Aki Kaurismäki’s latest offering, “Fallen Leaves,” unfolds as a gentle journey through the streets of Helsinki, casting a loving gaze upon the lives of its working-class protagonists, Ansa and Holappa. The film marks the renowned director’s fourth exploration into a world where love and humor bloom amidst the everyday struggles of the proletariat, defying the standard narrative that often confines such characters within the realm of their labor.
Alma Pöysti steps into the role of Ansa with a vulnerability that is both palpable and necessary for her character. Engaging in a recent Zoom call interview with The Hindu, Pöysti elaborated on her experience working with Kaurismäki, emphasizing the importance of stripping away one’s defenses. “You have to just take away all the layers, all the masks and be as bare and pure and honest as possible and dare to let the camera in on that,” she articulates. Her confidence in Kaurismäki’s vision isn’t misplaced; his storied career breeds a sense of trust that facilitated her performance.
Before gracing the screen as Ansa, Pöysti immersed herself in Kaurismäki’s cinematic universe, watching his past triumphs such as “Shadows in Paradise” (1986), “Ariel” (1988), and “The Match Factory Girl” (1990). Meanwhile, “Fallen Leaves” manages to distinguish itself through its unique filmic tongue, which harkens back to bygone times—a sentiment furthered by Kaurismäki’s choice to employ old 35 mm film cameras for its creation.
Her co-star, Jussi Vatanen, who portrays Holappa, shared insights into the old-school filmmaking experience during the shoot. “Aki told us before he started that would like to do everything in one take only, and that was pretty much the case. We didn’t always succeed in it, but that was the goal,” Vatanen recounted, painting a picture of the initial terror and subsequent thrill of working under Kaurismäki’s tutelage. The challenge, akin to the excitement of new love, eventually bore the fruit of exhilaration.
Forging an emotional connection with audiences without relying heavily on dialogue, “Fallen Leaves” entrusts its visual storytelling to carry the narrative weight. Pöysti finds beauty in the minimalist approach, “It’s been curious to see how little you can do to tell a story, expression-wise. It may not go wide, but maybe it goes deep.”
The film’s resonance is also amplified by the presence of a stellar supporting cast. Among the memorable moments for Pöysti was a scene between Ansa and her colleague Liisa, portrayed by Nuppu Koivu. As Ansa faces the harsh reality of job loss, the solidarity shown by her peers becomes a poignant symbol of camaraderie and resistance within an oppressive system.
This segment of the film personifies a key message of “Fallen Leaves,” delivering an exemplar of humanity’s capacity for tenderness and support amidst hardship. It’s these very interrelations that smoothen life’s sharper edges according to Pöysti, embodying the core theme that Kaurismäki weaves throughout the film.
As “Fallen Leaves” draws to a close, it leaves us on a note of cautious optimism. Though it’s clear that Ansa and Holappa have found solace in one another, the ambiguity of their future is left hanging in the air. The actors themselves, however, hold steadfast confidence in their characters’ bond. Vatanen expresses his belief that while there may be challenges ahead, the couple is likely to persevere. Pöysti concurs, asserting that the duo’s shared hardships have built a relationship not easily discarded.
“Fallen Leaves” is set to join the catalogue of cinematic experiences available on the streaming platform Mubi starting January 19. This Finnish narrative, and indeed the world it encapsulates, invites viewers to contemplate the beauty of life’s simplicities and the strength of human connection.
