The latest from beloved Finnish director Aki Kaurismäki (LENINGRAD COWBOYS GO AMERICA, THE MAN WITHOUT A PAST, etc) looks at the European refugee crisis through his deeply humane, off-kilter lens, with the tale of a failed Helsinki businessman and a Syrian stowaway. "Makes a stonefaced, droll but paradoxically urgent case for a truth that desperately needs to survive these post-truth times: people are people and borders are bullshit." - The Playlist
"A film that talks about hope without pretension, while maintaining a defiant faith in human decency — not to mention the faith that cinema itself still has the ability to translate that decency, with humor and clarity, to the screen." - The Film Stage
"Has the stately pace and graceful precision of a movie from the 1930s, and democratic, anti-authoritarian politics that also evoke that era." - New York Times
"Kaurismaki unashamedly believes in brotherhood, and among other things his film celebrates people who do the right thing without making a big deal about it." - L.A. Times
"Using comedy to chase away the despair of modern life, The Other Side of Hope is a thoroughly satisfying and distinctively lovable film." - CineVue
SYNOPSIS: Displaced Syrian Khaled lands in Helsinki as a stowaway; meanwhile, middle-aged salesman Wikström leaves behind his wife and job and buys a conspicuously unprofitable seafood restaurant. After Khaled is denied asylum, he decides not to return to Aleppo—and the paths of the two men cross fortuitously. Not rated. 100 mins.
***Please note that NO OUTSIDE DRINKS OR FOOD are allowed inside Richards' Goat Tavern for legal reasons and violators of this rule may be banned from the theatre permanently. Cocktails, non-alcoholic beverages, popcorn, and cookies are available at the bar. If you are interested in one of our hot food specials, please show up at least 30 minutes early to finish it in the bar area, as hot food is not allowed inside the dark theatre for your safety. Thank you, see you at the movies!
