The Man Without a Past (2002)
"Mies vailla menneisyyttä" (original title)

The second part of Aki Kaurismäki's "Finland" trilogy, the film follows a man who arrives in Helsinki and gets beaten up so severely he develops amnesia. Unable to remember his name or ... See full summary »

Director:

Aki Kaurismäki

Writer:

Aki Kaurismäki

Stars:

Markku Peltola, Kati Outinen, Juhani Niemelä

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 20 wins & 21 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Markku Peltola	...	M
Kati Outinen	...	Irma
Juhani Niemelä	...	Nieminen
Kaija Pakarinen	...	Kaisa Nieminen
Sakari Kuosmanen	...	Anttila
Annikki Tähti	...	Manager of Flea Market
Anneli Sauli	...	Bar Owner
Elina Salo	...	Dock Clerk
Outi Mäenpää	...	Bank Clerk
Esko Nikkari	...	Bank Robber
Pertti Sveholm	...	Police Detective
Matti Wuori	...	Layer
Aino Seppo	...	Ex-wife
Janne Hyytiäinen	...	Ovaskainen
Antti Reini	...	Electrician

Storyline

The second part of Aki Kaurismäki's "Finland" trilogy, the film follows a man who arrives in Helsinki and gets beaten up so severely he develops amnesia. Unable to remember his name or anything from his past life, he cannot get a job or an apartment, so he starts living on the outskirts of the city and slowly starts putting his life back on track.

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Plot Keywords:

amnesia | unconsciousness | food | police | bum | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Drama | Music | Romance | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some violence

Details

Official Sites:

Official website [us] Pandora Film [de]

Country:

Finland Germany France

Language:

Finnish

Release Date:

6 November 2002 (France)

Also Known As:

The Man Without a Past

Filming Locations:

Helsinki, Finland

Box Office

Budget:

FIM 8,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$23,281 (USA) (4 April 2003)

Gross:

$921,547 (USA) (19 September 2003)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bavaria Film, Pandora Filmproduktion, Pyramide Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Chosen by "Telerama" (France) as one of the 10 best pictures of 2002 (#01, tied with "Hable con ella")

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Goofs

The Helsinki railway station's extension roof is clearly visible at the opening scene, but it hadn't been build yet in 1996 (the year can be read from the newspaper).

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Quotes

Anttila: Where are you going?
M: Home.

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Connections

Followed by Lights in the Dusk (2006)

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Soundtracks

"Veto"
Performed by Antero Jakoila
(Antero Jakoila)
Published by Love Music Publishing
(P) & © 2000 Love Kustannus
Licensed courtesy of Love Kustannus

User Reviews

A stunning work of art.

I am not familiar at all with the work of this director at all so I was unsure what to expect from this movie when seeing it as part of the Regus London Film Festival on tour.

I needn't have worried. This film is very touching and in many places laugh out loud funny. The scene where the dog is introduced is just side-splitting.

The humour is so dry and it is very hard to compare this film with many other films, but for some reason it reminded me a little of Jean-Pierre Jeunet's Delicatessen, especially some of the colours in the set design.

I understand this film is the second part of a trilogy? I simply have to see more stuff from this guy, I feel like I have missed out in a big, big way!

If you get the chance, don't hesitate to see this film, it is simply a work of art. I for one will be going to see it again when it goes on general release next year.