This film is presented in Competition at the Cannes Film Festival 2023.
In this captivating romantic comedy-drama, two individuals embark on a quest for love. Immersed in a world where encounters are often fleeting and relationships complex, they navigate the ups and downs of searching for their soulmate. Amid moments of joy, heartbreak, and unexpected encounters, they discover that love can be found in the most unexpected places, and the path to happiness is filled with obstacles. Through humorous and poignant situations, this film explores the intricacies of modern love and the challenges faced by those yearning to find true love.
Finnish filmmaker Aki Kaurismäki makes his fifth appearance at Cannes, competing for the Palme d'Or with his latest film, "Les Feuilles Mortes" (Dead Leaves). Winner of the Grand Prix in 2002 for "The Man Without a Past," the director brings forth another creation infused with his tender and quirky universe, this time exploring universal themes of solidarity, hope, and above all, love.
In this gentle tragicomedy, two wandering and solitary souls, portrayed by Alma Pöysti and Jussi Vatanen, dream of the love of their lives. Their powerful and serendipitous encounter in the night in Helsinki is hindered by the trials of alcoholism, lost coordinates, and life's challenges that seem to thwart those aspiring to happiness.
Aki Kaurismäki envisions "Les Feuilles Mortes" as the fourth installment in his worker's trilogy, initiated with "Shadows in Paradise" (1986), followed by "Ariel" (1988), and "The Match Factory Girl" (1990). Each of these films, although tinged with despair, warmly depicts the themes of working-class disintegration and thwarted social aspirations. "Les Feuilles Mortes," while in competition, brings a touch of hope and emancipation to this social exploration, aligning itself with Kaurismäki's previous Cannes works.