Film · 1990
The Match Factory Girl
Original titleTulitikkutehtaan tyttö
Directed by Aki Kaurismäki · starring Kati Outinen, Elina Salo and Silu Seppälä
- 1 h 9 min
- 15
- Drama
Finland
Synopsis
A lonely young woman does a mechanical and routine job in a match factory. When he gets home he must endure his wicked stepfather and his mother's lack of affection. At night he goes out to dance trying to have fun and find a partner, but she's never lucky. 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. Together with 'Shadows in Paradise' (1986) and 'Ariel' (1988), this film is part of the first trilogy entitled "the Proletariat trilogy" and is a sample of the style and the inimitable voice of the Finnish filmmaker, one of the great artists of the cinema.
Where to watch The Match Factory Girl
All the optionsAvailable now in the UK:
Availability checked on 8 November 2026.
The essentials
- Runtime
- 69 min1 hour and 9 minutes
- Budget
- $83,038
- Rating
- 15Suitable only for 15 years and over
- How long is The Match Factory Girl?
- 1 hour and 9 minutes (69 minutes).
- Who directed The Match Factory Girl?
- Aki Kaurismäki.
- Who is in The Match Factory Girl?
- It stars Kati Outinen, Elina Salo, Silu Seppälä and Esko Nikkari.
- Where can I watch The Match Factory Girl?
- In the UK it is available with a channel on Prime Video.
Cast
Full cast (8)-
Kati Outinen Iris Rukka
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Elina Salo Mother
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Silu Seppälä Iris Rukka's brother
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Esko Nikkari Stepfather
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Vesa Vierikko Aarne
- Director
- Aki Kaurismäki
- Writers
- Aki Kaurismäki
- Producers
- Aki Kaurismäki
Videos and trailers
See the videoPhotos and posters
All 10 photosSoundtrack
All 16 songsTrivia
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One of the best movies
The film is included on Roger Ebert's "Great Movies" list.
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