RESTLESS BLOOD

The mad melodramas of Finnish director Teuvo Tulio (1912-2000) are untethered from naturalism, logic or sometimes even good taste. They are a heady combination of surrealist imagery and emotional intensity, operating in the same space as the subversive tales of Sirk and Fassbinder, doused with tears and booze, prostitution and poison.

RESTLESS BLOOD features intensely deranged performances, stunning Forties fashions and vibing in both the neo-noir and German Expressionist directions. Blonde wife Sylvi has what she thinks is an ideal marriage to playboy doctor husband Valter, despite his “innocent” flirtation with her kid sister. That is, until the day her young son is killed by a speeding bus. She drinks poison in desperation, surviving but losing her sight. Kid sister returns, and now the grieving husband does more than flirting. Look out: once Sylvi downs a shot of poison and dons her weird black shades, ooowee!!