Sami, une jeunesse en Laponie

My Swedish teacher highly recommended me this Swedish film and I had always wanted to watched it. It was played during the Vancouver International Film Festival but I just missed it. Finally, I had an opportunity to watch it. The story of Scandinavian indigenous people in this film reminds of the Salish people in Canada. The indigenous people faced huge invasion in culture, education, territory, etc. They were regarded inferior. Especially young indigenous faced self- identity crisis. They were starting to lose themselves in this modern world. Fortunately, governments start to launch cultural project to rescue indigenous culture. But it is far from enough. Films on this topic are a good ways to let the public know about indigenous culture, language, history and stories.

Elle Marja, a native of Lapland, faces xenophobia, while suffering a social and cultural wash imposed by Sweden.

I believe that one of the factors that makes this film interesting is the way it explores the subject, in this case, xenophobia and racism, in a country considered by many to be an almost perfect example of modern societies, Sweden.

The story begins with Elle Marja, as a retired teacher, at her sister's funeral, and then takes us into a flashback, where both are young and start attending school.

The process of abandoning culture, the dialect and the mannerisms and gestures themselves is explored in a good way, it fits the time when the individual shapes his personality (adolescence), which allows us to perceive the attitudes that the character adopts throughout the story development.

The photography is very interesting, with that atmosphere of melancholy and loneliness typical of northern European films.

A film that puts you inside this girls head. And that is it's biggest achievement. And then we're on ride with her through a very new time in her life. And it's an enjoyable ride. Beautifully casted.

I really do like Scandinavian movies and as far as I can remember, there was never a movie from Scandinavia that ever disappointed me. But this movie took me by surprise... It has been 4 days since I've seen this movie at local art-club cinema and yet I still can't stop to think about it. Something changed in my heart and even I'm a very rationale human being, it is difficult to explain why did this movie affect me so deeply. Was it the perfect written story, a subtle story that grabbed me by the soul as how real was it portrayed ? Was it the amazing cinematography of the mysterious and tranquil landscape of Lapland ? Was it the well-balanced camera shots coupled with modest yet powerful and deep soundtrack ? Was it the perfect acting of those young and innocent Saami sisters and the strong bond between them ? Whatever it was, it left me with a powerful and profound feeling inside. And if a movie is capable of achieving exactly this, then it is definitely worth watching.

Unique little film with some truly great performances by first-time sami actors. Going from beautiful to sad to infuriating to inspiring, this one really does it all. Can't recommend it enough.