story

If you didn't know him any better, 19-year old Jed's life has been almost perfect. Successful parents, lots of friends and success at school ensure him a rosy future. However...

Jed doesn't know what he wants in life. Fed up by his parents' career directions, Jed decides to leave it all behind. Without a plan, he gets on a train and ends up in a small town in Finland.

When his money runs out, Jed comes face to face with the cold reality of independent living. The tenderloin on his campground barbecue gives way to cheap supermarket casserole, and his only friend is a dog named Jesse James, which has forced itself into his company.

But Jed doesn't give up. His dreams of working as a trendy radio DJ or a wordsmith of a columnist at the local newspaper are shot down, but he does get a job in the newspaper industry - as a deliveryman.

Out on the town, Jed keeps running into Lulu, a prickly and quick-witted girl who also turns out to be a hard partying girl. They seem to have nothing in common, and appear to almost despise each other.

Despite it all, Jed begins to feel at home in the town. He finds a steadier job working as a garbage truck driver's assistant with a curmudgeon who's been bitten by the ballroom dancing bug. He finds a place to live in an old wooden house owned by Veera, an eccentric and heavy-drinking widow.

Garbage Prince, a film for younger audiences by director Raimo O Niemi, is based on the popular novel of the same name by Tuija Lehtinen, published in 1991. The film has been adapted for the screen by screenwriter Juuli Niemi.