Ariel is a 1988 Finnish drama film directed and written by Aki Kaurismäki. The film tells the story of Taisto Kasurinen (Turo Pajala), a Finnish miner who must find a way to live in the big city after the mine closes.

Plot

A mine gets closed in Finnish Lapland, putting a number of miners including Taisto Kasurinen (Turo Pajala), out of work. In a café, an older miner advises Kasurinen that there is no future in mining. He gives Kasurinen the keys to an old (1962) white Cadillac convertible, then walks into the men's room and shoots himself. Kasurinen drives the convertible to southern Finland, where he is mugged and has his life savings stolen. He gets a labouring job and finds a cheap bed at a nearby hostel.