The Other Side of Hope(2017)

Janus Films

Not Rated
1h 40m
Comedy, Drama

Release Date: Dec 1, 2017 | Limited

A poker-playing restaurateur and former traveling salesman befriends a group of refugees newly arrived to Finland.

Releases

Original Release | Dec 1, 2017

Box Office

Results

Opening Weekend US & Canada:
$15,495
Total US & Canada:
$183,943
Total International
$4,099,030
Total Worldwide:
$4,282,973

Director & Top Cast

Aki Kaurismäki
Director

Sherwan Haji
Khaled

Technical Specifications

Sound Mix: Dolby Digital

Aspect Ratio: 1.85 : 1

Other Details

Country of Origin: Finland

Summaries

Storyline

Syrian refugee Khaled stows away on a freighter to Helsinki. Meanwhile, traveling salesman Wikström wins big at a poker table and buys himself a restaurant with the proceeds. When the authorities turn down his application for asylum, Khaled is forced underground and Wikström finds him sleeping in the yard behind his restaurant. He offers him a job and a roof over his head and, for a while, they form a Utopian union with the restaurant's waitress, the chef, and his dog. — AnonymousB As Khaled, a young Syrian mechanic who has escaped Aleppo's living nightmare, finds his way into Helsinki by accidentally stowing himself away on a coal freighter, on the other side of town, joyless traveling salesman Wikström experiences a profound mid-life crisis. Under those circumstances, Khaled and Wikström, who are desperately looking for a fresh start, eventually cross paths when the latter, after an endless night of high-stakes poker, buys himself a decrepit restaurant and offers Khaled not only shelter but also work. In the end, whether the Syrian refugee has a future in the Finnish capital is unknown, but what is undisputed is that he will find an eccentric but affectionate new family. — Nick Riganas Displaced Syrian Khaled lands in Helsinki as a stowaway; meanwhile, middle-aged salesman Wikström leaves behind his wife and job and buys a conspicuously unprofitable seafood restaurant. After Khaled is denied asylum, he decides not to return to Aleppo, and the two men's paths cross fortuitously.