Frozen City

Aku Louhimies evokes Martin Scorsese's “Taxi Driver” with Helsinki style in his latest film FROZEN CITY, based on one of the characters from the Finnish television series “Fragments.” Cabbie Veli-Matti has been in a rut recently. His customers are typically grumpy, they never tip well, and his wife inexplicably left him. Caring for his three small children alone, he privately pleads for a chance to start anew. But when his wife shows up again, she asks for a divorce, kicks him out, and takes the kids. Veli-Matti loses all hope and moves into a grubby apartment, where his neighbors complain that he is a disgrace to the building. After a night of excessive drinking, he wakes up to discover his neighbor is dead and he is being convicted of manslaughter. But Veli-Matti cannot remember anything from the previous night. In this edgy portrayal of one man's tragic demise, Louhimies encouraged his actors to improvise, bringing authentic, exceptional performances to this poignant film. (In Finnish with English subtitles) – E.J.B.