An overweight boy who was a bullied at school grew up to become a beloved comedian, folk artist Jope Ruonansuu. He was a versatile entertainer, but above all an impressionist, able to imitate more than 150 characters from the ruling class. Jope's journey was a natural extension of the post-war "Rillumarei" -culture. He broke through when the monoculturalism was at its most vibrant and grew in popularity as it began to crumble. With weight loss surgery, Jope sought a healthier life, but also to shed the extra pounds and childhood traumas. After the surgery, he was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer, but continued to fight, developing a number of different projects, including an anti-bullying campaign together with the President of Finland, Sauli Niinistö. The project was to culminate in a joint visit to Syväkangas school, in Jope's home town of Kemi. Jope passed away before then, but Niinistö kept his promise.
Jope – Just Think for Yourself
February 10, 2023
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Jope Ruonansuu
Self (Archive footage)
Sakari Kuosmanen
Self
Klaus Thomasson
Self
Ilkka Vainio
Self
Risto Asikainen
Self
Vicky Rosti
Self
Mato Valtonen
Self
Timo Koivusalo
Self
Outi Alanen
Self
Sauli Niinistö
Self
Laila Ruonansuu
Self
Mari Ruonansuu
Self
Ulla Ruonansuu
Self
Seppo Ruonansuu
Self
Jukka Ruonansuu
Self
Sakari Ruonansuu
Self
Jose Ruonansuu
Self
Kari Peltonen
Self
Matti Simola
Self
Maxi Niemitalo
Self
Riku Routo
Self
Tapio Pieskä
Self
Timo T. Tuikka
Self
Tommi E. Virtanen
Self
Tommi Reponen
Self
Marko Talli
Director
Olli Haikka
Executive Producer
Marko Talli
Producer
Jorma Reinilä
Executive Producer
Jenni Säntti
Assistant Production Manager
Juha Hakanen
Sound Designer
Juha Hakanen
Sound Recordist
Antti Pöntinen
Sound Recordist
Jussi Heikkinen
Sound Recordist
Jokke Kirmonen
Director of Photography
Jarkko T. Laine
Director of Photography
Mika Räinä
Archival Footage Research
Nikke Bagge
Editor
Jussi Turunen
Animation