Fall 2025 Program

Encounters are at the forefront of Kinokellari’s fall program. Image from When The Light Breaks (Cinemanse Films press materials).

Kinokellari’s popular matinée screenings continue from 1.10. onwards! Welcome to the movies!

1.10. THREE THOUSAND YEARS OF LONGING

United States, Australia, 2022, 1h 48min, K12, drama, fantasy

Directed by George Miller

A scholar who seems happy with her life randomly meets a spirit in a lamp while on a seminar trip. The spirit offers her three wishes in exchange for freedom. But convincing the scholar as a believer in myths isn’t that easy.

The viewer gets to see a mysterious and colourful fairy tale for adults in the spirit of One Thousand and One Nights. But the researcher’s belief in fairy tales is not so simple. The viewer is presented with a mysterious and colourful adult fairy tale in the spirit of A Thousand and One Nights, emphasising the wonder of life amid everyday life.

8.10. I’M STILL HERE

Brazil, France, 2024, 2h 16min, K12, drama

Directed by Walter Salles

The life of a former congressman’s family falls apart when Brazil’s military dictatorship arrests the father on suspicion of crimes. Based on one of the darkest moments in Brazilian history, the film tells the story of a family’s collapse and years of uncertainty.

The film features strong performances, and its themes remain relevant and compelling today.

15.10. MY FAVOURITE CAKE

Iran, France, Sweden, 2024, 1h 37min, K12, drama

Directed by Maryam Moghadam and Behtash Sanaeeha

Fate brings together Mahin, a longtime widow, and Faramarz, a sympathetic taxi driver. This beautiful portrayal of an older couple’s first date is also a statement against Iran’s strict government.

Filmmakers have also defied their country’s laws in their previous work and raised concerns about government injustices.

Please note! There will be no Kinokellari screening during the autumn holiday (week 43)!

29.10. THE GIRL WITH THE NEEDLE

Sweden, Poland, Denmark, 2024, 2h 3min, K16, drama

Directed by Magnus von Horn

Karoline finds herself in a difficult situation after becoming pregnant outside of marriage. She meets a woman who acts as an angel of mercy, helping children find better families. But is that really the case?

This effectively shot film is a relentless viewing experience that delves into the social status of women in the early 20th century and the dark side of society.

5.11. THE LAST SHOWGIRL

United States, 2024, 1h 29min, S, drama

Directed by Gia Coppola

Shelley has been a dancer in Las Vegas for over 30 years. Her world and that of her community is shaken when they hear that their show is being closed permanently with only two weeks’ notice. The future looks bleak, and offstage there is a group of broken people who live only for their dreams.

Pamela Andersson gives a heart-wrenching performance in this beautiful and empathetic drama.

12.11. HIROSHIMA, MON AMOUR

France, 1959, 1h 28min, K16, drama

Directed by Alain Resnais

Classic of the season!

This significant work of film history, moving between different time periods, tells the brief love story of a French woman and a Japanese man. The couple is haunted by wartime memories, which are revealed to the viewer through flashbacks.

Alain Resnais’ debut feature film broke the boundaries of film narrative of its time and made him one of the pioneers of the French New Wave.

19.11. HOW TO MAKE MILLIONS BEFORE GRANDMA DIES

Thailand, 2024, 2h 6min, K7, drama, comedy

Directed by Pat Boonnitipat

A grandmother suffering from cancer is taken care of by her grandchild, with the ulterior motive of securing an easier life for himself with her inheritance money. However, gaining the favor of the sharp-tongued grandmother is not that easy.

An interesting new film from Thailand, a country whose films rarely make it to Finnish cinemas. The film’s central theme is universally human and speaks across national borders.

26.11. RAPTURES

Sweden, Finland, 2025, 1h 47min, K12, drama

Directed by Jon Blåhed

In the Tornionjokilaakso in the 1930s, preacher Teodor causes a small village community to fall into a frenzy. However, the mass hysteria soon takes a turn for the worse, and Teodor’s wife must also pick a side.

The world’s first film in the meänkieli language is an interesting study of power and of one of the most significant religious movements in Finland’s recent history.

3.12. WHEN THE LIGHT BREAKS

Iceland, 2024, 1h 23min, K12, drama

Directed by Rúnar Rúnarsson

Young art student Una is struck by unexpected grief when her boyfriend dies in a sudden accident. Una struggles with her grief and a secret of her own. Grief and crisis are dealt with in different ways by each of the young characters.

Set over the course of a single day, this is a sensitive and beautiful exploration of sudden grief and the importance of community.

10.12. THE HOLDOVERS

United States, 2023, 2h 13min, K12, drama

Directed by Alexander Payne

Glogg wine and discussions – post-film event in collaboration with the University Consortium of Pori!

A mixed group of people spends Christmas at a boarding school for boys, including a troublemaker student, a grumpy old teacher, and the school cook, whose son has just died in the Vietnam War. The future does not look bright, but despite this, the trio learns a lot from each other during the Christmas holidays.