Pass the bread.
We're out of butter.
We'll manage.
Don't be afraid.
Fly now.
Hey cutie.
Love you.
- Are you going to the mainland? - Not today.
Remember my old pal Olavi Kalm?
Forgot to mention he called. He's on his way here.
Lives in Paris. Wants to escape the city.
I invited him to stay with us.
We have plenty of room.
This juice tastes healthy.
The world has changed.
To say the least. It hit me as I returned.
- Come visit our villa. - That sounds like a scary idea.
- Whisky and crayfish? - Tempting. Sounds messy.
Bye.
Hi.
- It's a long trek from France. - To say the least.
- Rewarding? - In a way.
We'll hunt and fish. You'll forget city life.
Looks deserted.
There're actually a lot of summer guests this year, because of Covid.
It's our fifth year and it's finally starting to feel like home.
Here we are.
Good boy, Usko.
Needs constant maintenance.
Every time you fix something, something else falls apart.
- Looks great. - Thank you.
- Are these cherry trees? - Plum.
Cherry trees are around back.
We grow most our food in the garden.
Milk and eggs come from our neighbour.
We fish and hunt.
Elli! Olavi is here.
Hello. Olavi.
- Hi. - Hi.
Welcome.
We still shake hands and hug. Hope that's okay.
- It's nice to see you again. - Likewise.
Weren't you at Elli's parents' place, was it fifteen years ago?
- Remember, Elli? - It was long ago.
- It was a lifetime ago. - You'd just started university.
- You have a beautiful home. - Yes. In need of repair.
Master Kalm, come look at the view.
- You're writing your thesis. What about? - It's about beauty.
So you don't have a partner?
Never managed to nail one down.
Women or men? Or does it matter?
Mainly women.
We should find you a lockdown lover.
- Lockdown lover? - The island's full of beautiful people.
Think I met one on the ferry.
Her turn-ons were climate change and magic mushrooms.
She was a bright young doctor.
- Must've been Liina. - Yes.
It was her, we waved.
Doctors, soldiers, police and pastors.
They're the keepers. Especially doctors and pastors.
Well, maybe not the pastors.
Salut!
Hey!
Wait a sec.
We don't get much news here, forget there's a whole other world outside.
It's nice to have a guest. Refreshing.
Is your father still alive?
No.
He and I had great talks together.
He often spoke of you after you left.
- He was waiting for you to come back. - I intended to.
But then Paris happened.
- Look what I found. - Thank you.
Not the jacket, look at these photos.
I had pimples back then.
- Everything set upstairs, Elli? - Should be.
- I'll manage, thanks. - Good night then.
- Good night. - See you in the morning.
- Guess we should go to bed too. - I'll be up in a bit.
Okay.
Do you still fish?
Not a lot of places to fish in Paris. Or are you speaking metaphorically?
What, no hanky-panky? You're still the same sly rascal.
There was one.
But it got complicated. She was married.
Have you lost weight?
Maybe a little.
Have you gained weight?
Maybe a little. Does cold water slim you down?
- What was it like with the married woman? - Great.
Weekend getaways, stimulating dinners, and other activities.
I hate jet skis. Should get my shotgun.
At first
Elli didn't want to settle down.
She wanted to travel, study.
But then she came back.
I got a position here in the archipelago.
It's a different kind of life.
A slower pace out here in the wilderness.
This... listen!
That vinyl sound! Feel it.
Old school and self-sustaining!
Internet never works on the islands.
I stream at work and spin at home.
Listen how the rasp hits your ear.
This sound works anytime, anyplace.
This is art, a classic. Baby, baby, baby!
Come on girl!
Shake that body!
Dance, let the music play.
Isn't it great?
The ferry stops here once a day, we're on the edge of civilisation.
But we keep on rockin'.
Up next:
Russian covers of The Beatles songs.
Right.
Don't worry.
He'll be gone soon. Small places bore him.
Bye!
Love you!
Dammit!
I'm sorry.
- Am I disturbing your work? - No.
- How's your writing coming along? - Slowly.
I suppose that's normal.
