My Stuff
Director: Petri Luukkainen
Rating: 3.5/5
Petri Luukkainen makes his feature film directorial debut this week with My Stuff: a personal film that sees him embark on a year long experiment.
In the midst of an existential crisis following a recent break-up, Luukkainen begins his experiment: he locks away all his possessions in storage, allowing himself to retrieve only one item a day.
Naked at midnight on day 1, Petri has ahead of him 365 days of creative living.
There is no doubt that this is an interesting concept, as Petri restricts and resists luxury for 365 days.
My Stuff does kick off as a film that looks at the relationship that we all have with our belongings, and asks, why do we clutter our lives with material things?
Throughout the course of the film, we see just how useful things are; they perhaps make our lives a little more comfortable, but nothing more than that.
What I liked so much about this documentary is it never feels contrived. Petri really does just go with the flow and possibly doesn't know what he is doing.
However, the second half of the film does become a little more personal, as we see him embark on a new relationship and deal with his grandmother moving into a home.
All of a sudden, My Stuff becomes a film that sees Petri trying to get back to a better place. It really does become a touching and emotional journey; that does come as a bit of s surprise.
There is something very real and genuine about Luukkainen and that makes him and his experiences over the year incredibly compelling.
On top of all that, My Stuff is a very funny film and the director actually finds humour in the most unusual places. Luukkainen is able to laugh at himself and his situation, and that is incredible refreshing.
2014 has already been a great year for documentaries, and My Stuff is another very intriguing watch.
My Stuff is released 28th March.