MATTI LIVES IN FINLAND

Since Elle Kari, in 1952, these photostories have changed very little; while other series quite deliberately devolve on local customs, schooling, means of livelihood and the like, this remains casual, personal, a little sentimental. Thus the views of seven-year-old Matti and friend Merja, who seems to have everything (he hasn't), are more appropriate for sharing at home than for preparing a school report. He envies her her dog, her grandfather, her new kitten, even her cousins who have a horse, and when he does get a pet, a new bull calf, he ignores father's remark "for the time being." Then father sells the calf to Merja's grandfather for the latter's birthday feast, and Matti is crushed until Merja succeeds in getting the calf back (because Matti once saved her from drowning). There are lovely fresh scenes of farm and countryside, somewhat less than spontaneous close-ups of the people. But all have a sweet innocence that's rare nowadays.