Koti-ikävä
Following a suicide attempt, 17-year-old Sami has been placed in a young people’s psychiatric home. His arm in a sling, his face hidden by his long hair, he refuses to speak about what has happened. For the most part, Sami is a quiet lad, but occasionally he has outbursts so extreme that the staff tie him to his bed. However, one carer, Taneli, gradually manages to get him to open up. Sami’s parents are divorced, his father lives in Sweden. His somewhat neurotic and over-protective mother wants Sami to come back to her. But to everyone’s surprise, Sami would rather stay in the psychiatric home – until he finally reveals the secret reason for his act of desperation. (Festival information)
Through its impressive aesthetics and dramaturgy Petri Kotwica’s debut feature film succeeds in portraying more than just an individual fate and momentary image of society. Homesick is a plea full of hope for a humane society that looks after of those who are often overlooked: the young people.