The ever-poker-faced Ilona loses her job as a restaurant hostess, as her tram driver husband, Lauri, also finds himself out of work. Together they must hit the streets of Helsinki, facing up to hardship and humiliation in their quest for survival, guided through the gloom by a ray of hope.
Acting
Kati Outinen's face does more acting than most Oscar speeches.
Direction
Kaurismäki's static frames make poverty look like art.
Production
Helsinki has never looked more beautifully, tragically gray.
Director
Aki Kaurismäki
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
FI
