The Other Side of Hope, a new film directed by Aki Kaurismäki and co-produced by Bufo, will have its premiere in cinemas in Finland on February 3rd 2017. The film, titled Toivon tuolla puolen in Finnish and shot in early autumn in Helsinki, tells the story of a Finnish travelling salesman (Sakari Kuosmanen) and a Syrian refugee (Sherwan Haji) crossing paths. The film also stars, among others, Janne Hyytiäinen, Nuppu Koivu, Ilkka Koivula, Simon Hussein Al-Bazoon, Kaija Pakarinen, Kati Outinen, Tommi Korpela and Tuomari Nurmio.
The Other Side of Hope is the second instalment in Kaurismäki’s trilogy focusing on port cities, which began with Le Havre. The film is produced by Sputnik in co-production with Bufo, and is shot on 35mm film by Timo Salminen. The film has been made with the support of The Finnish Film Foundation, Finland 100 programme and The Church Media Foundation, and with the participation of YLE Co-productions and ZDF / Arte. The film will be distributed in Finland by B-Plan Distribution and international sales are handled by The Match Factory.