Sin (2019)

John Strandberg's short film about human relationships.

Päivi is living her normal everyday life, when Abdulla appears to her home one evening. Abdulla asks for a place to stay and Päivi at first thinks he’s crazy. Despite Päivi’s initial reaction, Abdulla persuades (and slightly blackmails) Päivi to take him inside, based on church’s guidelines to offer asylum to those in the need of it. Päivi isn’t happy about this arrangement, and calls to the police.
She learns that Abdulla has 7 days before he most likely gets rejected again and is finally deported. The police tell her to keep Abdulla there, so that they know where they can contact him. It’s not the result she was looking for, but she agrees, as it’s for sure not going to take more than 7 days. Abdulla makes himself at home, which makes Päivi feel very much out of her comfort zone. Abdulla, feeling grateful having given this opportunity to stay at her place, tries to pay back to her by helping around the house and the yard. Abdulla finds hints of Päivi’s past, but doesn’t really put the pieces together. Päivi feels violated and gets angry, as she feels like her personal space is being attacked.
After calming down she regrets her outburst and apologizes. She learns more about Abdulla and his history and how he might die if he goes back to Kabul. She starts to feel more compassionate towards him, but at the same time she starts to feel slightly guilty about being part of something that might result in Abdulla getting hurt.
Päivi doesn’t want to get too attached to Abdulla, but he starts to win her over. She finds herself in a situation where she has to come clean about her past and the guilt that she still bears. She’s surprised by Abdulla’s reaction, as he doesn’t judge or reject her in any way. She becomes more depended on him and starts to like him more, they get along well. The authorities let Päivi know that Abdulla is going to get finally deported and they’re going to pick him up. Päivi decides to save a life this.

Keywords: human relationships | cultural differences | sin | View all »