Amos A – A Portrait of Success and Solitude
Showtimes
The enigmatic Amos Anderson (1878–1961) is an undisputed dignitary of 20th-century Finnish society. His life can be viewed from the perspectives of many historical developments: support for the arts, queer life, theater, the business world, the press, Finnish-Swedish urban culture, politics.
Hailing from modest settings, Anderson amassed a considerable fortune, which he used to build Finnish society. Anna Blom‘s documentary film explores various aspects of Anderson’s public life, but is primarily interested in the social yet private Amos and his relationships. “We know a lot about Amos Anderson, but he is still an enigma”, the film states at the beginning.
A window into Anderson’s personality is brought by Gunilla Hemming‘s play Amos A, which premiered in September at the Svenska Teatern under the direction of Kari Heiskanen. The film follows the rehearsals for the play, the creators’ reflections on the characters, and the completion of the costumes, makeup, and sets. Amos never married or had children, and recently there has been discussion about his possible homo- or bisexuality.
The completion of the play is smoothly interwoven with archival material and expert interviews in the film. In addition, the film introduces Anderson’s homes on Yrjönkatu in Helsinki and in Söderlångvik on Kimitoön Island – both of which are now museums where Amos’s diverse and valuable legacy lives on.
Marjo Pipinen (translated by Moritz Müller)
Anna Blom will attend the film screening on 8 Feb.
