Laulu

Before there was a written language, there were songs. The wisdom of past generations was memorized, repeated and passed on through song. Knowledge was embodied in the shape of a song. Jussi Huovinen, 89, is the last inhabitant of his home village Hietajärvi. He is the last living person in Finland to have learned the ancient rune songs via oral tradition, from his mother and father. Hanneriina Moisseinen, 35, is a visual artist and a cartoonist who wants to learn his songs and to understand their hidden wisdom. The film follows Hanneriina and Jussi for two and a half years. Songs bring people together across time and space. Songs are the source of comfort and strength when pain is almost unbearable – and they are a vehicle for sharing joy and happiness. (Helsinki International Film Festival)