Why a Finnish director chose a French port city to tell a universal story
In short: Aki Kaurismäki spent years searching for the perfect setting for his tale of a shoeshiner protecting an undocumented child. After driving the entire European coastline, he found his answer in Le Havre, a city he dubbed the Memphis of France. The result is a film of rare, deadpan grace.
Released in 2011, Le Havre marked director Aki Kaurismäki’s return to French-language filmmaking, a feat he had not attempted since 1992’s La Vie de Bohème. The narrative follows Marcel Marx, a former author turned shoeshiner, whose quiet life is upended when he encounters Idrissa, an African child seeking refuge. With the help of his neighbors, Marcel attempts to shield the boy from the persistent gaze of the local police. The film’s character names serve as deliberate homages to French cinema icons, while the protagonist’s name, Marcel Marx, draws inspiration from Karl Marx.
The production process was a meticulous search for atmosphere. Kaurismäki originally envisioned the story unfolding on the Mediterranean coast, specifically in Italy or Spain. However, after driving from Genoa to Holland, he settled on the northern French port of Le Havre, captivated by its unique musical scene and aesthetic. The film’s local flavor is anchored by the casting of rock singer Roberto Piazza, known as Little Bob, whom the director famously compared to Elvis. Filming took place between March and May 2010, supported by a budget of 3.8 million euro, including 750,000 euro from the Finnish Film Foundation.
Upon its premiere at the 64th Cannes Film Festival, the film was met with widespread critical acclaim, holding a 99% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics praised the seamless blend of morose and merry tones, noting the influence of French masters like Robert Bresson and Jean-Pierre Melville. Beyond its artistic reception, the film secured several accolades, including the FIPRESCI Prize at Cannes and the Gold Hugo at the Chicago International Film Festival. While it was selected as the Finnish entry for the 84th Academy Awards, it ultimately did not reach the final shortlist. Kaurismäki initially intended this film to be the first in a trilogy about port cities, though his subsequent project, The Other Side of Hope, shifted the focus to Helsinki.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Le Havre (film)
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/entertainment-le-havre-film.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Films · More in Entertainment · Latest · A–Z · All topics
