Jope – Just Think for Yourself

The story

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

J Jope RuonansuuSelf (Archive footage) S Sakari KuosmanenSelf K Klaus ThomassonSelf I Ilkka VainioSelf R Risto AsikainenSelf V Vicky RostiSelf M Mato ValtonenSelf T Timo KoivusaloSelf O Outi AlanenSelf S Sauli NiinistöSelf L Laila RuonansuuSelf M Mari RuonansuuSelf

See more cast

U Ulla RuonansuuSelf S Seppo RuonansuuSelf J Jukka RuonansuuSelf S Sakari RuonansuuSelf J Jose RuonansuuSelf K Kari PeltonenSelf M Matti SimolaSelf M Maxi NiemitaloSelf R Riku RoutoSelf T Tapio PieskäSelf T Timo T. TuikkaSelf T Tommi E. VirtanenSelf T Tommi ReponenSelf