Laugh or Die

Parikka, once hailed as Finland’s Funniest Man, and his theater group face execution for their alleged crimes during the Finnish Civil War. However, Jaeger Lieutenant Nyborg, who admires Parikka, believes they are victims of a grave injustice. He seeks to rescue the actors. The impending visit of German General von der Goltz to the prison island presents Nyborg with a chance. He proposes that the actors stage a comedic performance for the general, which would spare them from execution and grant them a new trial. Crafting a comedy amidst the dire conditions of starvation and looming death is a daunting challenge. With only a few genuine actors surviving, the rest of the group is made up of stagehands. Parikka must tap into all his creative abilities to deliver something humorous.