The Match Factory Girl (1990) - full transcript
Iris has a dead-end job in a match-factory, lives with her dour and forbidding parents, and her social life is a disaster. But when she is made pregnant after a one-night stand by a man who thought she was a prostitute, she decides that enough is enough and plans her revenge...
"Most likely they have died
of cold and hunger -
far away there in
the middle of the forest."
-Sergianne Golon;
Countess Angelika
Villealfa Film productions
present
A Film by Aki Kaurismaki
THE MATCH-FACTORY GIRL
Written, edited and directed by
AKI KAURISMAKI
The attack by the People's
Army into Tiananmen Square -
has crushed the resistance
of unarmed students -
and claimed hundreds dead.
A gas pipeline explosion on
the Trans-Siberian Railway -
has wrecked two trains,
killing almost 700 people.
Iran's religious leader
Ayatollah Khomeini has died.
Good evening. The students'
demonstration in Beijing -
has ended in a massacre.
Heavily armed troops
have evidently killed -
hundreds of students during
last night and this morning.
Armed with tanks and
automatic weapons -
the troops stormed
the Square last night -
crushing the resistance
of the unarmed students.
The tanks smashed their way
through the barricades -
but, trapped, one tank got
to feel the people's wrath.
Failing in opening it
like a tin can -
it was set on fire.
But the triumph was short-lived!
more tanks appeared, followed
by troops with fixed bayonets.
Tents were burned down or
crushed under the tanks.
The Goddess of Liberty
crashed down -
and in the square people
realised: this was the end.
Somewhere beyond the ocean
There is a land
Where warm waves softly caress
Its ever-happy sands
All kinds of wonderful flowers
Are forever in bloom
No cares, no worries there,
No troubles, and no gloom
Oh, if only I could reach
That dreamland some day
Then I'd never, ever fly
From that paradise away
But no, unlike the birds
I'm a prisoner of this earth
And only in my dreams alone
I can see that blessed turf
Hurry away now, my song,
Fly to that land of dreams
Where my sweet darling
Faithfully waits for me
Hurry away now, my song,
Like a speeding bird
Tell my love that I am
Only thinking about her
Oh, if only I could reach
That dreamland some day
Then I'd never, ever fly
From that paradise away
But no, unlike the birds
I'm a prisoner of this earth
And only in my dreams alone
I can see that blessed turf
A small beer.
The Pope, head of
the Roman Catholic Church -
and the Vatican State
on a yet another visit -
welcomed by an oppressive heat.
The Pope has already visited
some 80 countries.
After the Scandinavian tour,
the only West European -
countries missing from the list
are Monaco, Malta and Andorra.
His Scandinavian tour has
attracted a lot of attention.
An estimated 600 journalists
are said to follow the visit.
China's People's Army has
tightened its hold on Beijing.
Tanks have been placed at
vital traffic junctions -
and more tanks have rolled
into Tiananmen Square.
Today in central Beijing,
troops fired wildly at civilians.
According to Chinese sources,
also Army units have clashed -
at least in two districts
in Beijing.
Today, the lone man who stopped
a tank column by defiantly -
standing in its way became
a symbol of the resistance.
Whore.
Take it back.
A shower.
-Eight marks.
Call me
498 366
Iris
Eat.
Thanks.
You could visit home some day.
Is that man still there?
And you support them.
In a way. I pay rent.
Forget it. Eat.
When my call comes,
can I take it in the dressing room?
Sure.
Congratulatios.
Mother.
Babe, your presence
Means the world to me
The other guys think you're
Not what a girl should be
But though you may not
Be the ideal thing
You've got that something, babe
Your smile makes
It all worthwhile
So easily you can outshine
The brightest stars
For me, your shining eyes
Turn each day into spring
You've got that something, babe
I'm always dreaming
Of your kiss
Now that's something
I don't want to miss
Happiness just can't go on...
Hi.
What is it?
I thought I'd like to see you.
Not today.
I'll pick you up tomorrow at eight.
Give me the address.
44, Factory Lane, the courtyard.
Iris will be ready in a minute.
How is it?
-Good.
