Sudden Outbursts of Emotions (directed by Paula Korva, Finland) opens with Jane (Iina Kuustonen), a travel agent whose job is to sell adventures while she lives a safe, predictable life in Helsinki with her long‑term partner Mikki (Riku Nieminen). When Mikki proposes an open‑relationship experiment, Jane reluctantly agrees to attend a sex‑positive retreat, only to encounter Valma, a confident free‑spirited woman who turns everything upside down.

The film unfolds as a dramedy that treads the line between candid sexuality and reflections on relationship dynamics. Korva treats polyamory, desire, and mid‑life uncertainty not with shock tactics, but with empathy and wit. Jane’s arc, from cautious faithfulness and conventional standards, through to hesitance and emotional turmoil, is treated with both humour and heartbreak.

Kuustonen delivers a quietly powerful performance as Jane: reserved yet expressive, torn between loyalty and her awakening yearning. Nieminen brings credible vulnerability to Mikki’s longing for freedom. Laura Malmivaara as Valma radiates self‑assuredness, her presence upending Jane’s rigid worldview.

Visually, the film uses minimalist Nordic aesthetics, capturing intimate scenes within the homes of the characters without being overt. The script avoids melodrama, choosing instead to dwell in moments of awkward laughter, sincere confession, and interior conflict.

One of the most effective aspects of Sudden Outbursts of Emotions is its sex‑positive framing. Polyamory is viewed in a non‑judgemental, playful, and grounded manner. The Scandinavian Film Festival spotlight is well‑earned, the film has previously won top honours at the Finnish Film Affair for its honest treatment of modern relationships and joyous spirit of exploration.

As part of the Hurtigruten Scandinavian Film Festival at Palace Nova (on screens at Eastend and Prospect locations in Adelaide from July 23–August 13), the film stands out as a bold, contemporary voice from Finland’s new generation of filmmakers.

Sudden Outbursts of Emotions is an insightful, compassionate, and witty debut feature. It challenges conventional romance narratives without preaching, inviting viewers to consider what love means when boundaries shift. A thoughtful addition to Adelaide’s festival line‑up.

Check out the Hurtigruten Scandinavian Film Festival at Palace Nova here.