18/04/2023 - Labelled as a “gentle tragicomedy about two people looking for love”, the picture stars Alma Pöysti and Jussi Vatanen in the leading roles

Alma Pöysti and Jussi Vatanen in Fallen Leaves (© Malla Hukkanen/Sputnik)

Aki Kaurismäki’s 20^th feature, titled Fallen Leaves [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile], has been selected to take part in the Official Competition of this year’s Cannes Film Festival (see the news). Described as “a gentle tragicomedy about two lonely people who meet by chance at night in Helsinki and try to find their first, only and last love”, the Finnish helmer’s latest outing stars Alma Pöysti (Tove [+see also:
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trailer
interview: Zaida Bergroth
film profile], Four Little Adults [+see also:
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interview: Selma Vilhunen
film profile]) and Jussi Vatanen (The Unknown Soldier [+see also:
trailer
film profile], Forest Giant [+see also:
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film profile]) in the leading roles.

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“With this film, Kaurismäki tips his hat to Bresson, Ozu and Chaplin, wanting to tell a story about the things that may lead humanity to a future: longing for love, solidarity, hope, and respect for another human being, nature and anything living or dead,” states the official press release published by the Finnish Film Foundation. The movie is inspired by the song “Les feuilles mortes” (lit. “Dead Leaves”), composed by Joseph Kosma with lyrics by Jacques Prévert.

Fallen Leaves was shot in Helsinki and is the master’s fourth film on the proletariat, after Shadows in Paradise (1986), Ariel (1988) and The Match Factory Girl (1990). Moreover, it is his fifth entry in the Official Competition of the Cannes Film Festival, after Drifting Clouds (1996), The Man Without a Past [+see also:
trailer
film profile] (2002, winner of the Grand Prix), Lights in the Dusk [+see also:
trailer
film profile] (2006) and Le Havre [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Aki Kaurismäki
film profile] (2011).

Fallen Leaves was produced by Sputnik (Finland) and Bufo (Finland), with Pandora Film (Germany) also on board. The Match Factory is in charge of its international sales. The project received support from the Finnish Film Foundation, and it was produced in co-operation with Finnish pubcaster YLE and ZDF/Arte.