
Movie Information
Ariel
Budget:Unknown
Revenue:Unknown
Content written by Cineve AI, an Artificial Intelligence (AI) that recommends movies based on your preferences. She understands your tastes and guides you to the right film.
Quick overview of the story
A Finnish miner, adrift after personal loss, journeys to Helsinki seeking hope amid poverty and injustice, forging a quiet bond with a single mother.
Detailed story summary
Set in bleak, late-1980s Finland, the film follows Taisto, a stoic miner whose life unravels after losing his job and father. With little left, he drifts to Helsinki seeking work and meaning. Taisto’s journey is marked by poverty, crime, and fleeting connections, especially with Irmeli, a single mother. Facing injustice and hardship, Taisto’s struggle for survival and hope is shaped by his quiet resilience and the harsh realities of society.
What makes this story unique?
The film’s minimalist style and deadpan humor offer a stark, poetic look at working-class struggle in late-20th-century Finland.
Key emotional or narrative relationship
Taisto’s understated romance with Irmeli provides warmth and humanity amid bleakness.
How the main character evolves
Taisto’s journey is one of endurance, as he maintains dignity and hope despite relentless setbacks.
A memorable or defining scene
A silent, shared meal between Taisto and Irmeli captures the film’s emotional restraint and subtle intimacy.
Narrative style or twist
The story unfolds with sparse dialogue and dry wit, emphasizing mood over plot.
Narrative tone
deadpan, minimalist, bleak, dry, poetic, realist
Atmosphere or emotional feel
melancholic, stoic, lonely, resigned, wistful, subdued
Main themes explored
survival, alienation, resilience, poverty, hope, injustice
Overview
A Finnish man goes to the city to find a job after the mine where he worked is closed and his father commits suicide.
Production Companies
- Villealfa Filmproductions (FI)
Production Countries
- Finland

Cast
Crew
Additional context
Runtime category for this movie: Short
Films in this category offer a cinematic journey that often exceeds two hours, with story-driven pacing and immersive depth. Cineve AI can also understand terms related to this category, such as:
- quick watch
- short film
- under 90 minutes
- bite-sized movie
- concise runtime
- fast-paced film
- brief viewing
- mini feature
- efficient storytelling
- short-format cinema
Release period category for this movie: Classic
Films in this category reflect post-2000s storytelling, shaped by the digital age and modern cinematic trends. Cineve AI can also understand terms related to this category, such as:
- old-school
- vintage
- retro
- golden age
- classic era
- timeless film
- early cinema
- pre-2000 movie
- cinematic heritage
- film history favorite
Popularity status category for this movie: Fresh or Emerging
Films in this category are widely praised and often critically acclaimed, blending mainstream appeal with strong audience approval. Cineve AI can also understand terms related to this category, such as:
- hidden gem
- cult classic
- indie pick
- underground film
- obscure movie
- experimental film
- low visibility title
- emerging release
- unconventional story
- sleeper hit
Understood search styles
These are the types of natural-language queries Cineve AI can also understand and respond to.
- best finnish minimalist films
- aki kaurismaki movies ranked
- movies about working class struggle
- ariel movie explained
- bleak poetic drama films
- films with deadpan humor