Aki Kaurismäki’s 20^th feature, titled Fallen Leaves [+lire aussi :
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interview : Zaida Bergroth
fiche film], Four Little Adults [+lire aussi :
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interview : Selma Vilhunen
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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 [+lire aussi :
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fiche film] (2006) and Le Havre [+lire aussi :
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interview : Aki Kaurismäki
fiche film] (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.