The Wait (Odotus)

Can you pass the bread?

We're out of butter.

You can eat it without butter too.

Don't be afraid.

Fly now.

Hallo, cutie.

You are beautiful.

I love you.

- Are you going to the mainland today? - No, not today.

Do you remember... my friend Olavi Kalm?

I Forgot to mention that he called. He's on his way here now.

He now lives in Paris and wanted to escape the city.

He didn't know where, so I invited him. OK?

He can go to the guest room. We have enough space.

The coffee tastes really good.

At the same time... the world has changed.

That's the way it is. I had the same feeling on my return to Finland.

Come by our country house.

- Sounds scary. - Whiskey and crab?

Maybe I'll come over.

Thanks so much.

Hey.

Hallo.

Pretty far from France to Finland.

- You could say so. - But it's worth it!

- Definitely, of course. - Good.

We'll go hunting and fishing.

And you will have forgotten city life in no time Have?

Not much going on here at the moment, but hardly any people live here.

We had summer guests...

...a lot of them this summer.

This is our fifth year as permanent residents.

Service apartment.

Here we are.

Good boy, Usko.

The house needs constant maintenance.

Every time you fix one thing, something else falls apart.

- Looks great though. - Thanks.

We really like it here.

- Despite the work. We have it great here. - Yes I can see that. Follow me.

Usko is already...

...half blind and almost deaf, but a good watchdog.

For real?

- Are those cherry trees? - No, these are plums.

Cherry trees are behind the house.

We grow most of our food in our own garden.

Our neighbours supply milk and eggs.

We also fish and hunt.

Elli! Olavi is here!

- Nice weather. - However.

Hallo. Olavi.

Hey.

- Hi. - Warm welcome.

So we still welcome each other despite Covid with a handshake or a hug.

Although, maybe not always immediately.

- Nice to see you again. - Yes.

It must have been 15 years ago that you last saw each other, right?

- Do you remember, Elli? - May be.

- At least 15 years. - It feels like an eternity.

You had just started studying.

- I hope you have a really nice time here. - I hope so too.

But the house is in need of a lot of work.

Master Kalm, come look at the view.

So you're writing your thesis?

- What about? - It's about beauty.

Sounds interesting, and complex.

- Follow me. - Yes, beautiful here.

So, do you have a partner? Married?

Unfortunately not. I Never managed to nail one down.

And do you prefer? Men or women? Or does it matter?

Mainly women.

We should find you a Lockdown-lover.

- Lockdown-lover? - Soon the Island will be full of beautiful people.

- Attractive people. - I've got to know someone.

I met one on the ferry.

Her turn-on's were climate change and magic mushrooms.

A really smart woman. Aspiring doctor.

- That must have been Liina. - Yes.

It was her, we waved.

So, doctors, Soldiers, policemen and priests...

They're the keepers. Especially doctors and priests.

Well, maybe not the priests.

Cheers.

I'll be right back.

We don't have much contact with the outside world.

Sometimes I just forget about the rest of the world.

But it's nice to have a quest. Refreshing.

Is your father still alive?

No.

I've always enjoyed talking to him.

He often spoke of you after you left.

He was waiting for you to come back.

I intended to.

But then came Paris...

- Look what I found. - Thank you.

Ignore the jacket, take a look at these.

I had pimples back then.

Elli, is the guest room ready?

- Yes, everything is ready. - Very good.

I'll be fine, thanks.

Good. Well then good night.

- Goodnight. - I See you in the morning.

I guess we should go to bed too.

I'll be right there.

Ok, see you then.

Do you still go fishing?

Not a lot of places to fish in Paris.

Or are you speaking metaphorically?

What, no hanky-panky?

You really haven't changed a bit, you rascal...

There was one woman there... But it was too complicated.

- Give me the soap. - She was married.

Have you lost weight?

I don't know, maybe a little.

Have you gained weight?

Maybe a little bit. Cold water makes you look thin, doesn't it?

So how was it, with the married woman?

Great.

Weekend trips.

Stimulating dinners, and other activities.

I hate those jet-ski's. I should get my shotgun.

It was not always like this. At first... Elli didn't want to commit herself.

She wanted to travel around and continue studying.

But then she came back to me. We got married and moved here.

I got a job offer here on the islands.

It's a completely different kind of life here.

Slowly and...

...beautiful.

In the middle of the national park.

That vinyl sound is unmistakable.

- So analogue and self-sufficient. - There's no internet on the islands.

I can stream at work but here it's vinyl.

That's all we have at home. Cooler Sound.

Listen! This sound works always and everywhere. That is...

...a work of art, a real classic.

Come on, beautiful woman.

Dance, dance for me!

Dance, dance! Shake your hips baby!

- Isn't it great? - Yes.

The ferry stops once a day we're, on the edge of civilization. But we keep on rockin'.

Next are The Beatles with this masterpiece.

Okay...

Don't worry. He'll definitely get bored soon.

See you later.

I love you!

Dammit!

I'm sorry.

- Am I disturbing your work? - No you didn't.

How's your writing coming along?

Well... slowly.

I suppose that's normal.

- Do you still play the cello? - Very rarely.

Do you want to go for a walk?

Mikko said you're writing your doctoral thesis. What's it about?

About women.

I see.

About the women in the films of François Truffaut.

You care so very much for women.

I am interested in both women and men.

For the complexity of their relationships.

Relationships in general.

And yet, you are not in a relationship.

I was, until recently.

We wanted different things in life.

If love is the most important thing in life, then what is it exactly?

Is leaving someone also love?

And is love somehow in relation to your own self?

That you always remain honest to yourself?

If you didn't love her, there was no chance for happiness.

Maybe I'm looking for something better.

Look who's back.

Hallo!

God's greetings.

- And how are you? - Very good. Elli showed me the Island.

- Did you get what we need from the store? - Yes.

- Did you get everything? - Yes, everything.

I ran into Liina. I was to say hello to Olavi from her.

- Okay. - I think she likes you.

- She invited us to her place. - Yeah.

Do you want me to take you with me?

We'll walk, or I will.

- Start peeling the potatoes. - Okay.

Actually I walk too, but you don't have to do anything, I'm cooking today.

Good evening ladies and gentleman. Are you ready?

We'll start the evening with a potato-coriander...

...blue cheese puree,

First of its kind., so... It is about...

...about the creations, from the experimental kitchen.

- Thank you very much. - You're very welcome.

A harmonious taste collage...

...with ingredients from the garden...

...of our hosts.

- Wonderful, Olvi. Very... French. - No, Mikko.

No...

A very special Island cuisine.

Cheers!

Oh, now I forgot myself.

Please enjoy before it gets cold.

Yes.

I must say...