AFI FILM FEST: A WINDOW ON SOME FAR SHORES : FRIDAY

“The Unknown Soldier” (Finland, 1986, 12 p.m.). Finland’s Oscar entry in 1986 could aptly be titled “Battalion.” The story vividly and relentlessly chronicles the exploits of a band of soldiers during the Finno-Soviet conflict of 1941-44. The ongoing graphic carnage eventually has its toll on the audience, who become inured to the violence in a film that feels as lengthy (at 198 minutes) as the actual event--especially as it’s screened without an intermission. In response to the officer who asks his beleaguered movie troops, “Are you sheep or Finnish soldiers?” one can only reply, “Baa.”