Syrian Khaled (Sherwan Haji), having washed up on Finland’s disconsolate shores in a coal container, is anxious about securing refugee status and remaining in the country when he crosses paths with middle-aged travelling shirt salesman Wikström (Sakari Kuosmanen, essaying the classic Kaurasmäki anti-hero type with aplomb), a glum guy who is about to leave his wife and change his life courtesy of some cash won in a card game. An unlikely friendship begins, and soon Khaled is working for Wikström at the latter’s new pipedream — a hilariously run-down and badly operated restaurant…
Talking Pictures is a monthly matinee series catering to the 55+ community. Patrons are encouraged to stay and chat about the movie and enjoy coffee and cookies on the house. Tickets are only $10, or two for $16.
[Kaurasmäki’s] films are gems of poker-faced comic absurdism, full of expressionless faces and gloomy rooms. That’s still the case with The Other Side of Hope, but… the beauty of [his latest work] is that Kaurismäki also manages to be touching and compassionate along the way… Wry humour sits alongside a persuasive vision of what it might mean to be a Syrian refugee in Finland, complete with fascist bullying and threats of violence. It’s a deeply humane film, as well as a quietly hilarious one.
Dave Calhoun, Time Out
The guiding ethic of The Other Side of Hope is as much topical as it universal: that altruism is not especially brave or courageous, but just the basic principle governing relations between human beings.
John Semley, Globe and Mail
It’s at once honest and artful, a touching and clearsighted declaration of faith in people and in movies.
AO Scott, New York Times
Aki Kaurismäki
Sherwan Haji, Sakari Kuosmanen, Janne Hyytiäinen, Ilkka Koivula, Nuppu Koivu, Simon Hussein Al-Bazoon
Finland
2017
In Finnish, English, and Arabic with English subtitles
Best Director, Berlin 17; FIPRESCI Grand Prix 17
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Credits
Screenwriter
Aki Kaurismäki
Cinematography
Timo Salminen
Editor
Samu Heikkilä
Production Design
Aki Kaurismäki
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