Matti Mustonen

Interpreting Love

This docudrama takes us on a journey through Nikolai Astrup's life and the inspiration behind some of his most famous paintings until his early death in 1928.

In his youth, the author Frej has already found a deep connection and passion with an upper-class girl, Stella Rabell, that has lasted between them through the decades. When Stella's older brother Alex falls victim to a stabbing attack, Frej begins to reminisce about the events of decades past. Frej's memories from the bright 1970s to the present day are filled with love, jealousy, betrayal, life and death.

Helsinki in the summer is shown differently through the eyes of the homicide unit detectives, Timo Harjunpää and Onerva Nykänen; painting a picture of the city where people are not safe in the streets or not even in their own homes. In the midst of the hard crimes it is impossible not to feel the constant worry about your own family while being afraid of losing touch with your children.