Without money, without papers, and without language skills, Pena manages to get by in Fuengirola, whether on the beach, in restaurants, or at pig festivals.

The boisterous good humor of Jurmala, the nickel-mine owner, is, if anything, only barely dented by the raging battles in Finland before, during and after World War Two. In fact, everywhere he goes, he meets prospective customers on all sides of the conflict with his all-inclusive greeting "Friends, Comrades." Indeed, the resource he is wrenching from the earth's bowels is necessary to all forms of industrial activity, and is especially necessary for military applications. Thus, he has no reason to fear that he will ever run out of customers. This doesn't prevent him from using every possible means to entice them. At home, his relationship with his wife is not so prosperous, and they resort to some extraordinary means to try and keep on an even keel.

The Päätalo film tells the story of Kalle Päätalo, a carpenter and master builder, and his burning desire to become a writer, as well as the long road that led to the creation of Päätalo's first novel. Too much hard work, too little love in his marriage, and too little self-confidence prevent Kalle Päätalo from realizing his lifelong dream of becoming a writer. Until he finds new love.

In 2017 Finland celebrates 100 years of independence. The famous philosopher Bruno is curing his writers' block in Lapland, when he gets an invitation to the President's Grand Ball in Helsinki. The railway systems are frozen and he misses the only plane, but the Laplander Jallu agrees to drive him 1200 km (745 miles) south.

The petty criminal Trampas is released from prison and immediately starts planning new jobs with his girlfriend's simpleminded brother Lepsu. They are joined by Trampas's pregnant girlfriend and Jusse, a refugee from Rwanda, as a driver.

Both diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, politicians Esko Seppänen and Iiro Viinanen forge a deep friendship despite their ideological differences.