Nikander, a rubbish collector and would-be entrepreneur, finds his plans for success dashed when his business associate dies. One evening, he meets Ilona, a down-on-her-luck cashier, in a local supermarket. Falteringly, a bond begins to develop between them.
Directed by Aki Kaurismäki
helsinki, finland
salesclerk
garbage
Rank
#27 in 1986·#2535 overall
IMDB
N/A
Letterboxd
3.9 / 5
Cast
Matti Pellonpää
Nikander
Kati Outinen
Ilona
Sakari Kuosmanen
Melartin
Esko Nikkari
Nikander's Co-Worker
Kylli Köngäs
Ilona's Friend
Pekka Laiho
Store Manager
Jukka-Pekka Palo
Third Man
Mari Rantasila
Nikander's Sister
Mato Valtonen
Pelle
Sakke Järvenpää
Staffan
Jaakko Talaskivi
Guard (uncredited)
Aki Kaurismäki
Hotel Receptionist (uncredited)
Crew
Aki Kaurismäki
Director
Aki Kaurismäki
Writer
Mika Kaurismäki
Producer
Juuso Hirvikangas
Sound Assistant
Jaakko Talaskivi
Production Manager
Popular Reviews
103 reviews
YoavbergelPRO
10.0★ · 06/05/25
(2/4)another great film by kaurismäki and can I just say I love Matti Pellonpää
(2/4)another great film by kaurismäki and can I just say I love Matti Pellonpää
1
Fer Martinez
7.0★ · 05/09/26
necesito un Kaurismaki mexicano x2, viva la conexión y el amor como refugio contra la rutina y la deshumanización
necesito un Kaurismaki mexicano x2, viva la conexión y el amor como refugio contra la rutina y la deshumanización
polina
8.0★ · 03/20/26
directors who have their own favorite themes that carry over from film to film are something I really value. Aki Kaurismäki is an amazing case: you can always guess who filmed it based on the frame, the music chose, or even the actors. he’s so unique.I find his social context immersion and empathy in portraying working class people to be captivating. I had a thought about how you can portray a person who is pretty bad in the most humane and sincere manner. while also depicting the ideal and best person in a way that is completely inhuman and false. and I will always prefer the first character. the people in Kuarismäki's work waste their lives, make the most weird choices, and don't understand each other. I don't have a complete understanding of them either, but I have a strong love for them.
I've also been hospitalized for the second time with the thought, ‘I need to watch an Aki Kaurismäki movie’, which is forming a funny tradition. maybe it's really a cure or something
directors who have their own favorite themes that carry over from film to film are something I really value. Aki Kaurismäki is an amazing case: you can always guess who filmed it based on the frame, the music chose, or even the actors. he’s so unique.I find his social context immersion and empathy in portraying working class people to be captivating. I had a thought about how you can portray a person who is pretty bad in the most humane and sincere manner. while also depicting the ideal and best person in a way that is completely inhuman and false. and I will always prefer the first character. the people in Kuarismäki's work waste their lives, make the most weird choices, and don't understand each other. I don't have a complete understanding of them either, but I have a strong love for them.
I've also been hospitalized for the second time with the thought, ‘I need to watch an Aki Kaurismäki movie’, which is forming a funny tradition. maybe it's really a cure or something
Jules
9.0★ · 02/13/26
when will finally someone suggest moving to tallinn with me
when will finally someone suggest moving to tallinn with me
lian
8.0★ · 02/05/26
There’s a part of me wherein i lowkey want my relationship to be like this lol. This will be my first movie date idea.
There’s a part of me wherein i lowkey want my relationship to be like this lol. This will be my first movie date idea.
