The Finnish government used an official monopoly and levied the world's heaviest 87% spirits tax to increase the cost of alcoholism. Three years ago, Finland complied with EU regulations and lowered the tax on spirits by 44%. The problem of alcoholism has worsened. According to statistics from the Ministry of Welfare and Health of Finland at the end of last year, alcohol surpassed heart disease for the first time and became the number one killer of adult men in Finland; 10.5% of adult women also died of alcohol, no less harmful than breast cancer.
Finland is full of strong contrasts. In the European Quality of Life Survey and the Happy Country Rankings published by the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom, Finns rank second in life satisfaction. But Finland is also one of the countries with the highest suicide rate. The suicide rate between 35 and 44 years old is twice that of the EU average.
Some people say this is the winter depression of the Nordic people; others say it is caused by the 7.7% unemployment rate. However, compared with France and Germany, where the unemployment rate is often close to 10%, Finland's unemployment problem is not the most serious. It is just that Finns have the deepest fear of unemployment. According to a survey conducted by the European Union, 13% of Finns strongly believe that they will be unemployed in the next six months. The rate is higher than that of many countries. They can be regarded as a pessimistic group in the European Union.
That is to say, it is under this cold background that the gray tone of "Twilight" can be created, and the most famous Finnish angry young film director A.Kaurismaki will be created with "Finnish trilogy"-" "Floating Clouds", "A Man Without a Past", and "Twilight Light" became famous internationally. The cold tone and darkness in the "Finnish Trilogy" present a double-sided Finland where happiness and melancholy, hope and despair coexist.
We may be surprised by what happened to the hero. Because in our minds, in Europe, especially in northern Europe, everyone is equal, the pace of life is slow, the welfare of the people is high, and there is no competition among people, everyone lives and works in peace and contentment, and enjoys their own good life...I will give The above-mentioned examples can be a good refutation of the impressions that are imprinted in our minds, who is called utopia, only exists in novels and middle school textbooks!
Loomis' "60°N, Cold Foreign Land" also portrays Finland's melancholy, unemployment, alcoholism and despair. It was the most popular movie in Finland last year. At the premiere, the Finnish ambassador to Norway told Loomis that this was the last film he wanted foreigners to see, although it was the Finnish film that received the most international awards this year.
"Finland has success, good welfare, strong economic competitiveness, and wants to show that it is not only a modern European country, but also the home of young hippies and technological innovators. However, it must accept the reality behind the movie: middle-age unemployment caused by unemployment. Helplessness, addiction, despair and depravity," wrote Yi Bisheng, special commissioner of the Financial Times.
Finns have always cared about others' perspectives. When the Finnish report of the Financial Times was published, discussions were fierce from all walks of life, but no one scolded the British for bad-mouthing Finland. In addition to self-encouragement and the need to work harder to solve the accumulated abuses in the eyes of outsiders, they also advised the media to come next time. When interviewing in Finland, remember to choose a good weather, "At that time, Finland looked much happier." The
gloomy side of Finns definitely has something to do with the weather. Linux founder Torvalds explained in his autobiography "JustforFun" (Just for Fun) that as long as you stay in Finland for one winter, you will understand why Finns are addicted to alcohol.
One-third of the country’s population is in the Arctic Circle and the population above 60 degrees north latitude is half Finns; half of the year only sees a few hours of sunlight. It’s dark, and I feel really melancholic.” Finnish economist Ende said frankly that he gets tired easily in winter and can’t lift his energy.
The tragic situation of the heroine also makes sense in the northern Finland. In the oppression between people, in the endless cold in the northern Finland, day after day despair, until the loss of all confidence and hope, there is no turning back. Time. Speaking of the pain between people, we, as the people of the celestial dynasty, may feel more touched. No one tells us that we are no better than Cosdinant.
The film brings infinite despair, just like the terrible weather in Finland.
The happiest northern country, Finland, the white nights in summer are another scene. When Yara Yaszchi, who likes to play golf, promotes Finland to American entrepreneurs, he likes to introduce it this way: “I go to play at 10 o’clock in the evening, and you can play until midnight. You can see sunset and sunrise at the same time within two hours. This place Where can I find it?"
View more about Lights in the Dusk reviews
