sundvall
Rauni Ikäheimo
as Iita
Senni Nieminen
as Hanna Nieminen
Heikki Savolainen
as Mauno Viljanen
Tauno Kajander
as Taave
Sylvi Salonen
as Actress
Topi Kankainen
as Alpertti
Pentti Irjala
as Mies saunalla
Olavi Ahonen
as Mies saunalla
