photo by Mervi Junkkonen
The Film
In the Autumn of 2002 the cows of the Junkkonen farm are taken to the slaughterhouse. The wheels of progress roll onwards, but two middle-aged people get left behind, Maija and Pentti Junkkonen. The small municipality of Oulunsalo is planning factories, business parks, and a new 4-lane road which would cut through the farmers' fields. The old ways of making a living are dying.
The oldest daughter, director Mervi Junkkonen, realises that she herself is part of the reason why her parents decided to give up their livelihood-there is no one to take over the farm. Through her father's 8mm films, she catches glimpses of the farm's history and a time when it was full of life.
Now, Pentti (60), spends his time with his collection of tractors and some small-scale farming, but Maija (55) doesn't know what to do. Yet, life keeps taking tragic turns and old worries do not seem so important any more.
About a Farm is the director's personal inquiry into a vanishing life-style and a history of which she is the last link. It is a story about the period of mourning people who give up their livelihoods go through and about the things that really matter in the end.
More information at www.klaffi.com/press
Documentary, 8 minutes, 2008
Directed by Mervi Junkkonen
Script by Mervi Junkkonen
Photography Mervi Junkkonen
Editor Mervi Junkkonen
Sound by Girilal Baars
Music by Girilal Baars
Produced by Mervi Junkkonen
The Music
In this very short film, the music was used only for the opening and closing credits. Most of the soundtrack of this film is made up from environmental sounds in and around the home of the main chacter, with the neighbourhood dog making featured appearances. For the music I used my (then) newly perchased mandolin.