THE MATCH FACTORY GIRL

THE MATCH FACTORY GIRL (TULITIKKUTEHTAAN TYTTÖ), 1990
Finland | 35mm, Color, 68’ | Finnish
Director: Aki Kaurismäki
Cast: Kati Outinen, Elina Salo, Esko Nikkari

Part of the Working Class Trilogy, The Match Factory Girl is one of Kaurismäki’s most striking films. Kati Outinen plays Iris, a blonde, blank-faced, downtrodden factory worker whose quest for love and companionship is thwarted by her parents or by exploitative men. One day Iris decides to take a revolutionary stand and, arming herself with rat poison, sets out for revenge. With its inexpressive acting, motionless camera, and geometrical compositions The Match Factory Girl is a good example of a favorite subgenre of Kaurismäki’s; films in which social exploitation and injustice lead to crime!