OVERSEAS AND UNDER YOUR SKIN

OVERSEAS AND UNDER YOUR SKIN (MAATA MEREN ALLA), 2009
Finland | 35mm, Color, 86’ | Finnish
Director: Lenka Hellstedt
Cast: Amira Khalifa, Marja Packalén, Matti Ristinen

Ida, a woman of African origin who was adopted at a young age and immigrated to Finland, is in her 30s, lives with her mother, is unemployed and somewhat peevish. Her mother Kati, a former activist, believes her daughter has grown old enough to assume responsibility. With the encouragement of Ville, a homosexual who is her only friend and the only man in her life, Ida decides to move to Berlin to prove to her mother that she can manage on her own. While dealing with problems such as trying to adapt to her new surroundings, keeping up with her forthright crazy next-door neighbor, and finding a job, Ida must also work out her relationship with her mother.