The Other Side of Hope

Aki Kaurismäki, the Finnish filmmaker with deadpan wit and a minimalist style, continues his evolution from chronicling the bleak lives and soul-deadening jobs of the down and out to celebrating community and second chances in The Other Side of Hope, which he says is his last film. Syrian refugee Khaled (Sherwan Haji) arrives in Finland as a stowaway on a coal freighter (emerging black with dust) and requests asylum. Meanwhile, middle-aged salesman Wikström (Sakari Kuosmanen) leaves his hard-drinking wife, sells his business, and buys a failing restaurant, where he tries all sorts of cuisines and gimmicks to bring in customers. Although they cross paths briefly early on, their stories finally intersect when Khaled runs off after being denied asylum. Wikström gives Khaled a job and a place to stay and the offbeat restaurant family helps him find his sister, who was separated from Khaled during their journey. Like Kaurismaki's 2011 film Le Havre, this one also takes on the subjects of immigration and racism (a gang of skinheads targets Khaled because of his ethnicity), but it is hopeful rather than despairing, celebrating individual compassion and a community of eccentrics that lend a hand. A funny, touching, and timely film, this is highly recommended. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include press conference footage of director Aki Kaurismäki at the Berlin Film Festival (29 min.), an interview with star Sherwan Haji (15 min.), an “Aki and Peter” video essay by filmmaker Daniel Raim based on the 1997 essay by critic Peter von Bagh (12 min.), four music videos, and an essay by critic Girish Shambu. Bottom line: a solid extras package for this fine ripped-from-the-headlines bittersweet comedy.] (S. Axmaker)