Fallen Leaves is the story of two non-romantics falling into hope together. It follows Ansa (Älma Poysti) as she tries to get back on her feet and Holappa (Jussi Vatanen), a wannabe-‘tough-guy’ drunk who seems determined to stay off his. By way of their respective hilarious confidantes, their paths and hearts become entwined. The film’s idealistic and sensitive portrayal of love works so well because the world in the background seems so bleak: Work is hard to come by, reports of the Ukrainian war have taken the place of music on the radio, and it seems the vast majority of the population resigned to numb themselves with a life of joyless alcoholism.

Interestingly, Fallen Leaves does reveal an uncomfortably intimate portrait of a city that has lost its cultural identity. And yet despite this, the expert cinematography casts the industrial state in a strange and beautiful light; director Aki Karusmaki creates glorious living landscapes of steel and steam that consistently wow and terrify (threatening, at points, to steel the show?) Perhaps the director intended to create a metaphor for globalisation (and thus further encourage the film's subtext). If so, it lands. This sense of scale and insignificance amplifies the preciousness of Ansa and Holappa’s connection. With the weight of great melancholy in the background, the emotional stakes run high. Every word, gesture, and look is defiantly guarded. The film stands to reassert the old virtue of using simplicity and authenticity in equal measure to convey more with less. This tasteful balance of tension creates an endearing and realistic connection between the fundamentally wounded lovers. One of the really pleasant elements of this film comes across because the two leads are more than narrative devices. A happy ending is certainly not guaranteed; these characters carry with them their own burdens and expectations, through which they attempt to navigate.

The film exudes charm through its understated self-awareness, openly showcasing its craftsmanship: Characters, settings, and feelings are colour-coded, the soundtrack’s lyrics explicitly enforce the themes, and it references other films and clichés. Each element is simplistic but well-executed. Ultimately, the atmosphere Fallen Leaves cultivates is another honest and charming character, alongside the rest of the cast. This attention to detail, paired with the cultural vacuum present in the background impresses a reverence for the delicacy of the lead’s lives.

All in all, Fallen Leaves is a contemporary achievement that succeeds in making you both think and feel at the same time, because it’s clear that so much thought and feeling has gone into its craft. If you’re a fan of foreign films and love stories which make space to talk about more than just that, this is the movie for you.

3.5 out of 5 stars

Fallen Leaves is currently screening at UWA Somerville Auditorium from Mon 8 – Sun 14 Jan as part of the Perth Festival Lotterywest Film Season. Click here for more details.