Daily Archives: November 5, 2018

The Other Side of Hope (Toivon tuolla puolen)
Directed by Äki Kaurismäki
Written by Äki Kaurismäki
2017/Finland/Germany
Sputnik/Oy Bufo Ab/Zweites Deutsches Fernhesen
First viewing/FilmStruck

[box] Khaled: Listen. I fell in love with Finland.[/box]

Äki Kaurismäki’s “final film” is a fitting swan song combining pathos, humor and masterful use of the color blue.

Khaled’s home was destroyed by unknown forces in the Syrian city of Aleppo.  Since then he has been looking for a home in Europe.  After many setbacks, he arrives in Helsinki, Finland and finally officially applies for asylum.  But this is isn’t the only thing on his mind. He became separated from his sister en route and is anxiously searching for her.

Waldemar Wickstrom is a traveling salesman who wins big in a poker game and decides to buy a restaurant.  The restaurant comes with its disgruntled employees.  Waldemar finds Khaled homeless near a dumpster and gives him a job as a bus boy.

These oddballs eventually form a very eccentric but loving family as Khaled tries to stay one step ahead of the law.

This has been advertised as Kaurismäki’s final film.  I’m hoping that’s a bad joke.  He’s only 61 and keeps getting better!  Sometime I’m going to figure out how his actors manage to keep absolutely deadpan expressions while at the same time you know exactly what they are thinking.  This is another very beautiful, funny, and humane story.  If life were only like that for refugees.

Shadows in Paradise (Varjoja paratiisissa)
Directed by Äki Kaurismäki
Written by Äki Kaurismäki
1986/Finland
Villealfa Filmproduction Oy
First viewing/FilmStruck

[box] Co-worker: I’ve got a slogan already: “Reliable garbage disposal since 1986.”

Nikander: But that’s now.

Co-worker: That’s why it catches the eye.[/box]

I love the films of Äki Kaurismäki,  Here’s a pretty good early one.

Nikander (Kaurismäki regular Matti Pellonen) is a garbage collector.  Early on in the movie, his partner dies.  Nikander meets a down-and-outer and soon gets him a job as a replacement.  Ilona Rajamäki (the great Kati Outinen) is a rather despondent grocery clerk. Nikander begins a lackadaisical courtship which doesn’t get off to a great start when he takes her on a first date to a dingy bingo parlor.

After losing one job too many, Ilona decides on drastic action and Nikander helps her make a get away.

Kaurismäki specializes in working men and women, and especially the down-and-out.  His beautiful, skillful use of color, composition and music raise the often ridiculous situations to something rich and strange.  Think of Ozu crossed with Jim Jarmusch.  Helsinki, a city with which I have a long acquaintance and special affection, is captured from a quirky angle that makes it seem extra special.  This was the director’s third film.  I urge all movie lovers to try at least one of them.

Clips with extraneous music