Hotly tipped to be this year's Finnish Oscar candidate, Aki Kaurismäki's (photo) French speaking Le Havre is making it to Finnish screens today (Future Film Distribution) after its Cannes competition entry and North American premiere last night in Toronto. The realistic fairy tale hailed by many reviewers as one of the Finnish master's finest and most emotionally-satisfying works. Kaurismäki spoke to us.
Why did you choose to set your pamphlet on illegal immigration in French Le Havre, not in Finland where there are over 22 asylum seekers centres?
The story could happen in any European country but the place had to be a harbor town. I drove through all the coastline of Mediterranean from Italy to Gibraltar and then the coastline of Portugal, Spain and France in this side of the Atlantic Ocean. I found Le Havre the best city for the shooting of the film.
Was it difficult to direct French actors and to get Kati Outinen to speak in French...even your dog Laika??
It is never a problem to direct professional actors, French is easy as Esperanto and my wife took care of the dog.
In line with your previous work, Le Havre features socially marginal characters but it is more optimistic by showing a community tied together by fraternity. Was it important for you to show positive ‘heroes' in today's world where the gap is widening between Haves and Have Nots?
I find our culture and world, as we know it now, hanging so near the edge that I feel better if the possible spectators get one or two laughs or at least a smile for their ticket.
With your company Sputnik OY you also help other voices find an audience, such as Mantas Kvedaravicius and his documentary Barzakh that shed a light on the Chechnyan drama...
I don´ t actively produce for others, but I help when I find the idea important.
Are you pleased to see that Finnish cinema - including documentaries like Reindeerspotting - are gaining popularity at home?
Very pleased, especially remembering the sad years of 80´s and 90´s.
Le Havre is tipped to be the Finnish Oscar candidate this year. Until now, you had been boycotting the US. Is Obama's America a more acceptable place where to set foot?
Le Havre is one of many films among which somebody is going to choose the Finnish representative for that beauty contest. I rebuilt my personal boycott since the US troops came out of Iraq and war criminals out of the US government."
(Interview by Annika Pham)