House of Cards (2013)

An old man walks into the strip club. His clothes are old and worn. He walks towards a table in the corner with expertise. He cuddles on the chair and waves “hello” to one of the dancers. This is Bjorn.  

Mart is telling Bjorn’s story to Luukas, who plays darts at the door of the club. Mart explains that he doesn’t want to be like Bjorn when he grows old. Life has to be more than day in and day out. That is why he is saving money so he can go out of the country. Luukas listens while he pretends not too care.  

Mart is at his final working week at the club and is confronted by the club owner, Karl, who offers him a manager position in order for Mart to stay.  

Mart keeps working and in between dancers, cigarettes, drunks and conversations with Luukas he starts postponing his trip. Luukas keeps encouraging Mart to go but Mart finds new excuses to stay, as he is getting more and more comfortable and settled in the club. 

Mart confesses to one of the dancers, Kayla, that he feels unsure about leaving, as he does not know what to expect.  

Marts reluctance to leave, the fact that he is exchanging his dream for comfort makes him and Luukas drift apart, and between the lights and the music of the club Mart will give up on his dream and loose his best friend