MovieChat Forums > Tulitikkutehtaan tyttö (1992) Discussion > Like a Finnish 'Jeanne Dielman' -- Only ...

Like a Finnish 'Jeanne Dielman' -- Only Shorter?

posted 14 years ago by gnolti
8 replies | jump to latest

*SPOILERS*

This film reminded me strongly of the 1975 Belgian film, "Jeanne Dielman, 23 Quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles." Of course, the two are quite different, especially in length. But there are so many parallels: The woman whose dismally pale urban existence finally drives her to murder; the long, static takes; the indifferent family life; the sexual loneliness.

Imagine what life for these women might have been like if they had only had the Internet.

There, daddy, do I get a gold star?

[–] lccmj 14 years ago

That's what I thought myself, this to me is more tragic though. It also reminded me of the Ozu film Tokyo Twilight.

Match Factory Girl was probably the weakest of the three even though I gave it 9/10 (that gives you an indication of what it is up against) nonetheless a fantastic feminist film.

"My rule of thumb is, what Siskel and Ebert like, I don't, and vice versa." David Lynch

[–] NewOriginals 12 years ago

Tokyo Twilight is a lot more melodramatic than this movie, I don't think they really compare except for the suffering female protagonist.

[–] dane-70 14 years ago

Gold star indeed. Thanks. I've been trying to remember the name of that film for years, and this one struck me as almost a remake. Odd how a mere 70 minutes of the Finnish version is as unnerving as the 3 or 6 or 9 hours or whatever it is of the French one.

[–] Tyler_Seymour_Wallach 13 years ago

Great comparison, but I'd note that Kaurismaki gave Iiris reason for a vindictive streak which took four lives, where Jeanne Dielman was suffering from a very lackluster life which suffocated her and only pushed her to kill when one of her clients was actually suffocating her. Jeanne had feminist backlash where Iiris was abhorrently treated and snapped.

http://forizzer69.wordpress.com/ (TIFF: The Bad)

[–] Stirchley 9 years ago

Jeanne Dielman was suffering from a very lackluster life which suffocated her and only pushed her to kill when one of her clients was actually suffocating her.

I'm sorry, but you missed the whole point of the movie. Jeanne's entire existence was based on a strict routine. When she had an orgasm with her final client, it upset her so much and that is why she killed him. In other words, there was no room in her day for something so unexpected and out-of-control as an orgasm.

[–] PoppyTransfusion 9 years ago

Neither film reminded me of the other and even considering the comparison you draw I find Iris and Jeanne to be so different to one another that they are indifferent.

Imagine what life for these women might have been like if they had only had the Internet.

F/cking hell what an impoverished mind you have!

I give my respect to those who have earned it; to everyone else, I'm civil.

[–] Stirchley 9 years ago

Neither film reminded me of the other

I agree; not even remotely similar.

[–] TopFrog 8 years ago

I had the same thought as I watched this, that it's like a fast version of Jeanne Dielman.