"Toivon tuolla puolen" combines two stories: one is about Khaled (Sherwan Haji), a refugee from Syria, who accidentally ends up in Finland and seeks asylum there, without much hope of success. The other one is about Wikström (Sakari Kuosmanen), who starts a new career buying a restaurant. The two men will finally share a common destiny...

After the screening Aki Kaurismäki decided to stay in the audience, together with his film team, in order to receive the well deserved applaused there. Same happened a few days later, when Aki was awarded the Silver Bear for best direction: He just did not want to come to the stage, so the Bear had to be brought to him!

свернуть