The Finnish film A Man Without a Past directed by Aki Kaurismäki incorporated many universal life lessons in a refreshingly simplistic style. The film although not my favorite, still had great depth and a thoughtful storyline that forced me to reflect on what makes humans truly happy. A Man Without a Past chronicles the events that unfold after a middle-aged man is brutally beaten in a park and unable to remember anything about his past, not even his own name. The film documents this man, known as M, and his journey to creating a new life and the people he meets along the way. Through this journey the theme of American 1950's songs and cinematic techniques shines through and unlike mainstream Hollywood films involving action, sex, and special effects, Kaurismäki is able to touch his audience by portraying women as the hero's and characters who find happiness even as outsiders of a society.
From the very first scene of A Man Without a Past" American 1950's style music played in the background creating a setting that the movie was back in time. Throughout the first ten minutes of the film very little dialogue was spoken and the music and lighting took large precedent on the tone the rest of the film was going to take on. To some this music selection could be seen as odd, but director Aki Kaurismäki implements this theme into several of his other films and shorts. It seems he is fascinated by this time period and it is clear that this film was largely inspired by the 1950's in America and rock and roll. For example, we are introduced early on in the film to Irma, a very conservative Salvation Army worker whom lives a very minimalistic life style. Irma settles into her small apartment and falls asleep to a song called "Do the Shake" which made you want to stand up and dance. I was surprised that this was the song choice at first but then felt it added some personality to Irma. Next M finds an old jukebox on the side of the road and hooks it up in his "house", constantly playing old tunes from America while making dinner and doing other various things. He even tells Irma, "I think I want to be a rock and roll manager". Rock and Roll in not the only genre included however, jazz music is also incorporated into the film as well as classical, gospel, and blues. Many scenes, especially involving M and Irma also had songs that felt as if they were from a 1920's film. The dark lighting and jumpy music created an almost black and white feel to those scenes, particularly the ones that incorporated romance. Another way of incorporating this feeling of an older setting was the fade to black cuts that would end a scene. With all of these examples in mind, it seems that these cinematic decisions reflect the director and his love for music and different time periods.
Contrary to many Hollywood films, this Finnish film portrayed women as the hero's that helped the men out of their troubles. Beginning with Kaisa nursing M back to health it was understood that she was the decision maker of the home. Even her husband said early on that "she was the boss" which very much differs from the American gender roles. Next M goes to a Salvation Army event in which only men stood in line to be served by all women. It was clear that the men were in distress and the women were there to help them get them back on their feet. Irma also provides M clean clothes and a job to help him figure out his life. Other small, yet significant examples include two older women feeding leftovers to M in a diner, or M's ex-wife coming to the rescue to help him figure out his past. On the flip side the men in this film are seen as either helpless or heartless. For example, the man working at the employment office kicked M out of the building and the police officers tried their hardest to convict M on a crime he didn't commit. The stark differences between men and women is fascinating especially due to the fact the movie was directed by a man. It seems to be a large trend in Nordic film that women are the ones to be respected and that men are the ones who need saving. Although M is able to recover and recreate a new life for himself, without the women he met that would have never been possible.
The minimalistic way of living that was portrayed in this film was significant. M and his friends seem to live in old construction containers in which no bathrooms seem to be present and electricity is barely viable. Everyone that M holds a real relationship with involve those who are on the fringe of society. Even M himself said, "no one will want to hire me, I am an outcast". With this said however, the characters that seem to be struggling the most are the ones with the most heart. I believe the message that Kaurismäki was trying to deliver was that money isn't the only thing in life that will get you far. It turns out that M's new life living in poverty is much more fulfilling than his past when he was a bad husband and addicted to gambling.
Rebuilding a life is not easy, and for most people it does not involve getting amnesia and forgetting everything about our past. However, A Man Without a Past is able to give insight on how meaningful relationships are a key component to happiness and success when starting over. Through quirky music and old timey techniques along with out of the norm gender roles, this film will leave you pleasantly surprised.
From the very first scene of A Man Without a Past" American 1950's style music played in the background creating a setting that the movie was back in time. Throughout the first ten minutes of the film very little dialogue was spoken and the music and lighting took large precedent on the tone the rest of the film was going to take on. To some this music selection could be seen as odd, but director Aki Kaurismäki implements this theme into several of his other films and shorts. It seems he is fascinated by this time period and it is clear that this film was largely inspired by the 1950's in America and rock and roll. For example, we are introduced early on in the film to Irma, a very conservative Salvation Army worker whom lives a very minimalistic life style. Irma settles into her small apartment and falls asleep to a song called "Do the Shake" which made you want to stand up and dance. I was surprised that this was the song choice at first but then felt it added some personality to Irma. Next M finds an old jukebox on the side of the road and hooks it up in his "house", constantly playing old tunes from America while making dinner and doing other various things. He even tells Irma, "I think I want to be a rock and roll manager". Rock and Roll in not the only genre included however, jazz music is also incorporated into the film as well as classical, gospel, and blues. Many scenes, especially involving M and Irma also had songs that felt as if they were from a 1920's film. The dark lighting and jumpy music created an almost black and white feel to those scenes, particularly the ones that incorporated romance. Another way of incorporating this feeling of an older setting was the fade to black cuts that would end a scene. With all of these examples in mind, it seems that these cinematic decisions reflect the director and his love for music and different time periods.
Contrary to many Hollywood films, this Finnish film portrayed women as the hero's that helped the men out of their troubles. Beginning with Kaisa nursing M back to health it was understood that she was the decision maker of the home. Even her husband said early on that "she was the boss" which very much differs from the American gender roles. Next M goes to a Salvation Army event in which only men stood in line to be served by all women. It was clear that the men were in distress and the women were there to help them get them back on their feet. Irma also provides M clean clothes and a job to help him figure out his life. Other small, yet significant examples include two older women feeding leftovers to M in a diner, or M's ex-wife coming to the rescue to help him figure out his past. On the flip side the men in this film are seen as either helpless or heartless. For example, the man working at the employment office kicked M out of the building and the police officers tried their hardest to convict M on a crime he didn't commit. The stark differences between men and women is fascinating especially due to the fact the movie was directed by a man. It seems to be a large trend in Nordic film that women are the ones to be respected and that men are the ones who need saving. Although M is able to recover and recreate a new life for himself, without the women he met that would have never been possible.
The minimalistic way of living that was portrayed in this film was significant. M and his friends seem to live in old construction containers in which no bathrooms seem to be present and electricity is barely viable. Everyone that M holds a real relationship with involve those who are on the fringe of society. Even M himself said, "no one will want to hire me, I am an outcast". With this said however, the characters that seem to be struggling the most are the ones with the most heart. I believe the message that Kaurismäki was trying to deliver was that money isn't the only thing in life that will get you far. It turns out that M's new life living in poverty is much more fulfilling than his past when he was a bad husband and addicted to gambling.
Rebuilding a life is not easy, and for most people it does not involve getting amnesia and forgetting everything about our past. However, A Man Without a Past is able to give insight on how meaningful relationships are a key component to happiness and success when starting over. Through quirky music and old timey techniques along with out of the norm gender roles, this film will leave you pleasantly surprised.