Good Girls

This Finnish documentary tells the story of three women trying to gain the recognition of their relatives and others around them. It seems, though, that good intentions and diligence are never enough. As a result each of them is constantly fighting the feeling of her own inability and inadequacy. 54-year-old Pirjo, a teacher at a special school who has four kids of her own, says, “I feel guilty if I am not helping others. I ought to learn how to think of myself sometimes.” Suvi, an 18-year-old prospective school-leaver, claims, “If someone praises me, I don’t believe them.” Ritta, who is thirty-three and works at the Ministry of Education, explains, “If you work well, you should be rewarded. I often requested promotion from my superiors, but was told I am not a managerial type.” These women actively work for society and are truly indispensable at work and to their families – but immoderate goodness and effort are their particular fatal flaws. Being a ‘good girl’ involves one day answering the questions ‘who am I?’ and ‘what do I really want out of life?’