The Falling Star

Ambassadors of one-of-a-kind humor, Dominique Abel and Fiona Gordon, are here again. The newest addition to the Belgian couple's minimalistic comedies (such as L'Iceberg (2005), Rumba (2008), The Fairy (2011) and Lost In Paris (2016)) is L’Étoile filante. The movie takes place in a shabby and melancholic Belgian bar, which, down to the color scheme, is like straight out of Aki Kaurismäki's sparsely staged world. The quiet atmosphere of the bar and the silence of the staff make it even more Kaurismäki-esque. Preferring controlled mimicry, Abel and Gordon act skillfully even in demanding leading roles. This quietly smiling feel-good story moves in the world of film noir, combining hilarious slapstick, wordless situational comedy, and absolutely amazing dance scenes. Timo Kuismin