Ariel

Ariel is a 1988 Finnish drama film directed and written by Aki Kaurismäki. The film tells the story of Taisto Kasurinen, a Finnish coal miner who must find a way to live in the big city after the mine closes and his father, also a miner, commits suicide. Taisto's friend is played by Matti Pellonpää, an actor who appeared in many of Kaurismäki's early films. This is the second film in Kaurismäki's Proletariat Trilogy. The trilogy has been released on Region One DVD by Criterion, in their Eclipse box-sets. The film is included in the 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die list. The film was entered into the 16th Moscow International Film Festival where Turo Pajala won the Bronze St. George for Best Actor.