The story of the film is told through tales that are based around the myths, legends and old beliefs that are part of the Finnish mythology. There are two narrative voices in the story, one male and one female. The female voice also the first-person narrator, who is the main character of the story, is the daughter of Ahti and Vellamo, the god and goddess of the sea. She is Ahitar, the maiden of water. This sea maiden is a spirit born in a spring who has her own tale in the Finnish mythology. (This narrator is personified in the story, and she is not to be confused with the mermaids, characters commonly found in many stories and fairy tales.) There are five acts in the story, and the different times of year follow the different acts. The speak text recounts the history of the Finnish lakes spanning over thousands of years, and introduces its animals, sights and miracles.
What's On
Hamnet Hamnet
Chloé Zhao
Tuesday, 03. 03. 2026 / 15:30 / Main Hall
Chloé Zhao (Nomadland) imagines how a tragedy from Shakespeare’s real life might have inspired the creation of his timeless masterpiece Hamlet. Starring the exceptional Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal, the film is a moving story about love, loss, and the healing power of art.
Ungrateful Beings Nevděčné bytosti
Olmo Omerzu
Tuesday, 03. 03. 2026 / 18:10 / Main Hall
Slovenian director Olmo Omerzu (Family Film), based in the Czech Republic, returns with an original drama about a family in crisis, infused with subtle humour and unexpected narrative turns. The film had its world premiere in the main competition at the San Sebastián Film Festival.
Late Shift Heldin
Petra Volpe
Tuesday, 03. 03. 2026 / 20:30 / Main Hall
Shot with the pacing and tension of a thriller, Late Shift follows a single night in the working life of a nurse in an overcrowded Swiss hospital. Both gripping and compassionate, the film is a tribute to the extraordinary people who stand by us in the most vulnerable moments of our lives.