Lea Joutseno

A story set over one night in a small rural community we watch various relationships and actions among local people; these include birth, death, and conflicts fuelled by alcohol. The fates of various characters become interlaced over a long and light-filled summer night in the Finnish countryside. Lumberjacks, a deer-eyed young man Nokia, a family of poor farmers, a young girl and her lover. New life is born, old life dies, man is slain in his prime, and his widow continues her life.

A story about Meeri who is going through a divorce. She is hiding the relationship with a boxer. After seeing an advertisement in a magazine, she then hires a cavalier from an ad agency to escort her home from an upper-class party.

Poor but ambitious country girl Hulda arrives in the country's capital and gets a job as a maid for a bachelor Member of Parliament, Judge Soratie. She works hard, never loses her common sense, and starts taking evening classes. Keeping her studies secret from her employer for years, she eventually graduates from the university and becomes candidate in the parliamentary election, stressing women's and working people's rights. Romance with Judge Soratie finally ensues.

Ulla Järvinen gets a telegram about the death of her aunt and that she has inherited a manor, but the aunt is very much alive.

Aarne marries Martta because his mother tells him it is his duty as the eldest son to marry a wealthy girl. However, the attractive school teacher Ilona arrives in the village and causes complications when Aarne falls in love with her.

Perky student Inkeri 'Iiri' Paappanen and businessman Taavi Takkulainen fall in love during a boat trip, but a misunderstanding at a hotel in Stockholm causes their break-up. Returning to Finland, Inkeri applies to become a governess and gets a job at Taavi's parents' family. Consul General Albert, Taavi's brother intends to take advantage of Iiri in his political endeavors.

Docent Einar Koskimaa is applying for a professorship in odontology, or dentistry. He is not selected for the position because his wayward daughter Lotta Koskimaa has caused a scandal at the school dance. Frustrated and estranged from his wife, Einar falls in love with candidate Raili Tervola, who is also liked by the docent's student son Viljo Koskimaa.

A young woman leaving the city for the countryside encounters the concept of voluntary work - new to her. She eventually does good, and charms the employer at the same time.

A smart set girl wants more excitement in her life and ends being mixed up in criminal activities.

The press gets excited about a girl from a fish factory who accidentally wins the Girl of the Week beauty contest and writes an imaginative story about her as a millionaire heiress. Soon, the factory manager's son and socialites who want a share of her publicity are competing for her attention.

After many years away a woman returns to her hometown in Lapland with her husband. There she falls in love with a handsome forester.

A bored rich girl falls in love with a dock worker.

Doctor's daughter Leila is getting married to engineer Lauri. Before the wedding, Lauri's ex-girlfriend Asta and poet Esko, who is in love with Leila, mess up the relationship between the happy couple.

Liisa Harju, a lively and quick-witted teacher from Savo, gets her first job in Latomeri, Ostrobothnia. She falls out of favor with the local women when the eligible bachelor, doctor Eino Korpinen, takes a liking to her.

Teacher's daughter Anna cannot enter the music college because of her family's opposition. At the request of her relatives she goes to Helsinki to study administrative sciences, but nasty fellow students make the girl leave the university and apply to become a nurse.

Director Tobias Strömberg reluctantly leaves for refresher training, which shoemaker Hesekiel Naukkarinen arrives at full of enthusiasm. Sergeant Naukkarinen from Savo and Sergeant Major Joki-Paavola from Ostrobothnia compete for the favor of Colonel Emma, the colonel's cook. The colonel's daughter Helvi charms not only Lieutenant Raimo Tappara but also the family man Strömberg.

Women sit over tea and chat about the proper way to make tea.