“The history of tuberculosis includes death, shame and isolation as well as romances, joy and survival,” Finnish producer Markku Tuurna (Filmimaa) explains the fundamental appeal of his feature doc Riding with Death, by Nina Forsman and Sakari Suuronen, that will describe how the disease was treated within his country’s sanatoriums in the mid-20th Century.
“In the sanatoriums the tuberculosis patients had an immense social life: theater plays, spiritism, zines [publications] with macabre humor, Olympic games, and secret clubs for drinking and smoking. They even had their own code word for romantic walks in the forest called ‘lumpustus’ which often was more than just walking hand in hand…,” he adds.
For patients, this new and secluded mode of existence heightened their sense of being, as one’s potential lifespan could never be calculated. It could also induce profound depression. “You never knew how long you would live. Lifelong love stories were born, as well as friendships, survival stories, and carefree sex. For many patients the sanatorium was the best community they ever experienced,” Tuurna underlines. “For others it was a place of suffering, death and loneliness. Suicides were also a common occurrence.”
“Tuberculosis has always been associated with unspeakable shame, and sometimes the stigmatized patients were left on their own,” he adds. “Riding with Death reveals the forgotten stories of tuberculosis and provides an opportunity to speak about those experiences that have been silenced for over 50 years.”
Nevertheless, the sanatorium model has profound resonance for our times. “We feel that after the Covid-19 experience, the film gives us necessary historical perspective. Many of us suffered alone during Covid-19, but it did not have to be that way. The rich sanatorium culture in Finland shows us another approach.”
Directors Nina Forsman and Sakari Suuronen have personal connections with the subject, with past relatives having suffered TB (and its associated sense of shame) and undergone the full sanatorium treatment. “As directors they are really creative, and honest in their approach. They both have a personal reason to tell a tuberculosis story, and they want to do it in a surprising, even joyful way. The cinematic journey is full of fascinating surprises,” says Tuurna. “As directors, this is the first time they put their talents together… Sakari and Nina are also experienced editors, with innovative new ideas.”
In the film they use previously unseen black and white archive film and sound, combined with re-enacted scenes, based on stories and testimonies. “At times the film is dreamlike. It is also funny and surprising,” says Tuurna. “Cinematographer Jarkko T. Laine is renowned for his beautiful images, serving the film.”
At FFA in Helsinki, the producer is looking to source distribution deals and pique festival interest. The filmmakers will shoot final scenes in Autumn 2024, before editing starts in earnest in November. Post-production is expected to be completed by Spring of 2025 before the film’s mooted premiere in Autumn 2025.
“This film is an ode to life and love and rebirth,” Tuurna signs off. “You are taken into a dreamlike journey strongly rooted to history.”
