Aki Kaurismaki wins best director at the 2017 Berlin Film Festival for his film, The Other Side of Hope. This film is the story of a Syrian refugee who travels to Finland. The refugee named Khaled (played by Sherwan Haji) hides in a freighter heading to Helsinki to apply for Asylum. When his application is denied he is taken in by a traveling salesman names Wikstorm. The Other Side of Hope is the highest reviewed film at this years Berlin Film Festival and is said to be the second of a planned film trilogy focusing on immigration.
Kaurismaki has previously directed 18 feature length films, starting his career in 1983 with the film, Crime and Punishment. He is best known for directing the Oscar nominated dramedy, The Man Without a Past. He has also been a very influential director with his style of shooting. He is well known for his long single shots and his deadpan style. We here at Reel Talk congratulate Aki Kaurismaki on this award.
