Jope – Just Think for Yourself
- Released on
- Runtime
- 88 mins
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.
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.
Cast
- Jope Ruonansuu
- Sakari Kuosmanen
- Klaus Thomasson
- Ilkka Vainio
- Risto Asikainen
- Vicky Rosti
- Mato Valtonen
- Timo Koivusalo
- Outi Alanen
- Sauli Niinistö
- Laila Ruonansuu
- Mari Ruonansuu
- Ulla Ruonansuu
- Seppo Ruonansuu
- Jukka Ruonansuu
- Sakari Ruonansuu
- Jose Ruonansuu
- Kari Peltonen
- Matti Simola
- Maxi Niemitalo
- Riku Routo
- Tapio Pieskä
- Timo T. Tuikka
- Tommi E. Virtanen
- Tommi Reponen
Director
- Marko Talli
Producers
- Marko Talli