The Match Factory Girl
Tulitikkutehtaan Tyttö
Aki Kaurismäki
Iris works in a match factory and dreams of a prince charming. One night, she meets Aarne, a wealthy business man, that abandons her after their first night together. Iris is pregnant and plans to have the baby, though those around her decide otherwise. But she'll have her revenge...
With : Kati Outinen, Elina Salo, Esko Nikkari, Vesa Vieirikko, Reijo Taipale Silu Seppala, Outi Maenpaa, Marja Packalen, Richard Reitinger, Helga Viijanen, Mans Heydemann, Kurt Siilas, Ismo Keinanen
Screenplay : Aki Kaurismäki
Image : Timo Salminen
Sound : Jouko Lumme
Editing : Aki Kaurismäki
Screenplay : Aki Kaurismäki
Image : Timo Salminen
Sound : Jouko Lumme
Editing : Aki Kaurismäki
Production : Villealfa Film Productions, The Swedish Film Institute, Esselte Video AB, Finnkino Oy
Distribution: Pyramide
Distribution: Pyramide
"The directing is unfailing. Kaurismäki maintains his characteristic detachment from beginning to end. His cold behaviourism could be seen as a somewhat abusive stylistic approach, but it allows those filmed to conserve their mystery and ultimately leaves us feeling surprisingly sympathetic towards them. (...) The film is part of Scandinavia's long cinematic tradition of psychological realism, but it is original in that it refuses itself any easy expressionist way out. It's often closer to Bresson than to Bergman. The gestural economy and brief dialogue, the effort to deal only with what's essential, and the absolute refusal to over-dramatise give The Match Factory Girl a gripping emotional power." (M. Pérez)