5 New Clips From Aki Kaurismäki’s Le Havre

This past year saw the premiere of Aki Kaurismäki’s latest work, Le Havre, at the Cannes Film Festival. Earlier this summer it was announced that Janus Films had picked up the theatrical distribution rights for the film here in the states, which means that a Criterion release will likely follow next year at some point.

Le Havre will have its US Premiere in a few weeks at the New York Film Festival, and will roll out in limited release around the country this fall. I cannot wait to see it, and I have a feeling it might show up here in Portland at the Portland International Film Festival in February of 2012 (if not earlier).

I have some clips from the film to share with you all, which I’m embedding below. They’ll give you a better idea of the pacing and tone of the film.

Next month (October 18th) will see the release of the Kaurismaki’s Leningrad Cowboys Eclipse box set from Criterion.

Here is the official synopsis of Le Havre:

In this warmhearted portrait of the French harbor city that gives the film its name, fate throws young African refugee Idrissa (Blondin Miguel) into the path of Marcel Marx (André Wilms), a well-spoken bohemian who works as a shoeshiner. With innate optimism and the unwavering support of his community, Marcel stands up to officials doggedly pursuing the boy for deportation. A political fairy tale that mixes influences from classic French cinema with wry Kaurismäkian comedy, Le Havre is a charming, deadpan delight.

Check out the five clips from the film.

Videos courtesy of Janus Films