Naisenkaari

Ah, ageing! That process which we all know to be inevitable but want to stop. The elixir of life, supposed to grant its owner eternal youth, beauty and health has been the obsession of numerous cultures through time and space. Untold stories have been penned about it, and equally untold numbers of people, believing the stories to be true, have set out on long journeys in its search. Today, the elixir may have been replaced by "anti-ageing" creams and dietary regimens, but the primal desire to be young forever is as strong in us as it was in our ancestors. This film depicts the stories of 50 different women, and in doing so takes an incisive look at their deepest desires, fears, hopes and vulnerabilities. In doing so, it captures the very essence of womanhood, an essence that transcends the bounds of time and space. The depictions of the women's bodies complement the narrative, showing the hidden desperation of maintaining an all-too-fleeting beauty. As a woman myself, this film tugged at my heartstrings.