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The Other Side of Hope
May. 9th, 2022 05:37 pmIt was only by chance that I spotted Kaurismaki's The Other Side of Hope in the TV listings: the BBC screened it in the very small hours of Sunday morning, and it didn't make the 'pick of the films' listings (they went with The Personal History of David Copperfield, which I also enjoyed, but which is more obvious...).
Thanks to the magic of the iPlayer, we watched it last night, and enjoyed it immensely. For once, I agree pretty much completely with Peter Bradshaw's review in the Guardian. The subject is uncomfortable (and timely), the reception and lives of refugees, but the deadpan delivery makes it bearable, and at times funny. The visuals are gorgeous: how can a man drinking alone in a closed restaurant, the light splashed across the wall behind him, look so good? It's generous with the music, too (here's a report which gives details).
I wouldn't call it a feel-good movie, but it ends on notes of happiness, and I was grateful for that.
Thanks to the magic of the iPlayer, we watched it last night, and enjoyed it immensely. For once, I agree pretty much completely with Peter Bradshaw's review in the Guardian. The subject is uncomfortable (and timely), the reception and lives of refugees, but the deadpan delivery makes it bearable, and at times funny. The visuals are gorgeous: how can a man drinking alone in a closed restaurant, the light splashed across the wall behind him, look so good? It's generous with the music, too (here's a report which gives details).
I wouldn't call it a feel-good movie, but it ends on notes of happiness, and I was grateful for that.
