Signis

Le Havre

(JPEG)

Finland/ France, 2011 Andre Wilms, Jean-Pierre Darroussin, Kati Outinen, Blondin Miguel. Directed by Aki Kaurismaki

While the advertising title is Le Havre, emphasising the port city of Normandy, the title in other countries includes the word ‘miracle’: Miracle in Le Havre for Denmark and Italy, Le Havre Port of Hope for Mexico. But, more of that later.

The best-known of Finnish directors, Aki Kaurismaki, has tended to make films which are both very serious and, often, very funny. He made a version of La Boheme in the 90s as well as his cult classic about a touring band with oddball hairdos, Leningrad Cowboys Go America. More recently, he has filmed rather darker stories set in Helsinki, Man without a Past and Light in the Dusk. Now he has gone to France, still serious, but with a light and humorous surface, that is very engaging.

Andre Wilms is entertainingly deadpan and kindly as Marcel Marx who makes a precarious living shining shoes at Le Havre station and around the town - if he can get customers. The film opens with him cleaning a pair of shoes for an Italian man who is almost immediately shot off screen with Marcel telling his Vietnamese partner that fortunately the man had had time to pay. We get to know Marcel very well.

Marcel’s wife is loving and dutiful but ill and he takes her to hospital. In the meantime, he chats with local storeowners and at the local bar (with its sympathetic owner and a kind of odd chorus of bearded and tattooed patrons). When a young African escapes from a truck full of illegal immigrants and meets Marcel, Marcel takes him under his wing and hides him (except when he takes him out shoe-shining). A local busybody (veteran Jean-Pierre Leaud) reports him to the police. The world-weary inspector (the excellent Jean-Pierre Darroussin) pursues the case, confronts Marcel, and is instrumental in helping Marcel.

Kaurismaki also indulges his love for music by including a local concert and a song by a veteran singer, Little Bob.

Marcel is a kind man and has put himself out to help the African boy. When he goes to visit his wife in hospital, there is a wonderful surprise - and she uses the word ‘miracle’. A tree blossoms, a sign that goodness is rewarded. So, a fine blend of serious contemporary themes, what used to be called ‘Capraesque’ hopefulness, and some funny sardonic moments and characters. (Winner of the SIGNIS Europe award for 2011.)

Peter Malone