Writing
The film takes place in the summer and spring of 1940. Isä, the father, gets involved in the stock market and threatens the livelihood of the family.
Olli, a schoolboy from the Suominen family, accidentally causes two accidents, which he does not dare to confess to his father Väinö. He runs away from home in Helsinki and tries to get to the Savijärvi clearing camp with his friend Jaska. The journey, which began joyfully, turns into a nightmare when the boys, who have run into trouble, have to flee from the law and Olli's lively little sister Pipsa.
Olli Suominen goes through the usual troubles of a teenager. After being in the war he is trying to find his place in the society. And the relations with his family is in turmoil. He also finds the sweet life in restaurants more exhilarating than being in the school and reading books for the forthcoming student exams.
Pipsa catches the theater bug. The schoolgirl becomes obsessed with acting, which causes suffering for the whole family. Pipsa's brother Olli arranges performances for his sister and collects money for a poor war widow.
Olli Suominen fancies his teacher and other shenanigans.
Vuokko takes shelter from a thunderstorm in a fishing hut and meets a mysterious man whom she suspects is the smuggler Rompan Eetu. Instead of reporting him, Vuokko decides to follow him to Helsinki to the smugglers' hideout on the condition that he agrees to turn himself and his comrades in to the police.
Eerikki Lind, a young university student working as a sailor, falls in love with the beautiful Kirsti on the canal. The budding Midsummer romance between the young people is overshadowed by jealousy and the tragic love story of Kirsti's parents.
The life story of Aleksis Kivi, author of the first Finnish novel in Finnish language and (posthumously) its most successful writer.
Returning to Helsinki from an unsuccessful tour of the countryside, an artist family finds itself in financial difficulties due to unemployment. Volmari Suurmetso, an engineer who has fallen in love with the family's singing daughter Sointu, wants to help and hires the whole family for a new revue. Sointu's sister Jutta and her boyfriend, journalist Erkka Karhu, write a script called "The Emperor's New Points," inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale and the clothing coupons used during times of scarcity.
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.
A poet finds a new muse in young woman.
