The Other Side Of Hope
The paths of a Syrian refugee and a Finnish travelling salesman cross in the asphalt jungle called Helsinki. During the Berlin International Film Festival, Aki Kaurismäki (LE HAVRE, THE MAN WITHOUT A PAST) was awarded the Silver Bear for best director.
THE OTHER SIDE OF HOPE consists of two stories that by chance intersect. The first one is about Khaled, a young Syrian refugee who has lost virtually all of his family. Almost by accident, he drifts to Helsinki as a stowaway passenger on a collier to seek asylum. Wikström, the other protagonist, is a travelling salesman of about fifty. At the start of the film he leaves his alcoholic wife and his profession and turns momentarily into a poker shark. With the small amount of money he thus gains he then buys an unprofitable restaurant at the far end of an inner court along a back street in Helsinki.
When the authorities turn down Khaled’s application, he decides to remain in the country illegally. Going underground in the Finnish capital, he lives on the streets and encounters all kinds of racism, but also some cool rock ’n’ rollers and genuine friendship. One day Wikström discovers Khaled sleeping in the dark backyard behind his restaurant.