The Punk Syndrome

★★★★

Dir: Jukka Kärkkäinen

(2012)

Pertii Kurikka's Name Day are a Finnish punk band you may never of heard of. The autistic temperamental lead singer Pertti Kurikka and front man Karl Aalto, and the Down's syndrome rhythm section of Sami Helle and Toni Välitalo have a little more to rage about than the government and revolt. Their afflictions and their anger surrounding their lifestyle is filtered through a typical punk mindset makes for a touching, genuinely funny and heartbreaking look at a different side of life in band.

Jukka Kärkkäinen's wonderful little film is filled with perfect moments of heart-break and joy as the band's popularity grows and so do the crowds. The in-fighting is on full show which is quickly channelled into often brilliant lyrics such as Pertti has cerebral palsy/ Pertti can't throw a party and numerous rages about how often the band are allowed coffee and their trips to the chiropodist. The loveable quartet is never exploited in what could have been a very touchy film indeed within the boundaries of documentary and the mental health issues present here; But The Punk Syndrome rarely wavers.

Drummer Toni's move to the nursing home to be closer to a fan of the band is deeply sad, the rivalry between Sami and Pertti has tinges of Plant and Page about it and the DIY heart of the film ensures more warmth than darkness. The little films un-showy filming, lack of a hollywood voiceover and a raw approach to storytelling to match the three chord 2 minute punk tunes combine to make The Punk Syndrome one of the most enjoyable docs of the year.