- Do you still play the cello? - Seldom.
Want to to go for a walk?
Mikko said you're writing your thesis. What's it about?
Women.
I see.
- In François Truffaut's films. - You like women.
I like women and men, the complexity of their relations.
Relationships in general.
Yet you're not in one.
I was, up until recently.
We wanted different things.
If love is the most fundamental thing in life, then what is it exactly?
Is it also love when you leave someone?
And is love always in relation to your own self?
That you remain honest to yourself?
If you didn't love her, there was no chance for happiness.
Maybe I'm looking for something better.
Hello!
God's greetings.
Well, what's up?
Elli's been showing me the island.
Did you go to the shop? You get all we need?
Yes. I ran into Liina. Told me to say hi to Olavi.
She likes you, wants us to come over.
- Want a ride? - We'll walk, or I will.
- Start boiling the potatoes. - Actually, I'll walk too.
But forget the potatoes, I'm cooking tonight.
Good evening ladies and gentleman.
We'll start the evening with a potato, coriander,
blue cheese purée, first of its kind.
- This is experimental gastronomy. - Thank you.
You're very welcome.
A very fitting zeitgeist collage of tastes with
ingredients from the garden and kitchen of our mistress.
Wonderful, Olavi. Very... French.
No, Mikko.
Very "isolational".
Cheers.
I forgot myself. Please enjoy before it gets cold.
I must say.
The presentation was wonderful.
But I hope the main dish will
be more tasty than this mould purée.
This is fucking disgusting. Absolutely horrible.
- Did you use all our salt? - Way too much garlic.
Let's eat and not complain.
Could it be you haven't been
in France all these years, but in a prison kitchen?
Maybe, but eat up. Waste not, want not.
It's great having you're here, dear friend.
Hope I'm allowed to stay on. Despite this fiasco.
Pack your knives and leave. Now, Michael Jackson.
Put your glove on and get back into the kitchen.
I could do a finger puppet performance for you guys.
I will eat you!
I will eat you, I will eat you!
Good morning!
- Good morning. - Mikko left already.
- It's wonderfully quiet here. - Isn't it just.
Life beyond the reach of God.
- Is your writing coming along? - So so...
Good. Let's go watch Mikko work his magic.
Joyfully, oh Lord
we sing your praise
Lord, we praise your name
If I speak in the tongue of men or of angels,
but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong
or a clanging cymbal.
Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy,
it does not boast, it is not proud.
Love does not delight in evil
but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts,
always hopes, always perseveres.
- Can you drop this home on your way? - Sure.
- We'll walk. - I should be back in a few days.
- I'll put this in the car. - So, Elli. Whisky and crayfish?
Liina would be good for you.
- You think? - Absolutely.
What are you looking for? A llama?
An independent, free-thinking woman.
I have one of those. Go find yourself one too.
My dear friend. Hold the fort.
See you soon. Death waits for no one.
What field of medicine was it you're going into?
Psychiatry.
I want to care for people.
So many deranged and self-destructive folk about these days.
- Which are you, Olavi? - Deranged or self-destructive?
Self-destructive.
With Mikko on the mainland, it's a weekend with me.
The guy with Liina. Are they in an affair?
Liina is not that into him.
Because he's boring? That's the worst kind.
She's waiting for something better.
She's lucky. She still has time to wait.
Love comes second when choosing a partner.
There are many other things to consider.
- Evolutionary biology at its best. - That is sad.
Yes. Backfires every time.
Ideally you find rationality and love in the same person.
If personalities don't match and there's no love,
how can two people coexist without suffering?
They can't.
Then we suffer.
Want some more?
We have our own freshwater spring.
Cheers.
To forefathers and ancient fires.
Thank you.
Good night.
- Can I row too? - No.
Do you usually go fishing with Mikko?
No, I go alone.
Elli, are you happy?
I am.
I think so.
Sometimes I fantasise about someone
taking me away. To someplace very different.
Just taking me.
But no one has showed up.
I could leave if I wanted to, I've chosen to live here.
People fantasise about all sorts things.
