In modern-day Helsinki, two lonely souls in search of love meet by chance in a karaoke bar. However, their path to happiness is beset by obstacles - from lost phone numbers to mistaken addresses, alcoholism, and a charming stray dog.
“It’s a film with a big heart that fills you with a feelgood glow.” (The Guardian)
Genre: comedy, drama
Language: Finnish, Arabic, subtitles: English
Set against the backdrop of the war in neighboring Ukraine, two people search for love and connection in director Kaurismäki's latest film. Kaurismäki is known for his dark humor and for depicting the harsher and less poetic side of life.
The film’s two main characters meet by chance on an average night in Helsinki. Both are looking for the first, only and ultimate love of their lives. Achieving this goal together proves to be difficult due to his alcohol consumption, lost phone numbers and not knowing each other's names or addresses. Life's general tendency to throw obstacles in the way of those who seek happiness doesn't help either.
Be prepared for some awkward conversations, a lot of silences, and some dark and sometimes brutal humor. And don’t forget to look for clues like a pile of cigarette butts on the floor.
Comment from the director: “Although I have so far made my questionable reputation by making mainly irrelevant violent films, I finally decided, tormented by all the senseless, unnecessary and criminal wars, to write a story about the themes through which humanity might have a future: the longing for love, solidarity, hope, and respect for other people, nature and anything living or dead. With the precondition that the subject deserves it.
In this film, I casually tip my too-small hat to my household gods Bresson, Ozu and Chaplin, but I am still solely responsible for this catastrophic failure.”
Awards
Cannes Film festival: Nominated for the Palme d’Or and winner of the Jury Prize.
Golden Globes: Nominated for Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy (Alma Pöysti) and Nominated for Best Motion Picture, Non-English Language.
Reviews
“Fallen Leaves is the best big-screen romance of the year even though its prospective lovers exchange only a handful of words and, for most of the film, don’t know each other’s names.” The Associated Press
“Fallen Leaves casts an irresistible spell, one that’s as playful as it is full of longing and pathos.”Washington Post
“A film with a big heart that fills you with a feelgood glow.” The Guardian.
Ticket information
This film will be shown at Filmhuis De Zwarte Doos. Buying a ticket online in advance is mandatory if you want to attend this film. You can buy a ticket by clicking on the black “order” button on this page.
Please note: you can only buy a ticket online; tickets cannot be purchased with cash or bank card at the ticket counter.
For more general information about tickets, refund policies, etc., please click here.
Please be on time
The screening of the film starts at 19:30 sharp (no pre-film advertisements) and the cinema hall opens at 19:10. We kindly ask you to be at the ticket counter at least 10 minutes prior to the start of the film. This is to ensure the film starts and ends on time.
The Studium Generale film program is selected in collaboration with the Student Film Committee and Natlab.