Teuvo Tulio, born in 1912 in Finland, was a pioneering figure in the realm of melodrama, transitioning from acting to directing in the 1930s. His film Sensuela (1973) showcases his signature style, blending eroticism with emotional depth, a hallmark of his cinematic vision. Tulio's work resonates within the cult film community, as he infused his narratives with intense melodrama and complex characters, contributing to the unique landscape of exploitation cinema. His influence is felt in how Sensuela explores themes of desire and identity.
Sensuela
Laila is an innocent Lappish girl and the only daughter of a reindeer herder. During world war II Laila rescues crashed German fighter pilot Hans and the two develop warm feelings for each other during his convalescence. Years later, after the war, Hans returns to Lapland as a freelance photographer and manages to lure Laila to run away with him to capital Helsinki to start a career as a photo model, much to the chagrin of her traditional father Aslak. After initial happiness, however, Hans abandons Laila and the decadent lifestyle of a big city sends her life into a downward spiral.
