Back to moviesNext movie
Toivon tuolla puolen elokuvan juliste

License required for the public film screening

According to the Finnish Copyright Act, public screening of the film requires permission. With the movie license annual permit, you can present the service's software from a source intended for private use of your choice.

Toivon tuolla puolen

2017 | 100 min | K-12 | comedy, drama

The movie tells the story of Khaled, a Syrian refugee hiding on a cargo ship, and Wikström, a merchant traveler whose paths eventually cross. Although the film was released in 2017, its refugee theme remains relevant.

The film features Kaurismäki’s familiar stylistic features, such as reduced visuals, low-key characters, absurd humor, and musical numbers.

Koulukino’s educational materials deal with human rights, refugees, hate speech, freedom of speech and Aki Kaurismäki’s style of making films.

Watch the movies online

Rent now:

Apple TV
Elisa Viihde
SF Anytime
Telia Play

Buy now:

Apple TV
Blockbuster
Elisa Viihde
SF Anytime

Watch free now:

Cineasterna
Kirjastokino
Yle Areena

About the movie

Subjects

  • ethics
  • finnish
  • psychology

Keywords

  • courage
  • domestic
  • Ethics
  • fear
  • friendship
  • global education
  • human rights education
  • humoristic
  • immigration
  • learning materials
  • optimistic
  • parity
  • reading skills of movie
  • respectful
  • social class differences
  • thought awakening

Educational levels

  • high schools and vocational schools
  • middle schools

Genres

  • comedy
  • drama

Age limits

  • K-12

Studios

  • Sputnik

For media educator

"Toivon tuolla puolen" takes hold of the current topic, immigration, with a human touch and guides you to think about humane ways to encounter a stranger. The main character Khaled has fled his home country after a bomb destroyed his family and ended up in Finland through many coincidences. On the way, he has drifted on different roads from his sister. However, Khaled does not submit to his difficult situation or the threats of the future but tries to find a way forward with the means at his disposal. The visual world familiar from Aki Kaurismäki's films combines the Finnish aesthetics of the 50s with modern times, often in a humorous way. The desire to help serves as a measure of the humanity of the characters in the film. The main characters act humanely and do not try to exploit others.

Read more from Koulukino