"Kyrsyä" is a short (about 80 minutes), low-budget independent movie ("Findie") based on a play by Neea Viitamäki. A city girl going through a bad break-up is tricked into accepting a summer job at a small village - by the title - which has turned its back to the rest of the world. The village of Kyrsyä is seemingly a self-contained paradise living at peace with nature. However, it turns out that the village is a little too self-contained.
Viitamäki's story is a clever take on the anxiety dwelling among citizens too far removed from nature and, in juxtaposition, the consequences of not accepting to move with the times. In its pursuit of running away from the cacophony of the modern society, Kyrsyä has stuck to the ways of the 19th century, which causes all kinds of perversions. The film version deals with these themes, at times, inspiringly, but handles them in a noticeably uneven manner. This makes the viewing experience a trying but fascinating one. Especially weak is the clumsy ending, which is really unfortunate.
On the other hand, the village community, dialogue and depiction of nature are well presented. Acting is especially good, apart from a couple of exaggerations shooting for comedy - and, sadly, the leading actress, who can only offer a one-dimensional performance.
"Kyrsyä" aims for a blend of dark comedy and horror, but doesn't quite reach either. The pacing of the comedy is always a bit off and there is no sense of urgency regarding the horror. Even so, the movie does somehow weave its own sort of a spell through interesting topical ideas and some inspired acting.
