Reindeer Spotting - Escape from Santaland

**The Ripper** · 09-13-2010, 01:13 PM

I was thinking of watching this much talked about documentary today. It basically tells the story of a bunch of junkies/petty criminals living in Rovaniemi, Finnish Lapland. Its filmed by one of the junkies himself, who decided that he wanted to document the life they were living. I've heard that its captivating. The guy in the centre of documentary, Jani, was found hanged in Cambodia some time ago, although Finnish papers still have not disclosed the cause of death.

Trailer with English subs:

[YOUTUBE]Q8O_Ot-wCIg[/YOUTUBE]

Description:

Documentary film ReindeerSpotting is a documentary film of a group of young guys living in Rovaniemi, Arctic Circle, dabbling in petty crime and hard drugs. One of them, Jani, has lost five years of his life and two fingers to his debotators. He wants to leave Lapland and his old life behind. Robbing a supermarket is a start for his getaway. A few years back a documentarist, Joonas Neuvonen, was a young men living on social welfare, using drugs on daily basis. He started to film his friends and their life. This is the story of Jani.

Director Joonas Neuvonen, written by Joonas Neuvonen and Sadri Cetinkaya, producers Jesse Fryckman and Oskari Huttu.

Documentary, 84min, 2010

And here is Jani hanging by the end of a rope (graphic): http://kohsantepheapdaily.com.kh/art...07-014650.html

**Crossbow** · 09-13-2010, 01:45 PM

Jesus, this guy wants to get out of Rovaniemi, to do what exactly??
Bother other people in foreign countries by hanging himself.

**The Ripper** · 09-13-2010, 01:57 PM

Originally Posted by Crossbow

Jesus, this guy wants to get out of Rovaniemi, to do what exactly??
Bother other people in foreign countries by hanging himself.

I'm sure that was his big dream.

**lei.talk** · 09-13-2010, 02:34 PM

Originally Posted by Crossbow

Jesus, this guy wants to get out of Rovaniemi, to do what exactly??
Bother other people in foreign countries by hanging himself.

image his distress
at discovering that his home-town was not his problem:

Remember,
no matter where you go, there you are.

**Crossbow** · 09-13-2010, 06:53 PM

Originally Posted by lei.talk

image his distress
at discovering that his home-town was not his problem:

Remember,
no matter where you go, there you are.

Yes, that was certainly his problem. You can't escape from yourself, no matter where you go.

**The Ripper** · 09-13-2010, 06:57 PM

I just watched it and I have to say, it would make good anti-drug campaign material, much better than the BS we had to listen to in school. This movie should dispel the glamour.

While everyone is responsible to themselves, I did feel quite sorry for the main "protagonist," Jani, especially when I know how he wound up. And every time I saw the two stubs for fingers which had been surgically removed by axe, I cringed. I know people who are in the depths of drug addiction, some former friends, class mates, etc. Its not pretty and even intelligent and strong people can succumb. Anyway, I recommend watching it