[Film] The Happiest Day in the Life of Olli Maki (Hymyileva Mies)

12 May 2017

“The Happiest Day in the Life of Olli Maki (Hymyileva Mies)”---European Union Film Festival

Release Year: 2014

Country: Finland

Director: Juho Kuosmanen

Cast: Jarkko Lahti, Oona Airola, Eero Milonoff

Location I watched: National Gallery Singapore

Story from the programme booklet:

The true story of Olli Maki, the famous Finnish boxer who had a shot at the 1962 World Featherweight title. Immensely talented and equally modest, Olli’s small town life is transformed when he is swept into national stardom and suddenly regarded as a symbol of his country. There’s only one problem: Olli has just fallen in love. Inside of the ring, it is Finland v the USA, but outside, boxing and romance become unlikely adversaries vying for Olli’s attention.

This scene looks like a boxing film.

Boxing is one of film’s favorite sports. There have been many dramas about victory or tragedy from hardship with ambition and maybe love. In “The Happiest Day in the Life of Olli Maki”, the boxing scenes do not cut corners. Olli Maki, also known as “The Baker from Kokkola”, is working hard. Especially His struggle to lose weight clearly shows the cruelty of boxing. Nevertheless, this film is actually not a drama about boxing. His title challenge in the summer of 1962 was shot like a film of those days on black and white 16mm. The film does not stir the audience’s emotion unnecessarily. It observes Olli as a humble and easy-going young man who is far from the ordinary image of a boxer. Olli’s confusion and the excitement of those around him are described with controlled humour and modest satire.

“You don’t have to take the responsibility for others’ selfish dreams.” Olli’s girlfriend, Raija cheered him up. This film is not a drama about boxing. This film is a story about how to live your life. Victory and love can sometimes come together, but sometimes it does not. The important thing is not to lose yourself. If you do not lose yourself, even when victory does not come, happiness may come. The English title of this film is ironic and at the same time, it is true. That day of the title match, the 17th of August in 1962 became the happiest day for Olli.

“When we get older, will we become like them?” Raija said to Olli, as they notice a passing elderly couple taking a walk peacefully on the harbour. That onscreen couple is the real Mr. Olli Maki and Mdm. Raija Maki.

By the way, there is a sequence where Olli takes Raija to a “show” in Helsinki. The show is very simple. There is a big water tank on the stage. Two women in bikini are lying on the board set up at each side above the tank. When the show starts, the audience throws tennis balls at the pole supporting the board. If the balls hit the target, the women splash down into the water. That is all. The show finishes in a few minutes. That is a vulgar and sad reflection of Olli’s summer days in his peaceful hometown. I am not sure that such a lame “show” really existed or not in Helsinki in the 1960’s. Anyway, as I personally like circus or tent show very much, that scene was quite curious and attractive. (13 June 2017)