Especially things they wouldn't want to happen.
We're very much alike.
You talk straight.
I like that.
Are you happy with your life?
Yes.
There are days when I'm lost and can't feel anything.
But I know happiness is always possible. It's always there.
You only have to choose it.
May I come in?
You can.
Are you afraid?
With Mikko always gone?
I sometimes sleep upstairs although he's home.
I need my space.
Have I invaded your space?
It's fine.
Your bedroom is directly
under mine.
Yes.
Does it
disturb you when
I move around upstairs?
I hear you.
As long as I'm awake.
Hello?
Anyone home?
Hi!
- Did we catch you at a bad time? - No, please come in.
- Is Olavi the man of the house now? - There is no "man of the house".
Mikko's still on the mainland. There must be another funeral.
Cheers. To summer!
Cheers.
To Whisky and crayfish!
Put on some "Christian music".
I propose a toast.
To fire, light and the shadows who play with them.
- To love free of fear. - Hallelujah.
Not him, not him, not him.
I'm going to Super Like this nerd.
Thanks for everything, from everyone
Searching for something good, but things never last
I continue the journey
Elli! Can we heat up the sauna?
I think we can.
Thank you!
- Aren't we moving too fast? - Olavi!
- I wanna see it, too! - Don't be so uptight.
I'm not uptight! You're shouting it.
- It interests me. - The sauna is ready.
- Are the others coming? - We came.
- You come too, honey. - I'll come in a bit.
- Come now. - I'll come in a bit.
You realise they can hear you across the bay:
"I want to see your dick!"
- Come have a drink. - Live a little!
Let's dance! Whiskey and dance!
Morning.
How long have you been out here chopping?
Since morning.
Looking good.
- Everything all right? - Yeah.
- Was something bothering you last night? - I was tired. Went to bed.
Nothing else?
You and Liina seemed to enjoy yourselves.
We did.
But I was only thinking of you.
I'll race you.
You're just going to stand there?
Hi!
I got a ride back sooner.
And a big fish, let's eat.
People have so many big questions about life.
Questions lead to fear, fear leads to a need to believe in something.
We need to believe in something greater than ourselves.
Something eternal.
I've been worried about Mikko.
He gives himself so selflessly to everyone.
Not that long ago I was willing to give up my job,
I felt insignificant,
- I wasn't serving the people. - How did it go this time?
It went well, actually. I've learned about mourning.
After the initial shock we have a need to reminisce.
To use our time and energy,
to live in the past.
We cling to and replay our memories.
It brings comfort and meaning.
I never quite understood how nostalgic we are.
You're right.
Your visit is a good example.
As soon as I saw you, I came alive.
I felt the same thing.
We've hardly been in touch, besides social media.
I haven't seen you for fifteen years.
But as soon as I saw you, I remembered.
I felt young again. Felt my existence.
I was more human. If that makes sense.
What does it mean? I don't know.
But it opened something, and now I want more.
Amen.
- Morning. - Morning.
Sleep well?
- Not really. - Why?
Too much light.
- Milk? - No, thanks.
What are your plans?
Party still on? Whisky and crayfish?
I really have to write. I'll get back to my work.
Are you coming to church?
I don't feel like it today.
That's a shame. You would've heard my sermon.
Will you join me for a walk?
I have to write, sorry.
OK. Good. Enjoy.
I thought something happened to you.
- Been looking for me? - Yes.
Mikko left for the mainland.
And you have to wait. Like a bitter grass widow.
- Can't be easy. - What's wrong with you?
- I don't understand you. - That seems to be the issue.
We don't really understand each other.
When two people are drawn to each other
they believe that they think alike.
That their thoughts complement each other
and everything's spontaneous and wonderful.
Then something happens.
They understand that they've mistaken each other completely.
You think so?
I'm speaking of things I've seen and heard.
What have you seen and heard?
How you two make love, and how much you enjoy it.
You don't know what I enjoy.
Or don't enjoy. What I long for.
You love Mikko and want to be happy with him.
You left.
I waited for you.
