Fallen Leaves

Fallen Leaves is a 2023 Finnish-German comedy-drama film written and directed by Aki Kaurismäki. It is Kaurismäki's 20th full-length film and a continuation of his Proletariat series, which was originally planned as a trilogy and already includes Shadows in Paradise (1986), Ariel (1988), and The Match Factory Girl (1990). Alma Pöysti and Jussi Vatanen star in the main roles. The film is produced by Sputnik and Bufo. The film competed for the Palme d'Or at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Jury Prize. It is also selected as the Finnish entry for the Best International Feature Film award at the upcoming 96th Academy Awards. Synopsis Ansa (which means 'trapped' in Finnish), is single and lives in Helsinki. She works on a zero-hour contract in a supermarket, stocking the shelves; later she sorts recyclable plastic. One night she accidentally meets the equally lonely worker Holappa, an alcoholic. Against all odds and misunderstandings, they try to build a relationship. As a result, Holappa manages to get his alcohol addiction under control. According to Alma Pöysti, the female lead, "the film is about lonely people with baggage, who meet later in life. It takes courage to fall in love later in life." It has been described as a tragicomedy. Cast Alma Pöysti as Ansa Jussi Vatanen as Holappa Janne Hyytiäinen as Huotari Nuppu Koivu as Liisa Matti Onnismaa Simon Al-Bazoon Martti Suosalo as Ansa's boss Alma-Koira Sakari Kuosmanen Maria Heiskanen Alina Tomnikov Maustetytöt Juho Kuosmanen Sherwan Haji