‘Fallen Leaves’ Star Alma Poysti, ‘Concrete Night’ Director Pirjo Honkasalo Look for the Sacred in ‘Orenda’: ‘It’s Deep Within Us’

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Golden Globe nominee Alma Pöysti, known for “Fallen Leaves,” is now leading “Orenda.”

The movie, debuting at both Rotterdam and Göteborg film festivals, is helmed by Finnish director Pirjo Honkasalo (“Concrete Night”) and penned by Pirkko Saisio. In this story, renowned opera singer Nora (Pöysti) retreats to a secluded island chain after her husband takes his own life. However, instead of finding solace, she is met with a frosty reception from the local priest, Natalia (Saisio), leading to immediate friction between the two women.

The film is produced by Bufo, while the Yellow Affair handles sales.

They find themselves mirrored in one another, but their dislike is palpable. They’re engaged in a fierce struggle and when they opt for silence, it carries immense weight. It’s a unique Finnish tactic, utilizing silence to such an extent, as Pöysti explains to EbMaster. Over time, the adversaries gradually help each other mend their injuries.

“I found it enjoyable, the way they challenge each other,” Honkasalo adds.

Reflecting on my past works, I’ve noticed a recurring theme: intergenerational guilt. It’s not something that can be easily wiped away, but understanding and compassion can lessen its grip. Sometimes, guilt just vanishes unexpectedly. One might even harbor hatred towards one’s mother, yet find that feeling fades over time. Life’s harshness lies in the fact that there’s no universal solution for reaching that state of freedom from guilt.

In the heart of nature, Nora and Natalia find themselves surrounded by daily splendor. However, Pöysti jokes, “Sunsets can be deceptive.” Honkasalo concurs, stating, “We dislike them. When filming in an archipelago, everyone rushes for sunsets. The light is breathtaking. I often remark that if a film includes a sunset, it will likely win an ecumenical award. I have no problem with beauty, but it must convey something.

Still, the archipelago is a big part of who she is. Same goes for her star.

The director states that the film was filmed in both Finland and Estonia. Finland is known as ‘the land of a thousand lakes’ with nearly 60,000 islands and has two main types of residents: those who live near the lakes and those who reside on the islands, with us belonging to the latter group.

In the novel “Orenda,” meaning ‘great spirit’ or ‘divine essence,’ the two main characters embark on a quest for the sacred, yet according to Pöysti, they each have a fractured connection with the divine.

They bear heavy burdens of guilt, seeking solace in a deeper purpose. It seems that Nora, upon speaking to this priest, yearns for guidance on how to find resolution. Yet, she is disheartened when she realizes she must take the necessary steps herself. Embrace your pain and past experiences. Overcome them or let them drag you under.

According to Honkasalo, “religion can be a dangerous topic.”

She expresses an idea attributed to Pasolini: Westerners often lack a profound spirit. Discussing the soul is more defiant than discussing Marxist uprising. For her and Pirkko, the sanctity of human beings cannot be disregarded. It’s challenging to discuss this, but that’s what makes art, like film and music, so captivating. Through these mediums, one can perceive the divine essence of life.

Consider Bob Dylan as an example. Upon converting to Christianity, he released the album ‘Saved’ in 1980. While driving through France, I popped in the cassette and, being a committed left-wing activist, quickly discarded it out of the car window. Later, I traveled to a Russian Orthodox convent in the Soviet Union to produce a film titled “Mysterion”. Being a small nation, Finland has a tight-knit community where gossip spreads easily. There was talk that ‘Pirjo had gone mad’. They added: ‘She’s already taken up residence in a convent. She’ll wind up in a mental hospital next,’ she chuckles.

In the film, music serves as a “channel to the spirit [realm],” Pöysti notes.

I find myself deeply connected to something greater through my passion, whether it’s singing, acting, or serving as a spiritual leader. Just like a singer, I too can serve as a conduit for emotions and stories. If my voice, the tool of my craft, were to falter, I would lose my very reason for being. Their guiding forces, much like their voices, seem slightly out of tune at times.

A book deeply moved Pirkko; it explored themes of Eros, the divine, violence, and music. According to Honkasalo, these elements frequently intertwine.

On one occasion, we encountered an unusual incident in Finland. An orchestra was playing Handel’s ‘Messiah’ in schools, and a parent objected because her child was allegedly exposed to religion. As a result, the city of Hämeenlinna was ordered to compensate her €1,500. However, it’s important to note that there is a distinction between discussing religion and spirituality. Religion refers to a structured method of worship, whereas spirituality pertains to the innate sense of holiness or sacredness within us.

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2025-02-01 16:47