There seems to be a unique cultural connection between Finns and the French, especially in the arts. The French love Aki Kaurismäki, too. How come?

by Comfortable_Lynx8295

10 comments

  1. I had not realized there was a connection. Is there really?

  4. I don’t like Aki Kaurismäki at all. Especially his movies from 80’s are very cringy like the one where Finnish man plays Italian mobster with dark dyed hair and speaking with an Italian accent.

  6. French here, to be honest, I don’t know if there is a real strong connection between Finland and France, except for being part of the EU and NATO. Kaurismäki and Oksanen (mentioned here) are quite niche artists here (or maybe because I’m not a lot interested in them).

    All the Finnish people (or things) linked to France that I have in mind right now are Teemu Tainio (former Auxerre player), Ari Vatanen being elected European MP in France, the French tennisman Lucas Pouille who renounced to his Finnish citizenship, and… a tram station near Paris called Saarinen, likely to be named after the architect Eero Saarinen.

  8. I mean is there anything actually unique? Seems like run-of-the-mill cultural exchange.

  9. I don’t think there’s much of a connection. Kaurismäki has been influenced by French cinema, so that likely resonates with French art house film fans.

  10. Did my Erasmus in Finland (I’m french) loved your culture and I find it very different but also very similar at so many level that i was drowned in a new culture without beeing completely lost either. Hope to get back soon !

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