Fallen Leaves – Finland

Fallen Leaves tells the story of two lonely people (Alma Pöysti and Jussi Vatanen) who meet by chance in Helsinki one night and try to find the first, only, and ultimate love of their lives. Their path towards this honourable goal is clouded by the man’s alcoholism, lost phone numbers, and not knowing each other’s names or addresses, not to mention life’s general tendency to place obstacles in the way of those who seek happiness.  

This gentle tragicomedy, previously thought to be lost, is the fourth part of Aki Kaurismäki’s working-class trilogy (Shadows in Paradise, Ariel and The Match Factory Girl). 

The timeless story of Fallen Leaves is redolent with sorrow, nostalgia and the vanishing old Helsinki. Aki Kaurismäki’s film tells a simple story of a lonely woman, Ansa, and a man, Holappa, who meet and fall in love. But the budding relationship is threatened by his alcoholism. The Russian invasion of Ukraine serves as background noise to the film. It may only be heard in a few scenes via Ansa’s radio, but it echoes throughout. Fallen Leaves is very much Kaurismäki: pared down and seemingly of no great consequence, the director/screenwriter’s unique vision makes it grand. The flowing narration, humour and the director’s signature naïve romance are familiar elements, but this world of the past now unexpectedly meets a highly contemporary longing for optimism, which is brought to life by the fresh presence of Alma Pöysti and Jussi Vatanen, who play Ansa and Holappa. In the end, love and hope are what matter most. 

Aki Kaurismäki is a Finnish director who also writes and produces his films. For decades, he has been known around the world and his work has been distributed in many countries on every continent.  His latest film Fallen Leaves has been sold to over 70 countries and was the Finnish cinema’s biggest box-office hit last year. Kaurismäki has received many international prizes, the most significant of which are several Fipresci prizes, Berlinale’s Silver Bear, and Grand Prix and Prix de Jury at the Cannes Film Festival. 

Misha Jaari is one of the founders of the Helsinki-based production company Bufo, founded in 2007. Bufo's productions include Aki Kaurismäki's Golden Globe nominees Fallen Leaves and the Berlinale's Silver Bear winner The Other Side of Hope, Khadar Ayderus Ahmed's multi-award-winning The Gravedigger's Wife, Oscar winner Jörn Donner's Armi Alive! and Pirjo Honkasalo's Concrete Night. Bufo has also been part of a number of international co-productions. 

Mark Lwoff is one of the founders of the Helsinki-based production company Bufo, founded in 2007. Bufo's productions include Aki Kaurismäki's Golden Globe nominees Fallen Leaves and the Berlinale's Silver Bear winner The Other Side of Hope, Khadar Ayderus Ahmed's multi-award-winning The Gravedigger's Wife, Oscar winner Jörn Donner's Armi Alive! and Pirjo Honkasalo's Concrete Night. Bufo has also been part of a number of international co-productions. 

Original title: Kuolleet lehdet 

International title: Fallen Leaves 

Director: Aki Kaurismäki 

Screenwriter: Aki Kaurismäki 

Producers: Aki Kaurismäki, Misha Jaari, Mark Lwoff 

Co-producer: Reinhard Brundig 

Production companies: Sputnik Oy, Bufo 

Distribution company: B-Plan Distribution 

Premiere in home country: 15.09.23 

Length: 81 minutes.