Portraits of Women

A pornography-oriented filmmaker who has returned to Finland from America. He is bold, restless, and driven to redefine Finnish romance cinema, often pushing his subjects beyond conventional boundaries. He orchestrates intimate encounters as part of his artistic project, while navigating the messy personal fallout that follows.

Liisa is Jussi's wife, initially hosting the crayfish party and later entangled in an affair with Pertti. She is bold and conflicted, aware of the scandal her actions could cause, yet drawn to the allure of Pertti's world. Her choices test loyalty and reveal her own desires for independence within a faithful marriage.

Saara is a biology teacher who is about to divorce her husband. She rejects Pertti's initial advances, then engages in a night of passion with him and eventually forms a complicated bond. She seeks more than mere romance, hinting at political or intellectual engagement beyond private affairs.

Sven is a young man who, with Ulla, appears in Pertti's 'Summer Love' material. He reconciles with Ulla and they plan to marry, becoming part of the couple's dynamic captured by Pertti. He embodies hopeful, uncomplicated love within the film's more complex backdrop.

Ulla is Sven's partner and a focal point of the 'Summer Love' material. She and Sven aspire to marry, and her presence intensifies the group’s romantic and artistic negotiations. She also experiences the boundary-testing filming that permeates the story.

The cinematographer who supports a modern vision of cinema and helps shape the film's aesthetic. He warns Pertti to keep his head out of the shot, but Ultimately contributes to capturing the spontaneous love between Ulla and Sven. His perspective embodies the tension between documentary realism and narrative cinema.

Liisa's husband, a central figure in the home where Pertti's film plans unfold. His presence grounds the domestic sphere and his reaction to the unfolding affairs underscores the play between private life and public performance. He embodies the traditional household center that is disrupted by Pertti's artistic ambitions.