February 2024

Showing: 8.45pm Feb 7  2024

Dir: Aki Kaurismäki

Cast: Awkwafina, Shuzhen Zhao, Tzi Ma, Diana Lin

FILM INFO:   100 minutes, USA, 2019, PG  (English/Mandarin)

Cast:

Alma Poysti, Jussi Vatanen, Alina Tomnikov

FILM INFO:   81 minutes, Finland, Germany, 2023

Cert:12A

In Helsinki, Ansa (Alma Pöysti) and Holappa (Jussi Vatanen) spend their lonely days in drab workplaces, bars full of stone faced patrons, and sparsely decorated homes. When they meet

randomly

at a karaoke bar, their chance of happiness together is threatened by Holappa’s dependence on alcohol.

Will they find their way back to each other?

Aki Kaurismäki (Le Havre, The Other Side of Hope) makes a masterful return in this hopeful and satisfying love story, typically melancholic, wryly humorous while also being life affirming and wonderful fun. Shot through Kaurismäki’s idiosyncratic lens, this tragicomedy is a reminder of the potency of movie going with homages to some of cinemas all time greats

including one of the director’s long time pals; Jim Jarmusch.

Festivals:

Cannes Film Festival 2023

Telluride Film Festival 2023

Toronto International Film Festival 2023

BFI London Film Festival 2023

Awards:

Winner FIPRESCI Film of the Year, Aki Kaurismäki: San Sebastián International Film Festival 2023 

Winner Jury Prize, Aki Kaurismäki : Cannes Film Festival 2023

Quotes:

★★★★ It’s romantic and sweet natured, in a deadpan style that in no way undermines orironises the emotions involved and with some sharp things to say about contemporary politics.

Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian

★★★★★ the crowd pleaser of the season

Tara Brady, The Irish Times

"The director is in a playfully reflective mood about his own work here, while also tipping his hat to the films and filmmakers who inspired him.’’

David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter