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How sad is this?

This is a tender, generous movie that likes its characters and presents them as real people, full of flaws and strengths.

Each character in this movie — down to the smallest one — is an individual rather than a type, prone to spontaneous changes of mood and sometimes amusing outbursts of pettiness or ill humor.

This is a dark and sometimes deeply uncomfortable drama

Annals of history are a long story of a sea of blood... It is difficult to argue. There is virtually not a single remote corner of Europe where nobody has ever spilled someone's blood. No surprise that today, there are so many relatively small countries on this small continent with fancifully indented coasts. And all these states were always at loggerheads with each other, time and again recarving the map, taking neighbours up, conquering them, decaying themselves as a result of civil dissension… Heaven knows how many world wars (Pan-European at least!) Europe, that cradle of nationalism, has suffered historically! But there were considered to be just 2 world wars: the most monstrous ones, both having wiped away from the face of the earth tens of millions of people and a few empires as well!When thinking about all this, one is willy-nilly likely to become filled with a holy terror; as one tries to imagine oneself were among those 'cogs in the machine' whom POWERS THAT BE dispatch with one dread glance to that dead waste which is called war. And war has almost nothing to do with anything humanistic; 'almost' – because some people do try by-passing the martial laws and helping neighbour, but are usually exposed and executed … And war is normally a survival-of-the-fittest (or, appreciably less likely, a survival-of-the-sliest) environment. It is unlikely that a feeble, meek one would survive the war…All these conspicuous facts have been shown in the said Russian-Finnish film. Such films are useful. They cynically break the rose-coloured specs people see through and wipe false smiles away from the faces of the of diplomats. Even such a tiny and seemingly odd land as Finland had to suffer world wars to suit its own ends and at least repeated its lesson of hatred according to the high (not the highest though) standards. Constrained between Scylla and Charybdis, i.e. Russia and Sweden, this nation has suffered centuries-old confused state, in terms of language as well: whether to speak own autochthonal Finnish tongue, or Russian, or Swedish. Partly, lingual situation is still in a turmoil in Finland, but how awful it was then, in 1918, when one might be even shot and killed for improper accent! The most frantic daredevils in the Finnish society would go to work and discriminate 'aliens' against; and even set a shining example to those hesitant about whether to destroy 'aliens' or not. He that is not with his nation is against it, said the daredevils to those who did not mind the existing priorities – thus making them to participate in giving short shrift to Russians (representatives of Finland's former 'parent state') and to their local Finnish sidekicks. Little Finland suffered its own Civil War simultaneously with Russia, and just like in Russia, it was fought between the "Whites" (anti-Soviet forces, which were backed by several Western powers) and the "Reds" (Communist forces), but the result was quite the opposite. The German-backed "Whites" beat the "Reds" all to ribands and the White Terror beat the Red one to nothing.I am quite confused to describe how much I was impressed by this film… It is fearful simply because it touches upon relatively little-known events which are difficult to be grasped with mind and which unsheathe just one conjecture. That is, no nation on earth boasts clean hands. Some always die so that others live. You would not wish living "in the wrong place at the wrong time" on your worst enemy.I was petrified of this film

"Raja 1918" takes us to the world of war between Whites and Reds in Finland. After the declaration of independence Finland drifted to the situation that it was torn between Finnish and former Soviet Nation. Before the independence Finland was under the power of Russia. "Raja 1918" tells a story of a captain Karl Von Munck (Martin Bahne) who is sent to the eastern border to control the way where people want to cross the border to Finland. Von Munck falls in love with a teacher Maaria Lintu (Minna Haapkylä) who is engaged to a rebel fugitive, traitor Heikki Kiljunen (Tommi Korpela). The movement controlling is cruel. People are guaranteed, sent back to Russia or killed merciless.The cast is brilliant. Martin Bahne is a very needed addition to the Finnish actors. Bahne brings a delicate touch to the Finnish soldier scene and deliver a touching performance. Bahne also speaks Finnish, Swedish and German what is very impressive. Minna Haapkylä is again in a strong female lead. Tommi Korpela is great as tough Heikki Kiljunen. Hannu-Pekka Björkman, Risto Kaskilahti and Lauri Nurkse make also memorable roles."Raja 1918" is a well-made, well-acted and surprising war-drama. The movie makes you appreciate our freedom and safety after all wars. The Civil War was very appalling and divided the people but it strengthen the unity of Finland and formed it how it is today. "Raja 19182 is realistic and interesting. The movie holds you till the end and still you yearn for more. "Raja 1918" is one of the best movies that Finland has produced ever. Freedom is a very topical subject because of wars and Civil Wars around the world.High recommends!

Borders between countries are a logical idea, but in reality they are absurd, as there really isn't any real borders, just some pieces of land people have decided to guard after looking some maps saying "This is where it goes." "Raja 1918" is a story of an officer Von Munck (Martin Bahne), who is sent after the civil war of Finaland to the Finland/Russia border to enforce the border line. After the idealistic man arrives, he notices, that the people live at the both sides of the border river, crossing the bridge as they will, not caring on which side of the imaginary line they are. And after the Bolsheviks are starting to seize the full control of Russia, a horde of refugees appears to the border. Von Munck has to tighten his grip, but it soon comes evident, that he isn't just separating two countries, he is driving a wedge between families as well."Raja 1918" is well acted and mostly well directed film, with great settings and good atmosphere. Only major issue is, that the story is overly melodramatic, whit no happiness in sight. The subject matter is very heavy and there are moments, which try to soften the film, like the commander of Russian border line major Gentch (Leonid Mozgovoy), who offers some brief moments of comedy, as well more drama, to the story. But overall the doomed love story, the social issues and dividing of the nations is filled with a bit too much drama. Maybe the movie would have been a bit more enjoyable, if the love story plot would have been removed, as now it just adds more depression into already heavy film.But overall "Raja 1918" is well made film. I wouldn't mind of seeing more quality projects like this coming from Finland.

This is a refreshing drama taking on issues "off the beaten track" of the main stream Finnish historical dramas.It is spring of 1918. The Finnish war of independence is over. The war had turned into a bloody civil war between whites and reds. A young scientist and officer, captain von Munck, is sent to close the border between the newly independent Finland and Russia under Bolshevik revolution. St. Petersbourg is close, only 40 km away and foreign, Russian and Finnish refugees, spies and revolutionaries try to cross the border to Finland.The young man must set up a clear border between Finland and Russia, white and red, enemy and friend, us and them. While the task seems clear he finds out the execution of his command in concrete situations is very difficult. Right choices turn out to be wrong ones and correcting them make things worse.This historical war movie is the border that most other war movies take for granted. There is a border, there is us and them. This is clear - also in this movie - but where is the border, where is the "thin red line" right here and now? In the story the border, us and them ,is moving from situation to another, from place to another.The movie has some technical flaw but the script and editing work well. As a description of the situation after 1918 civil war this is a rare filmatisation. I would recommend movie makers to look slightly of the beaten track when choosing historical war and drama topics.