A Syrian refugee, Khaled, sneaks onto a coal freighter and smuggles himself into Helsinki. He seeks asylum only to be turned down, which leaves him no choice but to live on the streets. Then a dorky Finn, Wikström, takes him to his restaurant and hires him. The Other Side of Hope talks about the people who do not lose their humanity amid the refugee crisis. Following Le Havre, which called on Europe to have mercy on a refugee boy, director Aki Kaurismaki focus on the Syrian refugee crisis, which has become a controversial issue over the past few years across the globe. The Finnish restaurant owner who lends his hand to the refugee is in line with the director’s dorky protagonists. People in his film help others in trouble, and they prefer action to words to express themselves. With simple performances, beautiful colors and a warm sense of humor, this film talks about hope and sees beyond it. This year’s must-see received the Best Director Prize at the Berlin International Film Festival. (RHEE Souewon)