The Man Without A Past (2002)

Film: The Man Without A Past

Director: Aki Kaurismäki

Country: Finland

Released: March 2002

Runtime: 97 minutes

Genre: Comedy

Studio: Sputnik Oy

Influenced: Roy Andersson, Alexander Payne, Steve Buscemi, Lone Scherfig, Ruben Östlund

Finnish director Aki Kaurismäki wrote and directed The Man Without A Past as part of his "Finland" trilogy, which also includes Drifting Clouds (1996) and Lights in the Dusk (2006). Along with his brother Mika, he began making short films in the 1980s, and together they co-founded the production company Villealfa Filmproductions. Inspired by the deadpan humour of Buster Keaton, as well as the minimalism of Bresson and the genre experimentation of Melville, Kaurismäki gained international recognition with films like Ariel (1988) and Leningrad Cowboys Go America (1989). His movies are often minimalist in style, employ non-professional actors and explore working-class themes, notably in his Proletariat Trilogy, consisting of Shadows in Paradise (1986), Ariel and The Match Factory Girl (1990). 

The Man Without A Past continues in this tradition, telling an emotionally resonant story with a minimalist approach, relying on subtle performances and a distinctive visual style. The story revolves around an unnamed man (Markku Peltola) who travels to Finland's capital, Helsinki. Shortly after his arrival, he is brutally attacked and left for dead by a gang of youths. Despite making a miraculous recovery, the man loses his memory and is left without a past. He begins to rebuild his life on the margins of society, forging new connections and finding love with a Salvation Army worker named Irma (Kati Outinen). True to Kaurismäki's signature style, the love affair is presented with deadpan humour and minimal dialogue. Instead, the director uses visual gestures to convey the emotional depth of the characters, including simple acts like sharing a cigarette or enjoying a meal together. 

Irma stands by her man as he faces challenges in his quest to regain a sense of identity, offering him her unwavering support and solidarity. Key themes in the movie are human resilience and the possibility of finding love and connection in unexpected places. The man adapts to living in a shipping container, showing an ability to create a home in unconventional circumstances, complete with a bed and a radio. As well as deadpan humour, there are moments of surrealism too, especially the regular appearance of the The Salvation Army band, adding an element of absurdity to the narrative. The soundtrack, featuring Finnish tango music and other eclectic choices, and the score, composed by Kaurismäki's longtime collaborator Anssi Tikanmäki, complement the film's unique atmosphere. Kaurismäki often collaborated with the Finnish band Leningrad Cowboys, and they play a notable role in the film. 

It's a wonderful movie with a satisfying and emotionally resonant finale, in which the man's past finally catches up with him. The Man Without A Past won the Grand Prix at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival, bringing international acclaim and renown to Kaurismäki. Kati Outinen, who plays the female lead in the film, also won the Best Actress Award at Cannes. On top of that, the film received an Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Language Film and won Best Film and Best Director at the European Film Awards. Kaurismäki's unique approach to cinematic storytelling has since evolved to take on a wider social focus, notably with a focus on the plight of immigrants, with films such as Le Havre (2011), which earned a nomination for the Palme d'Or at Cannes, and The Other Side of Hope (2017), part of Kaurismäki's unofficial "refugee trilogy", a timely exploration of the refugee crisis coupled with the director's characteristic deadpan humour.