Splinters - A Century Of An Artistic Family

Peter von Bagh's essay documentary is the story of an artistic family Aho-Soldan, whose influence has been important in Finnish art throughout decades of the 20th century. The film is a collage of many multi-faceted personalities enriching the lives of generations: Author Juhani Aho, with him and after him painter Venny Soldan-Brofeldt, cinematographers Heikki Aho and Björn Soldan and photographer Claire Aho. Through their life's work we find a method of the documentary: words, paintings, photographs and moving images. The total picture of culture, portrayed through all its circumstantial evidence. Splinters is a story about mental tensions and the electric field of ideas and practise that lead to the rise of modern Finland. The film moves between different eras - things are repeated, they evolve, they emerge in a new form. Half a century of history of Finland and Finnish culture, very versatile. (Illume Oy)