Saatanan kanit

Considering the title of the film is one I cannot use on IMDb (the first word violates IMDb's standards for reviews), then it's probably not surprising that this is a very adult film. You'll see genitalia, people engaging in intercourse, sacrilege AND copious swearing. A children's film this is NOT! But it IS funny...and amazingly bizarre and original.

The film is set in a public housing complex. Raimo prides himself with his liberal attitudes towards others, but his open mindedness is sorely challenged when a Satanic cult moves in next door. The leader is a real oddity. While he has 18 wives, sports Gene Simmons-like facial makeup all the time and leads a sex cult who tortures its members, he also is VERY normal when he interacts with Raimo. Hearing the cult leader talk is like ANY normal neighbor and he tries very hard to befriend Raimo and his wife. But being invited to sex parties and walking in on some INSANE scenes in the cult's apartment make it tough for Raimo...and his wife thinks he's just being close-minded and a jerk! This makes the film very funny...but also very adult!

My advice is to see this one if you can. But, do NOT watch it when your kids, pastor or mother are in the house!!! Seriously...just don't!

This short film is a very dry satirical comedy about the middle classes, in which the lead character is 'progressive' in so much as his mundane life allows him to show his tolerance to those lesser than him. However when a sex cult moves into the flat next door, he finds his progressive beliefs pushed beyond what he is willing to accept. It is a very nicely done piece because it balances two very different tones very well. On one side we have the social satire aspect which Raimo brings into the film, while on the other we have the absurd comedy of Maki. Of course neither works without the other, and it is this blend that makes the film work - much like the ear-rape of the heavy metal dropping into the bridge sequences.

The comedic timing of Puolanto and Reinikainen makes the film work very well, and the production standards are pretty high. Writer Toivonen gives plenty of good material, and Niukkanen has a good eye to get the most from it. Perhaps a Finnish social satire is not what everyone is looking for on a Saturday night, but this is worth a look for how enjoyably it mixes the satirical and the absurd.

It's not the satanist who are bad but the other guys ... or something along those lines. But the movie does not try to give us a message, it just tries to have some fun with quite a lot of cliches. It is a short movie and you can say it is short and sweet. Though your definition of sweet may be called into question after watching some of the things depicted in this movie.

It's not for the faint hearted and if you don't like people being made fun of, or dakr comedy is not your thing, this is not yours. Or maybe if you don't like certain types of metal music either. But you would lose out on an interesting short experience with really good acting and some very funny ideas. And because it is short it is not a time waster either ...