Finnish film for this month’s movie club

The Phillip Island Movie Club presents Fallen Leaves at Berninneit on March 6, starting at 7pm.

The 2023 comedy/drama is a Finnish film directed by the legendary Aki Kaurismaki who wrote, directed and produced this film set in modern-day Helsinki, where two lonely souls in search of love meet by chance in a local karaoke bar.

However, the pair's path to happiness is beset by numerous obstacles – from lost numbers to mistaken addresses, alcoholism, and a charming stray dog.

To get the most from this film you need to understand where Kaurismaki is coming from. He writes subversive, anti-capitalistic stories featuring working class people, showing economic decline and life on the edge, in a matter of fact, droll way. While this may sound like his films are boring, they are far from boring, as his characters have a sense of hope and are always striving for love.

Although his films are set in the current time, he always uses the 1970/80s mise-en-scene, showing his obsession with the past. He loves retro and all his films have rock and roll, vintage sunglasses, flat TVs and lots of smoking.

His subversiveness comes out in this film when he subliminally shows the fear of the working class living on a border with Russia, in radio news about the invasion of Ukraine.

Kaurismaki won the Cannes Jury Award 2023. Fallen Leaves is a humanistic film with dark humour and ends with hope.

The film will start at 7pm and you should prebook your seat prior to the night.

All PIMC films are members-only events so you need to bring your membership card and proof of booking.

Fallen Leaves runs for 81mins and is rated M.