Laugh or Die Poster

Laugh or Die 2018

★ 6.226 votes103 min📅 2018-03-16

"Humor is a matter of death"

In the gripping Finnish drama *Laugh or Die* (2018), directed by Heikki Kujanpää, a troupe of actors faces imminent execution after being falsely accused of war crimes during Finland's Civil War.

Director: Heikki Kujanpää

Cast

Martti Suosalo
Martti Suosalo
Toivo Parikka
Jani Volanen
Jani Volanen
Hjalmar Kalm
Leena Pöysti
Leena Pöysti
Helen Kalm
Paavo Kinnunen
Alfred Nyborg
Vesa Vierikko
Vesa Vierikko
Johansson
Jussi Nikkilä
Jussi Nikkilä
Aulis
Tommi Eronen
Tommi Eronen
Elo
Panu Vauhkonen
Rautio
Paleface
Paleface
Äimälä
Rüdiger Klink
Rüdiger Klink
Von Der Goltz

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Laugh or Die (2018) about?

Set in post-Civil War Finland, the film follows a group of actors sentenced to death for alleged war crimes. Their survival hinges on a bold plan: performing a comedy for a visiting German general to avoid execution. It's a tense, darkly humorous battle for redemption.

Who directed Laugh or Die?

Heikki Kujanpää directed *Laugh or Die*, bringing a sharp, atmospheric style to this historical drama.

Who stars in Laugh or Die?

The film stars Martti Suosalo, Jani Volanen, Leena Pöysti, Paavo Kinnunen, and Vesa Vierikko in pivotal roles.

Is Laugh or Die (2018) worth watching?

For fans of historical dramas with a twist, *Laugh or Die* (2018) delivers compelling tension and a unique premise. While not widely rated, its themes of justice and survival make it a thought-provoking watch.

How long is Laugh or Die?

*Laugh or Die* runs for 103 minutes.

About Laugh or Die (2018) — A Dark Comedy of Survival in Finland's Civil War

In the gripping Finnish drama *Laugh or Die* (2018), directed by Heikki Kujanpää, a troupe of actors faces imminent execution after being falsely accused of war crimes during Finland's Civil War. Their fate hangs in the balance until Jaeger Lieutenant Nyborg intervenes, proposing a desperate gamble: staging a comedic performance for the visiting German General von der Goltz to spare their lives. Blending dark humor with historical tension, the film explores themes of justice, survival, and the absurdity of war, all set against the claustrophobic backdrop of a prison island.

Martti Suosalo leads the cast as Parikka, the once-celebrated 'Funniest Man in Finland,' whose final act of defiance takes an unexpected turn. With a stark, atmospheric tone and a story rooted in real historical tensions, *Laugh or Die* (2018) is more than a wartime drama—it's a meditation on art, identity, and the razor-thin line between laughter and tragedy.