Fallen Leaves + intro

Following its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in 2023, where it won the Jury Prize, Fallen Leaves proved to be one of recent cinema’s greatest pleasures. Set in modern-day Helsinki, the film tells the story of Ansa and Holappa, two lonely souls whose chance meeting at a local karaoke bar is beset by numerous hurdles. 

Whilst Kaurismäki utilises his usual deadpan style, from framing the character of Ansa in wintery windows and among the autumnal leaves of the title, he also echoes Douglas Sirk’s All the Heaven Allows – continuing his use and admiration of a Sirkian mise en scène.

Event/ This screening will be introduced by Andy Willis, Professor of Film Studies at University of Salford and Senior Visiting Curator: Film at HOME.