Arguably the most famous or well-known filmmaker out of Finland, director Aki Kaurismäki, has made a career out of the deadpan; absurdist comedies with minimalism, sometimes defined by Shakespearean tragedy, very still minimal camera and witty drollery. The films of his that have a larger comedic bent have said to have a lot of kinship with the films of Jim Jarmusch. Since 1983, Kaurismäki has directed over a dozen features and his latest is “Fallen Leaves” which made a triumphant and well-received return to the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year where it won the esteemed Jury Prize.
His 20th full-length film (approximately) and a continuation of his Proletariat series, “Fallen Leaves” was initially planned as a trilogy and already includes “Shadows in Paradise” (1986), “Ariel” (1988), and “The Match Factory Girl” (1990). Alma Pöysti and Jussi Vatanen star in the leading roles as two lonely people who meet each other by chance in the Helsinki night and try to find the first love of their lives.
Here’s the official synopsis:
Award-winning filmmaker Aki Kaurismäki (Le Havre, The Other Side of Hope) makes a masterful return with FALLEN LEAVES, a timeless, hopeful and ultimately satisfying love story about two lonely souls’ path to happiness – and the numerous hurdles they encounter along the way. Set in contemporary Helsinki, and shot through with Kaurismäki’s typically playful, idiosyncratic style and deadpan humor, this tender romantic tragicomedy is a timely reminder of the potency of movie-going from one of cinema’s living legends. Winner of the Jury Prize at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival.
“Fallen Leaves” opens in theaters on November 17 via MUBI. Watch the latest teaser trailer below.