When I realised you weren't coming back,
I decided to forget you.
I went to study, I travelled.
I met many wonderful men.
I had wild relationships.
All kinds of relationships.
One-night stands. Some longer affairs.
Then Mikko came into my life. He loved me.
We got married.
It felt right.
Years later you show up here.
I waited for you.
I love you.
Morning.
Let's take a trip.
I want you to touch me.
Put your fingers inside me.
Deep inside.
Deeper.
No.
Not yet.
Go on.
Push deeper. Harder.
Faster. That's it.
Faster.
Let's go.
Hi!
- Were you on a picnic? - Yes.
Had you waited, I would've come with you.
It's our anniversary, or the day I first came
to Elli's parents' house. You were there, too.
It's like an anniversary, so we must celebrate.
Weather's so beautiful, let's light up the barbeque.
Come outside for a toast.
It is so wonderful to be with someone
you can fall in love with every day.
It's rare to have someone like that in your life.
The only sad thing is we don't have children.
- Any particular reason why? - Elli hasn't wanted any.
Remember my collage girlfriend?
It was horrible. She had an abortion.
Remember?
It's hard to think about it.
I could be a father.
I could have a...
But you have each other.
Elli! I've missed you.
You're so wonderful. Come closer.
To us. To our anniversary.
Let's heat up the barbeque, put Barbie in heat.
That was humour.
Barbie's in heat.
- Are you angry with me? - No.
I can't stop Mikko coming close to me.
You can, you just don't want to.
It's aflame.
Barbecue's hot. Soon we can eat.
Come here, Elli.
Liina can take me to the mainland tomorrow
- and from there to Helsinki. - No way! You can't leave yet.
The barbecue's on fire!
Lots of bilberries, forests are full of them.
A man goes to pick berries, finds a good spot.
He's happy, picks it dry, litres of berries.
He goes home or picks some more.
But when a woman finds a good spot.
She sees a better spot and moves there.
Her peripheral vision picks up a better spot.
And this goes on. It's impossibly ludicrous.
An incredible amount of berries are left...
They have some bush... What sort of bilberries?
- High-bush blueberries. - Right, bigger and less sweet.
How about a row or a walk?
- I'm out, but you go. - Shall we go?
- Let's go to bed then. - Please let me be.
- Let's lie down. - I don't feel like it now.
Let's cuddle and kiss.
Don't touch me! I'm suffocating!
Fuck off already!
I'm sorry.
Forgive me.
I understand you.
Though I don't want to.
I understand you.
Freedom is the right not to lie.
- How are you, my friend? - I'm leaving today.
- You're really going to leave? - Yes.
Stay a while longer.
I'll come back next summer.
Let's hope that...
the weather will be as good.
Forgive me.
Forgive you for what?
Remember our journey to Barcelona?
I do... until I passed out.
What about the trip to Riga?
We walked all the way back to the hotel.
A divinely beautiful morning.
Childhood snow. Nice and crispy.
I was in the moment, remember that? -I do.
We won't have winters like that anymore.
No snow. Can't go skiing.
I'm going to start hunting more often.
And travel, as soon as it's possible again.
New places form clearer memories,
in case we need to cling to them.
Misfortune is to be left without another's love.
Misery is if you yourself don't love.
Is it tasty?
We should all go duck hunting together.
That could be fun.
Could be fun.
Come with me.
Do you feel like you can be yourself with me?
Yes, but I'm too afraid to talk to you.
I'm afraid to be honest.
- Why? - I'm scared that if I'm honest...
You react so strongly.
Are you afraid of me?
I'm afraid you'll abandon me.
I love you.
The way you are.
You can be free.
I just want you to be happy.
Sometimes I'm so fucking angry.
Sometimes very sad, sometimes empty.
I don't feel anything.
I hate you so fucking much.
But I'm also relieved. Only good can come of this.
Whatever you choose next,
I accept it.
And I'm grateful that you've shared your life with me.
I'm grateful that you're honest.
I love you so much that I only hope you're happy.
With or without me.
Do you want to come fishing?
Yes.
Good.