Aki Kaurismäki (Le Havre; The Other Side of Hope) presents a playful working-class love story where companionship is the only respite from the grimness of life. Ansa (Alma Pöysti) and Holappa (Jussi Vatanen) both have their troubles keeping down a job. Holappa takes to the bottle on and off work; Ansa relaxes at home as her radio reports on the latest atrocities happening in Kiev. A chance meeting between the two loners leads to a romance deferred, again and again and again. In the quiet space of their longing and connection, Kaurismäki slips in a steady stream of deadpan gags, always finding levity in the heaviness, reprieve in the burden, for a kind of barebones romantic comedy that sneaks up on you with its heart and humor. ~TW. Fallen Leaves won the Jury Prize at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, and is Finland’s entry to the 2024 Academy Awards.
*** Preceded by the newly restored 1927 classic Laurel and Hardy 17 minute short The Battle of the Century – undoubtedly the best pie fight you will ever see ***