Now if you think we've got
something lasting between us -
you're sorely mistaken.
Nothing could touch me less
than your affection.
Better run off now.
Nothing to worry about.
The test was positive,
you're pregnant.
I'm pregnant.
-Really?
Dearest Aarne -
I know you don't want to
see me or hear from me.
But there's something
I must write to you about.
My pregnancy test was positive,
so we are having a baby.
I'd prefer a girl, but if you
want a boy, I'll want one, too.
For a girl, you can buy
such pretty clothes -
and boys are always interested
in rough games like ice hockey.
I don't know how you'll take
this but I do hope that you -
wouldn't leave us all alone
when the baby is born.
I hope that you'll come and
see us in the hospital -
although it's far too early yet,
as it's not due until March.
I think you have the right
to be the first to know this.
You are, anyway,
the father of our child.
Even if you could never
truly love me I think -
that the child will bring you
much joy as it grows older -
as it will for me.
I'll bring this to you myself to
prevent it getting into wrong hands.
Promise to answer me when
you've thought about it.
I believe it will all be for
the better and we'll yet -
realise that Destiny arranged
this surprise for our best -
although it may first come
to you as a shock.
Regards, Iris.
Get rid of the brat.
You've brought
your mother great pain.
We both hope you'll find
yourself another home.
Is that all?
Yes.
Here's the key.
I'll be back in the evening.
Rat poison.
Small or large?
-Large.
What does this do?
-It kills.
Good.
A drink.
Ice.
I just came to say goodbye.
Everything's in order and
we won't meet again, ever.
You don't have to worry
about anything.
A large beer.
Come to eat.
Oh, how could you
Turn all my sweet dreams
Into idle fancies
My eyes beheld
The cold cruel land
My love's flower died
Frost killed my faith
When you give everything
Only to find disappointment
The burden of memories
Gets too hard to bear
The flower of love
Won't be shining now
Your cold eyes and your
Chilly smile has put it out
When you give everything
Only to find disappointment
The burden of memories
Gets too hard to bear
The flower of love
Won't be shining now
Your cold eyes and your
Chilly smile has put it out
Oh, how could you?
Subtitles: Mikko Lyytik?inen
Broadcast Text
of cold and hunger -
far away there in
the middle of the forest."
-Sergianne Golon;
Countess Angelika
Villealfa Film productions
present
A Film by Aki Kaurismaki
THE MATCH-FACTORY GIRL
Written, edited and directed by
AKI KAURISMAKI
The attack by the People's
Army into Tiananmen Square -
has crushed the resistance
of unarmed students -
and claimed hundreds dead.
A gas pipeline explosion on
the Trans-Siberian Railway -
has wrecked two trains,
killing almost 700 people.
Iran's religious leader
Ayatollah Khomeini has died.
Good evening. The students'
demonstration in Beijing -
has ended in a massacre.
Heavily armed troops
have evidently killed -
hundreds of students during
last night and this morning.
Armed with tanks and
automatic weapons -
the troops stormed
the Square last night -
crushing the resistance
of the unarmed students.
The tanks smashed their way
through the barricades -
but, trapped, one tank got
to feel the people's wrath.
Failing in opening it
like a tin can -
it was set on fire.
But the triumph was short-lived!
more tanks appeared, followed
by troops with fixed bayonets.
Tents were burned down or
crushed under the tanks.
The Goddess of Liberty
crashed down -
and in the square people
realised: this was the end.
Somewhere beyond the ocean
There is a land
Where warm waves softly caress
Its ever-happy sands
All kinds of wonderful flowers
Are forever in bloom
No cares, no worries there,
No troubles, and no gloom
Oh, if only I could reach
That dreamland some day
Then I'd never, ever fly
From that paradise away
But no, unlike the birds
I'm a prisoner of this earth
And only in my dreams alone
I can see that blessed turf
Hurry away now, my song,
Fly to that land of dreams
Where my sweet darling
Faithfully waits for me
Hurry away now, my song,
Like a speeding bird
Tell my love that I am
Only thinking about her
Oh, if only I could reach
That dreamland some day
Then I'd never, ever fly
From that paradise away
But no, unlike the birds
I'm a prisoner of this earth
And only in my dreams alone
I can see that blessed turf
A small beer.
