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IMDb > Ariel (1988)
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Overview

User Rating:
7.7/10   1,450 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 4% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writer:
Aki Kaurismäki (writer)
Contact:
View company contact information for Ariel on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
October 1990 (USA) more
Genre:
Plot:
The movie tells the story of Taisto Kasurinen, a finnish coal miner whose father has just committed... more | add synopsis
Awards:
3 wins & 1 nomination more
NewsDesk:
(2 articles)
Shadows In Paradise Ariel The Match Factory Girl
 (From The AV Club. 28 October 2008, 9:01 PM, PDT)

On DVD: Aki Kaurismäki's Proletariat Trilogy, "Shadow"
 (From IFC. 23 September 2008, 11:36 AM, PDT)

User Comments:
You Won't Be Harshed more (13 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
Turo Pajala ... Taisto Kasurinen
Susanna Haavisto ... Irmeli Pihlaja
Matti Pellonpää ... Mikkonen
Eetu Hilkamo ... Riku
Erkki Pajala ... Kaivosmies
Matti Jaaranen ... Pahoinpitelijä
Hannu Viholainen ... Apuri
Jorma Markkula ... Prikkamies
Tarja Keinänen ... Nainen Satamassa
Eino Kuusela ... Mies rannalla
Kauko Laalo ... Asuntolanhoitaja
Jyrki Olsonen ... Mies Asuntolassa
Esko Nikkari ... Autokauppias
Marja Packalén ... Tuomari (as Marja Packalen)
Mikko Remes ... Vankilalääkäri
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Ariel (USA)
more
Runtime:
73 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Eastmancolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Aki Kaurismäki wrote the script over a weekend. more
Quotes:
Taisto Olavi Kasurinen: [Taisto is discussing with his cell-mate] Listen, Mikkonen!
Mikkonen: I don't think I can help it.
Taisto Olavi Kasurinen: I have decided to get out of here soon.
Mikkonen: I see. How?
Taisto Olavi Kasurinen: Don't know yet. Somehow.
Mikkonen: Getting out of here is no big deal, many people have made it. But they've been brought back and ended up doing twice as much time as before. That's because they have stayed here or gone to Sweden. Or headed to the nearest bar and got loaded. You've got to go further away. Italy or Africa, first at least.
Taisto Olavi Kasurinen: I've been thinking about Mexico or Brazil.
Mikkonen: Even better. But that costs money. You really think that I haven't planned it all a hundred times? First you nedd three grand for a passport and ten more for the seamen to hide you in the cargo ans to put you off somewhere around the equator. But it's dangerous. If the cargo begins to shift in a storm... Many have died that way. You must go underground until you get a passport and find the right ship.
Taisto Olavi Kasurinen: How many years do you have left?
Mikkonen: Eight years, for manslaughter. But I'm innocent.
[...]
more
Movie Connections:
Followed by Tulitikkutehtaan tyttö (1990) more
Soundtrack:
Tangotyttö more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
4 out of 5 people found the following comment useful.
You Won't Be Harshed, 20 September 2008
9/10
Author: ozdavidson from Venice, CA

Something of a small masterpiece, Ariel is reminiscent of Robert Bresson's L'Argent and Werner Herzog's Stroszek in its restraint and progressively doleful turn of events. But cheer up! This is not your ordinary mellow harshing Euro fare. Yes, there is unemployment, yes there is suicide, yes there is great injustice and inhumanity. It would be dull to only speak of a film's pleasing, peaceful moments, and they are to be found here too. You get the whole symphony here, handled with a light touch and delivered in a neutral, understated fashion.

This film won't assault your senses, but subtly it will begin to work its charm. This arises through the minimal dialogue, expression, and simplicity of the mis en scene. As with most minimalism, small details and moments accumulate at story's end, which creates a very rewarding effect. Kaurismaki understands the power of evenhandedness and understatement. I hope he charms you as he has charmed me.

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