Void

A possible Finnish relative of Woody Allen’s classics? Intellectual people converse about culture, society, and love, and the whole thing is stylishly portrayed in black and white. At the centre of the events are writer Eero and actress Phila. He has a complete writer’s block, while she is on the verge of her international breakthrough. As the distance between the couple increases, Eero immerses himself in the role of the destructive artist until it takes on Knausgårdian proportions.

Void manages to feel universal and very Finnish at the same time: On the one hand, it tells a story that could have taken place in any intellectual community. But when the film reaches its unexpected climax, the inherent gloominess of the Finnish society manifests itself – through a string of tragicomic events.

Rising star Laura Birn (The Innocents) and Tommi Korpela both deliver brilliant interpretations of the two main characters. Especially enjoyable is the contrast between Phila’s first few steps towards Hollywood stardom, and Eero’s desperate struggle to rediscover some inspiration to keep writing at home in Finland. There is also a clear feminist inclination to the story, which adds some extra bite to the narrative.