**Aki Kaurismäki (Orimattila, 1957)** is an acclaimed Finnish director, known for his dry, minimalistic style and deadpan humor. His works often explore the lives of marginalized characters, workers, or the dispossessed, addressing themes such as solitude, human dignity, and a subtle sense of hope.

He is renowned for his "Proletariat Trilogy" (*Shadows in Paradise*, *Ariel*, *The Match Factory Girl*). Among his most notable films are *The Man Without a Past* (nominated for an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film), *Le Havre*, *The Other Side of Hope*, and the more recent *Fallen Leaves*. Kaurismäki creates a unique, melancholic but profoundly human universe, with essential dialogues and a distinctive visual aesthetic.