Therapy
Finnish film stars search for the secret to a long marriage in a historical Estonian mansion.
Marriage no longer works for popular authors Leena and Pekka, though their careers as couples’ therapists are thriving. He still loves her. She hates the therapy. After spending 600,000 euros restoring a historic manor, they open a wellness retreat on Estonia’s northernmost tip, devoted to helping others mend their relationships.
Esa, a devoted fan of “The Bridges of Madison County”, feels excluded and suffocated at home. Everything he says sounds wrong, and he still can’t forgive Jaana’s fling with playboy Börje, despite their so-called open relationship. Shy Anna arrives alone, without her missing husband Timo, who only appears in her imagination. The demanding gay couple, Anders and Janne, are distracted by a weak mobile signal, while Swedish film director Peter becomes a real splinter between the two actors.
Over five days at the stunning Purekkari Cape, the guests take part in sessions and games that demand honesty, courage, and a willingness to face the water. Amid laughter, heartbreak, desire, guilt, jealousy, and playful flirtation, these souls learn to accept, to heal, to resist falling in love again – or to finally let go.
Edvinas Pukšta
Paavo Westerberg (1973) is an award-winning, internationally acclaimed film director, screenwriter, theatre director and playwright from Finland. He studied acting at the Theatre Academy of Finland, graduating with a Master’s degree in Theatre in 2000. Early in his career Westerberg made his name as a writer of films such as “Paha maa” (“Frozen Land”, 2005) and “Valkoinen kaupunki” (“Frozen City”, 2006), both of which won him the Jussi Award for Best Screenplay. In 2018, he expanded into directing with his first feature film “Viulisti” (“The Violin Player”) that had its international premiere in the main competition category in Göteborg film festival and has been shown at more than 20 international film festivals. He is also one of the leading theatre directors in Finland. He has written and directed almost 25 plays.
Filmography:
Viulisti (The Violin Player, 2018), Terapia (Therapy, 2025)
Award for Best Baltic Film, grant of 5000€ from Piletilevi
