Island of Hope

Not built to fit in
What happens when the world expects more than you can give? The pressure to succeed, the feeling that you don't quite belong and the struggle to get through the day can become too much to bear. Anxiety and substance use are often part of a much bigger picture.

In Miikka Poutiainen's Island of Hope, 24-year-old Nadja is caught up in Helsinki's underground party scene, where drugs and restless nights have become part of everyday life. As things begin to fall apart, she heads to a remote island on Lake Päijänne in search of some peace. But away from the noise of the city, there's nowhere to hide from herself.

Filmed over six years, the documentary explores mental health, belonging and the search for a different way of living. What if fitting in means losing sight of who you are?

After the screening, Emma Albert, Jarkko Pulkkinen and Aarni Sippola from the Joensuu Youth Council will join with Jenni Tervo (North Karelia's wellbeing services,mental health unit), to discuss the film's themes.