The Working Class Trilogy: Ariel

by Aki Kaurismäki

The Working Class Trilogy: Ariel

Synopsis

»Ariel« is dedicated to the memory of Finnish reality. The film begins as an unemployment story, picking up romantic overtones before turning into a description of prison life completed with a break-out, and finally becoming a crime tale. It portrays Western reality with passionate, sad strokes. Stylistically, the film toes the line between realism and black comedy. The result is a film as dark and beautiful as a September evening.

»Ariel« is an exciting film. So stylish and so finely tuned that it is pure enjoyment to watch, it is nevertheless locked into such strict realities, that it does not deceive while delighting. (Helsingin Sanomat, 1988)

Director

Aki Kaurismäki, writer, director, editor and producer. Born in Finland 4.4.1957, but...

Films as a director:

1981
»The Saimaa Gesture«
(Co-Dir. with Mika Kaurismäki)

1983
»Crime And Punishment«

1985
»Calamari Union«

1986
»Shadows In Paradise«
»Rocky VI« (Short)

1987
»Hamlet Goes Business«
»Thru The Wire« (Short)
»L.A.Woman« (Short)
»Rich Little Bitch« (Short)

1988
»Ariel«

1989
»Leningrad Cowboys Go America«
»Dirty Hands« (TV Film)

1990
»The Match Factory Girl«
»I Hired A Contract Killer«

1991
»Those Were The Days« (Short)
»These Boots« (Short)

1992
»La Vie De Boheme«

1993
»Total Balalaika Show - Helsinki Concert« (Documentary)

1994
»Take Care Of Your Scarf - Tatjana«
»Leningrad Cowboys Meet Moses«

1996
»Drifting Clouds«

1998
»Juha«

2002
»The Man Without A Past«, »Dogs Have No Hell« (Short)

2004
»Bico« (Short)

2006
»Lights In The Dusk«

Cast

Turo Pajala
Susanna Haavisto
Matti Pellonpää
Eetu Hilkamo

Crew

Producer: Aki Kaurismäki
Script: Aki Kaurismäki
Camera: Timo Salminen
Sound: Jouko Lumme
Editing: Raija Talvio
A production of Villealfa Productions Oy

Technical Data

Format: 35 mm / colour / Dolby Stereo
Length: 74 min.
Original version: Finnish

The Working Class Trilogy: Ariel
The Working Class Trilogy: Ariel

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