Drifting Clouds (film)

Drifting Clouds (Finnish: Kauas pilvet karkaavat) is a 1996 Finnish comedy-drama film written, produced, edited, and directed by Aki Kaurismäki. Starring Kati Outinen, Kari Väänänen, and Markku Peltola, the film tells the story of a married couple—a tram driver and a head waitress—who both lose their jobs and struggle to survive in the face of the recession.

The film is the first installment in Kaurismäki's Finland trilogy, followed by The Man Without a Past (2002) and Lights in the Dusk (2006). It was originally conceived for actor Matti Pellonpää, who died before production began; the finished film is dedicated to his memory.

Drifting Clouds premiered at the 1996 Cannes Film Festival, where it was nominated for the Palme d'Or and won the Prize of the Ecumenical Jury. It was a critical success, dominating the 1997 Jussi Awards (Finland's premier film industry event) with five awards, including Best Film.