Xixax Film Forum

Alma Pöysti and Jussi Vatanen co-star as two lonely people who meet each other by chance in the Helsinki night and try to find the first, only, and ultimate love of their lives. Their path is clouded by the man's alcoholism, lost phone numbers, not knowing each other's names or addresses, and life's general tendency to place obstacles in the way of those seeking happiness.

Written and Directed by Aki Kaurismäki
In theaters November 17, 2023 via Mubi

In theaters November 17, 2023

Took home Silver Hugo Winner - Best Director in Chicago FF's International Feature Film Competition!

Slow-drip, precipice-dangling humor. Synthesizes the texture and pace of a film from the 1930s and sets it starkly in 2023 Finland.

Locked-off shots, sculpted shadows, and a classic sensibility toward color paints working-class despair against our time-out-of-joint predicament. All of history at our fingertips, and cycles just keep on repeating.

So, our fragile hopes carry us on.

Loved this beautiful little movie. One of my favourites from last year. The contrast between the inscrutability of the performances and the passionate formalism of the filmmaking – particularly in the shots where the camera pointedly focuses on characters' hands as they perform decisive or emotionally-impelled actions – reminded me of Bresson.