Island of Hope
The life of Nadja, a highly sensitive woman in her twenties, consists of partying, stress, and alcohol-fueled get-togethers with friends. Anxiety and depression are part of her chaotic inner world. As she reflects on her life, Nadja realizes that the Kallio neighborhood and alcohol will be the end of her unless she makes major changes in her life. Nadja sets off by boat with her father and grandfather to a cabin on an island in Lake Päijänne, where her grandfather’s uncle, Toivo, once lived. Toivo was known in the area as the “Hermit of Lake Päijänne.” The time spent on the island teaches her a great deal about both Toivo and herself. Being alone forces Nadja to confront her own fears. She attends various self-help events and seeks clarity and balance in her life through Eastern religions and yoga classes. Little by little, she also comes to understand that she carries traumas passed down through several generations. The documentary follows Nadja’s life over the course of six years. How does she grow as a person year by year, and can she find happiness by being more forgiving of herself?

