Gothenburg

Suburban Virgin

Espoon viimeinen neitsyt (Finland)

By LESLIE FELPERIN

A FantasiaFilmi, YLE production. (International sales: Finnish Film Foundation, Kanavakatu.) Produced by Nina Koljonen. Executive producer, Asko Apajalahti. Directed by Hanna Maylett. Screenplay, Nina Koljonen.
 
With: Hennariikka Laaksola, Saila Laakkonen, Lauri Kontula, Maria Krestjanoff, Jukka Reinikainen, Heikki Rentanen.
 

With its dark edges and digicam immediacy, "Suburban Virgin" approximates a Nordic version of Catherine Hardwicke's "Thirteen," but played more for laughs. Pic centers on two mid-teen girls' disaster-ridden journey round Finland in a quest to get one girl's cherry finally popped. Docu experience of director Hanna Maylett ("Good Girls") shines through in pic's gritty but never abrasive texture, and confident use of locations. Given a transfer to celluloid and loving P&A care, "Suburban Virgin" could do modest biz with select upscale auds, though sexual content will preclude teen market in most territories.

It's summertime in Espoo, and Minna the minx (Hennariikka Laaksola) longs to become sexually active like best friend Emma (Saila Laakkonen), who comes from a poorer background. The two start hitching nowhere in particular, with Minna making passes at nearly every guy en route; when they pitch up at a rock festival, she pulls handsome but heartless thief Jone (Lauri Kontula). Minna's selfish treatment of Emma reaps her a nasty reward, and tough-cookie Emma proves more vulnerable than she seems. Both lead thesps give excellent, precocious perfs. Original title literally means "The Last Virgin in Espoo."

Camara (color, DigiBeta), Selma Vilhunen; editor, Kimmo Kohtamaki; music, Olli Kykkanen. Reviewed at Gothenburg Film Festival, Jan. 27, 2004. Running time: 63 MIN.