“Heartbeats” by the Finnish filmmaker Saara Cantell tells seven stories of seven women. All of the episodes were shot in one take, the camera always following the actresses through real time events. Martta is hiding a secret from her family. Nora desires to grow wings. Meri is learning to be wary of her dreams. Olga and Fardusa are looking for a better future far away from home, while Emi is constantly making wrong choices. In the mean time Anu runs into a ghost from her past in the grocery store parking lot. But soon the women come to notice that a single encounter can change their lives. A witty film about encounters and the consequences of choices: what will they choose?

Awards:
2010 – Special Jury Prize – Silver Dolphin – in the 26th International Film Festival “Festroia”, Portugal.

About the director:
Saara Cantell graduated from the filmmaking studies in the University of Art and Design Helsinki in 1996. She has written more than 10 scripts for short films and a number of radio dramas. She has directed TV shows for children, and created a full feature children’s film “Unna & Nuuk” in 2005. Recently, she maintained a thesis on short films and is preparing to take her Doctor’s degree. She is living with her husband and three sons in Helsinki.

Trailer: