Ariel (1988)

In the remote fringes of Finland, Taisto Kasurinen, a hardworking coal miner, finds his world shattered when his sole source of livelihood, the mine, shuts down. The echoes of his father's suicide still fresh, he embarks on a journey to Helsinki, armed with the parting gift of his father's dilapidated convertible, the roof forever retracted, mirroring the open-ended path that lies ahead. With only a handful of coins and an unwavering spirit, Taisto battles his way through a series of odd jobs and unforeseen misadventures. As he navigates the labyrinth of life in Helsinki, he crosses paths with Irmeli Pihlaja, a resilient single mother juggling multiple jobs to make ends meet. Their worlds collide, and they swiftly tumble into a whirlwind romance, dreaming of a simple life together. But their plans are derailed when Taisto is wrongfully implicated in a crime, landing him behind bars. Here, within the cold, confining walls of the prison, he begins to dream of escape, of leaving everything behind for a fresh start. Taisto's audacious escape from prison unfolds, but the road to freedom is far from smooth. With his dreams of a life with Irmeli hanging in the balance, he must confront the lengths he's willing to go to secure their future. As he grapples with the reality of his choices, he must redefine his end goal, contemplating what it truly means for him, Irmeli, and her young son. As the plot thickens, viewers are left to ponder - will the resilient miner from the fringes of Finland find his happily ever after in the bustling heart of Helsinki, or will his dreams remain just that, dreams? Ariel is a poignant exploration of love, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of a better life.

Ariel is a comedy movie featuring Turo Pajala.

Ariel is currently streaming on Criterion Channel.