The Other Side of Hope

Khaled, a young Syrian refugee, ends up in Helsinki. With hopes of a better future, he tries to seek political asylum, but unfortunately has to decide to dive into the illegal circuit. Fifty-something Wikström quits his job and leaves his alcoholic wife. Thanks to a winning game of poker, he amasses a small fortune with which he buys an offbeat restaurant somewhere on a backstreet in Helsinki. Wikström encounters Khaled in the courtyard of his restaurant. After a brief scuffle, the men strike up a conversation. Perhaps Wikström recognises something of himself in the battered man, as he decides to hire Khaled to come work for him. Besides, Wikström could use a dishwasher.

Director Aki Kaurismäki brings us a topical story about hope and humanity in his own unsurpassed and humorous way. For The Other Side of Hope (2018), Kaurismäki was awarded the Silver Bear for Best Direction at the Berlin International Film Festival.