Shadows in Paradise is a 1986 Finnish black comedy

Black comedy

A black comedy, or dark comedy, is a comic work that employs black humor or gallows humor. The definition of black humor is problematic; it has been argued that it corresponds to the earlier concept of gallows humor; and that, as humor has been defined since Freud as a comedic act that anesthetizes...

 romantic comedy

Romantic comedy film

Romantic comedy films are films with light-hearted, humorous plotlines, centered on romantic ideals such as that true love is able to surmount most obstacles. One dictionary definition is "a funny movie, play, or television program about a love story that ends happily"...

 film written and directed by Aki Kaurismäki

Aki Kaurismäki

-Career:After studying Media Studies at the University of Tampere, Aki Kaurismäki started his career as a co-director in the films of his elder brother Mika Kaurismäki. His debut as an independent director was Crime and Punishment , Dostoyevsky's famous crime story set in modern-day Helsinki...

. The film stars Kati Outinen

Kati Outinen

Anna Katriina Outinen is a Finnish actress who has often played leading female roles in Aki Kaurismäki's films.Outinen was born in Helsinki. Having studied under Jouko Turkka during his "reign" of drama studies in Finland, she nevertheless has never been associated with the "turkkalaisuus" school...

 as Ilona and Matti Pellonpää

Matti Pellonpää

Matti Pellonpää was an award-winning Finnish actor and a musician. He rose to international fame with his roles in both Aki Kaurismäki's and Mika Kaurismäki's films; particularly being a regular in Aki's films, appearing in 18 of them.He started his career in 1962 as a radio actor at the Finnish...

 as Nikander. Ilona is a supermarket check-out clerk who meets Nikander, a lonely garbage man, and they develop romantic feelings towards each other. Both of them are extremely shy so this hinders fast development of their relationship.

Shadows in Paradise was awarded the Best Film award at the 1987 Jussi Awards.

Cast and characters

• Matti Pellonpää
  Matti Pellonpää
  Matti Pellonpää was an award-winning Finnish actor and a musician. He rose to international fame with his roles in both Aki Kaurismäki's and Mika Kaurismäki's films; particularly being a regular in Aki's films, appearing in 18 of them.He started his career in 1962 as a radio actor at the Finnish...
  
   - Nikander
• Kati Outinen
  Kati Outinen
  Anna Katriina Outinen is a Finnish actress who has often played leading female roles in Aki Kaurismäki's films.Outinen was born in Helsinki. Having studied under Jouko Turkka during his "reign" of drama studies in Finland, she nevertheless has never been associated with the "turkkalaisuus" school...
  
   - Ilona Rajamäki
• Sakari Kuosmanen
  Sakari Kuosmanen
  Sakari Jyrki Kuosmanen is a Finnish singer and actor. He has recorded several solo albums and has also done work with Sleepy Sleepers and Leningrad Cowboys....
  
   - Melartin
• Esko Nikkari
  Esko Nikkari
  Esko Nikkari was a prolific Finnish actor who made more than 70 appearances on film and television. He debuted in 1974 in the movie Karvat....
  
   - Co-worker
• Kylli Köngäs - Ilona's Girlfriend
• Pekka Laiho - Shop Steward
• Jukka-Pekka Palo - Third Man
• Svante Korkiakoski - Police
• Mato Valtonen
  Mato Valtonen
  Mato Valtonen is a Finnish actor, musician and entrepreneur. Valtonen has been a member of the Finnish band Sleepy Sleepers since 1975 and the Leningrad Cowboys since 1989....
  
  - Pelle