The Pope, head of
the Roman Catholic Church -
and the Vatican State
on a yet another visit -
welcomed by an oppressive heat.
The Pope has already visited
some 80 countries.
After the Scandinavian tour,
the only West European -
countries missing from the list
are Monaco, Malta and Andorra.
His Scandinavian tour has
attracted a lot of attention.
An estimated 600 journalists
are said to follow the visit.
China's People's Army has
tightened its hold on Beijing.
Tanks have been placed at
vital traffic junctions -
and more tanks have rolled
into Tiananmen Square.
Today in central Beijing,
troops fired wildly at civilians.
According to Chinese sources,
also Army units have clashed -
at least in two districts
in Beijing.
Today, the lone man who stopped
a tank column by defiantly -
standing in its way became
a symbol of the resistance.
Whore.
Take it back.
A shower.
-Eight marks.
Call me
498 366
Iris
Eat.
Thanks.
You could visit home some day.
Is that man still there?
And you support them.
In a way. I pay rent.
Forget it. Eat.
When my call comes,
can I take it in the dressing room?
Sure.
Congratulatios.
Mother.
Babe, your presence
Means the world to me
The other guys think you're
Not what a girl should be
But though you may not
Be the ideal thing
You've got that something, babe
Your smile makes
It all worthwhile
So easily you can outshine
The brightest stars
For me, your shining eyes
Turn each day into spring
You've got that something, babe
I'm always dreaming
Of your kiss
Now that's something
I don't want to miss
Happiness just can't go on...
Hi.
What is it?
I thought I'd like to see you.
Not today.
I'll pick you up tomorrow at eight.
Give me the address.
44, Factory Lane, the courtyard.
Iris will be ready in a minute.
How is it?
-Good.
Now if you think we've got
something lasting between us -
you're sorely mistaken.
Nothing could touch me less
than your affection.
Better run off now.
Nothing to worry about.
The test was positive,
you're pregnant.
I'm pregnant.
-Really?
Dearest Aarne -
I know you don't want to
see me or hear from me.
But there's something
I must write to you about.
My pregnancy test was positive,
so we are having a baby.
I'd prefer a girl, but if you
want a boy, I'll want one, too.
For a girl, you can buy
such pretty clothes -
and boys are always interested
in rough games like ice hockey.
I don't know how you'll take
this but I do hope that you -
wouldn't leave us all alone
when the baby is born.
I hope that you'll come and
see us in the hospital -
although it's far too early yet,
as it's not due until March.
I think you have the right
to be the first to know this.
You are, anyway,
the father of our child.
Even if you could never
truly love me I think -
that the child will bring you
much joy as it grows older -
as it will for me.
I'll bring this to you myself to
prevent it getting into wrong hands.
Promise to answer me when
you've thought about it.
I believe it will all be for
the better and we'll yet -
realise that Destiny arranged
this surprise for our best -
although it may first come
to you as a shock.
Regards, Iris.
Get rid of the brat.
You've brought
your mother great pain.
We both hope you'll find
yourself another home.
Is that all?
Yes.
Here's the key.
I'll be back in the evening.
Rat poison.
Small or large?
-Large.
What does this do?
-It kills.
Good.
A drink.
Ice.
I just came to say goodbye.
Everything's in order and
we won't meet again, ever.
You don't have to worry
about anything.
A large beer.
Come to eat.
Oh, how could you
Turn all my sweet dreams
Into idle fancies
My eyes beheld
The cold cruel land
My love's flower died
Frost killed my faith
When you give everything
Only to find disappointment
The burden of memories
Gets too hard to bear
The flower of love
Won't be shining now
Your cold eyes and your
Chilly smile has put it out
When you give everything
Only to find disappointment
The burden of memories
Gets too hard to bear
The flower of love
Won't be shining now
Your cold eyes and your
Chilly smile has put it out
Oh, how could you?
Subtitles: Mikko Lyytik?inen
Broadcast Text