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.
Raimo Karppinen
as Arto Arsi
Jan Söderblom
as Arto Arsi as a child
Tarmo Manni
as Sergei Rippas
Rea Mauranen
as Suvi Ekman
Eeva-Maija Haukinen
as Arto's Mother
Kimmo Otsamo
as Arto's Brother
Per Oscarsson
as Eino
Jayne Meadows
as Mrs. Thomas
Marta Becket
as Ballet dancer
Lew Hopson
as Big Morgan
Virginia Capers
as Singing prisoner
Eri Klas
as Conductor
