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Shadows in Paradise

Play trailer Poster for Shadows in Paradise Released Oct 17, 1986 1h 16m Romance Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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Tomatometer 0 Reviews 87% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
Nikander (Matti Pellonpää) is a garbage collector who lives a lonely existence -- especially after his only real friend dies of a heart attack. But his life changes for the better when he meets Ilona (Kati Outinen), the check-out clerk at his local supermarket. Despite being painfully shy, Nikander gradually makes inroads to romance with her. But their budding relationship is tested when Iloni is fired from her supermarket -- and she steals from the store in an act of retribution.

Audience Reviews

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Dani G Always nice to watch the films of Kaurismaki. A very enjoyable and peculiar style that is similar to no one Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 11/22/23 Full Review dave s In director Aki Kaurismaki's cinematic world, characters seem to exist in dusk-like conditions, rarely smile, and smoke an astounding number of cigarettes. Shadows in Paradise is no exception. Nikander is alone in the world, a garbage man by day who spends his evenings…well, frowning and smoking. Ilona is a grocery clerk by day who spends her evenings…well, frowning and smoking. Destined to be together, they begin a tentative relationship and ultimately find some sort of redemption and meaning to their bleak lives as they make their way through their stark surroundings. Despite the fact that the editing seems choppy in some scenes, the film is nicely shot and the acting, although extremely subdued, is consistent with the dour mood of the movie. While not at the level of Kaurismaki's The Match Factory Girl from a few years later, this early effort is still worth a viewing. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member Short, sweet, offbeat comedy by Aki Kaurismaki. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review s r An odd ball romance that certainly influenced people like Wes Anderson. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member Kaurismäen läpimurto. Suomalaisen elokuvan ehdoton klassikko. Matti Pellonpää ja Kati Outinen työläisversio Tauno Palosta ja Ansa Ikosesta. Sakari Kuosmanen täydellisessä roolissa. Voiko tähän enää lisätä mitään? Mahtava elokuva. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/12/23 Full Review Audience Member http://filmreviewsnsuch.blogspot.com/2013/12/the-proletariat-trilogy-shadows-in.html Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/25/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Shadows in Paradise

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Cast & Crew

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Aki Kaurismäki

Director

Matti Pellonpää

Nikander

Kati Outinen

Ilona Rajamäki

Kylli Köngäs

Ilona's Girlfriend

Sakari Kuosmanen

Melartin

Esko Nikkari

Co-worker
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Shadows in Paradise

Shadows in Paradise (1986) Shadows in Paradise (1986) Shadows in Paradise (1986) Shadows in Paradise (1986) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Nikander (Matti Pellonpää) is a garbage collector who lives a lonely existence -- especially after his only real friend dies of a heart attack. But his life changes for the better when he meets Ilona (Kati Outinen), the check-out clerk at his local supermarket. Despite being painfully shy, Nikander gradually makes inroads to romance with her. But their budding relationship is tested when Iloni is fired from her supermarket -- and she steals from the store in an act of retribution.
Director
Aki Kaurismäki
Producer
Mika Kaurismäki
Screenwriter
Aki Kaurismäki
Distributor
Finnkino Oy
Production Co
Villealfa Filmproduction Oy
Genre
Romance, Comedy
Original Language
Finnish
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 17, 1986, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 29, 2016
Runtime
1h 16m
Sound Mix
Surround