Elina Halttunen

In December 1917, a Finnish delegation arrives in St. Petersburg to meet Vladimir Lenin to seek recognition of Finland's independence.

Office clerk Eero Koskinen prefers to spend his nights drinking and reminiscing the war with his friends, instead of taking care of his wife and two children. A two-week drinking spree gets him fired, and a new job is not easy to find because of his reputation. He goes to a rehab centre in the countryside for a couple of weeks, but with no permanent result. Meanwhile, his wife has to get a job and is employed by her old sweetheart, now a recently divorced successful businessman.

The Päätalo film tells the story of Kalle Päätalo, a carpenter and master builder, and his burning desire to become a writer, as well as the long road that led to the creation of Päätalo's first novel. Too much hard work, too little love in his marriage, and too little self-confidence prevent Kalle Päätalo from realizing his lifelong dream of becoming a writer. Until he finds new love.