Tove (film)

Tove
Film poster
Directed by	Zaida Bergroth
Screenplay by	Eeva Putro
Story by	Eeva Putro Jarno Elonen
Produced by	Aleksi Bardy Andrea Reuter
Starring	Alma Pöysti Krista Kosonen Shanti Roney Joanna Haartti
Cinematography	Linda Wassberg
Edited by	Samu Heikkilä
Music by	Matti Bye
Release date	2 October 2020 (2020-10-02)
Running time	103 minutes
Countries	Finland Sweden
Languages	Swedish English Finnish French
Budget	€3.4 million[1]

Tove [ˈtuːve] is a 2020 Finnish biographical film about Swedish-speaking Finnish author and illustrator Tove Jansson, creator of the Moomins. The film was directed by Zaida Bergroth from a script by Eeva Putro, and stars Alma Pöysti in the title role.^[2][3]

The film's budget, at €3.4 million, made it the second most expensive Finnish film, following the 2017 version of The Unknown Soldier.^[1] Tove was released to critical acclaim, and was selected as the Finnish entry for the Best International Feature Film award at the 93rd Academy Awards, but was not nominated.^[4][5]

Plot

The film follows the early life of Tove Jansson from the end of World War II to the mid-1950s, showing her romantic relationships with the politician Atos Wirtanen and the theatre director Vivica Bandler, as well as the creation and publication of the Moomins.^[6][7]

Cast

• Alma Pöysti as Tove Jansson^[8][9]
• Krista Kosonen as Vivica Bandler
• Shanti Roney as Atos Wirtanen
• Joanna Haartti as Tuulikki Pietilä
• Eeva Putro as Maya Vanni
• Jakob Öhrman as Sam Vanni
• Robert Enckell as Viktor 'Faffan' Jansson
• Kajsa Ernst as Signe 'Ham' Jansson
• Wilhelm Enckell as Lars Jansson

Release

Tove screened at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2020.^[1] The film was released in Finland on 2 October 2020.^[10]

Reception

Tove was positively received by critics, with Pöysti's performance in the title role garnering critical acclaim. Variety described Pöysti's performance as "mesmerizing", stating she "excels in her first leading film role and strongly resembles the real Tove". They were also positive about Bergroth's direction, commenting that she "flexes her considerable cinematic powers, conjuring vibrantly expressive visuals and confident performances from her talented cast."^[11]

Accolades

Tove won seven Jussi Awards, including Best Film and Best Actress for Pöysti.^[12] This was the most awards won by a Swedish-language Finnish film.^[13]

See also

• List of submissions to the 93rd Academy Awards for Best International Feature Film
• List of Finnish submissions for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film

Other related

• Comet in Moominland (film)

Notes

References

1. "Tove-elokuvalla 3,4 miljoonan jättibudjetti - intiimikohtausten koordinaattori mukana rakkauskohtauksissa" (in Finnish). Iltalehti. Retrieved October 1, 2020.
2. "New feature drama film about Tove Jansson to premiere in 2020". Moomin. 2019-06-18. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
3. Tekst, Johannes Kaikumo Jacobsen (2020-08-05). "(+) Tove Janssons liv blir film". blikk.no (in Norwegian). Retrieved 2020-08-06.
4. "Zaida Bergrothin ohjaama Tove Suomen Oscar-ehdokkaaksi". Filmikamari. 18 November 2020. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
5. Dalton, Ben; Rosser, Michael (20 November 2020). "Oscars best international feature 2021: all the films submitted so far". Screen Daily. Retrieved 21 November 2020.
6. "LevelK gears up to present its latest slate at Cannes". Cineuropa - the best of european cinema. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
7. "Finnish actor lands "role of lifetime" as lead in Tove Jansson biopic". Yle Uutiset. 16 January 2020. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
8. "Lead cast and national premiere for the first feature drama film about Tove Jansson announced". Moomin. 16 January 2020. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
9. Mitchell, Wendy (16 January 2020). "Alma Pöysti to play Moomins creator Tove Jansson in biopic 'Tove' (exclusive)". Screen. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
10. @MoominOfficial (February 27, 2020). "The first image of the new movie "TOVE" has been released, with Alma Pöysti portraying Tove Jansson! The movie will get its national premiere in Finland on October 2, 2020. Read more about the movie at https://moom.in/tovefilmcast #tovefilm #toveelokuva #tovemovie" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
11. ‘Tove’ Review: An Engaging Biopic on Moomins Creator Tove Jansson – Variety
12. Silja Sahlgren-Fodstad (2021-09-16). "Filmen Tove blev Jussigalans stora vinnare – utsågs bland annat till årets bästa film" (in Swedish). Yle.
13. Enlund, VN-arkiv/Lina. "Alma Pöysti är lycklig och omtumlad". www.hbl.fi (in Swedish). Retrieved 2022-07-31.

External links

• Tove at IMDb
• Tove at Rotten Tomatoes
• Anthony Lane: Why Movies Love Kids’ Books at The New Yorker