Essential Kaurismäki: Selected by David Stratton screens at the Art Gallery of New South Wales and Dendy Opera Quays cinema from June 6 until June 17 as part of the Sydney Film Festival. However, this program of films will also be screened at ACMI from June 14 until June 30 so Melbournites don’t miss out. This is followed by screenings in Canberra from June 29 to July 10.
The program is made of ten of Kaurismäki’s finest films; Crime and Punishment, La Vie de Boheme, Shadows in Paradise, Drifting Clouds, Ariel, The Man without a Past, Leningrad Cowboys Go America, Lights in the Dusk, The Match Factory Girl, and Le Havre.
Since starting his career, Kaurismäki has become Finland’s most celebrated filmmaker as his films provide criticism on society and focus on the lives of ordinary people overcoming difficulty.
Stratton is renowned critic and broadcaster who has formerly directed the Sydney Film Festival. With many awards and titles behind him, Stratton has been on the jury for Cannes, Venice and Berlin’s film festivals. “Kaurismäki is the complete auteur, producing, directing, scripting and usually editing his films,” says Stratton. “A master of the deadpan, the dialogue in his films is laced with stoic humour.”
