  Shadows Of Paradise |
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Film/Video SHADOWS OF PARADISE (VARJOJA PARATIISISSA) DIRECTED BY AKI KAURISMÄKI SATURDAY, JANUARY 24, 2004, 7 PM $7 ($5 WALKER MEMBERS) AUDITORIUM 
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In this bleakest of black comedies, Kaurismäki brings together two desperate souls seeking a way out of their dismal existence. Nikander, an ex-butcher and garbage man, finds a way out of his day-to-day routine through his relationship with Ilona, a supermarket cashier. Things aren't much more exciting on their dates in bingo halls, but when they decide to escape their gloomy lives, ironic twists ensue. 1986, Finland, color, 35mm, in Finnish with English subtitles, 76 minutes.
WITH
 Take Care Of Your Scarf, Tatjana |
TAKE
CARE OF YOUR SCARF, TATJANA (PIDÄ HUIVISTA KIINNI, TATJANA), 8:30
PM
Kaurismäki's rarely screened road film is filled with the pleasures
and pain of communication. Coffee fanatic Valto hits the highway with
his rocker friend Reino with no agenda. Along the way they pick up two
immigrants, the wide-eyed Estonian Tatjana and the curvaceous Russian
Klaudia. As no one speaks the other's language, they bond through their
shared appreciation of alcohol, coffee, and cigarettes. 1994, Finland/Germany,
BW, 35mm, in Finnish with English subtitles, 62 minutes.
THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE BY THE FINNISH FILM
FOUNDATION WITH SPECIAL THANKS TO JAANA PUSKALA, ARETTA VÄHÄLÄ,
MARI PELTONEN, AKI KAURISMÄKI, HAIJE TULOKAS, ILKKA MERTSOLA (SPUTNIK
OY), THORSTEN SCHAUMANN (BAVARIA FILM), GARY PALMUCCI (KINO INTERNATIONAL),
AND BAM CINÉMATEK FOR ORGANIZING THE TRAVELING RETROSPECTIVE. PETER
VON BAGH AND ROGER CONNAH APPEAR COURTESY OF THE GOVERNMENT OF FINLAND/DAVID
AND NANCY SPEER PROFESSORSHIP IN FINNISH AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA.
PHOTOS COURTESY THE FINISH FILM FOUNDATION