Elina - Som om jag inte fanns

I saw this film at the Scandinavia House in New York City, liked it, and I thought I should counter the silly comment I noticed by haunt3d. The first thing to remember is that this film is meant for children primarily, so the story has to be reasonably simple and linear. Otherwise they either do not get the message or get disinterested. What is actually remarkable about "Elina", though, is that it also seems to appeal to (at least some) adults. The New Yorkers that attended the screening on that cold night --- hardly any kids --- were quite taken by it.

The film Elina - Som om jag inte fanns is set in the early 1950 when poverty was common in rural northern Sweden. A young girl named Elina who had recovered from tuberculosis wandered to the moor everyday where she spoke to her dead father, because unlike her indifferent teacher Ms. Holm, he might be the only "person" that would listen to young Elina….

Elina - Som om jag inte fanns is a Sweden- Finnish film. The story of the film is universal, although it sets in the area on the Swedish side of border between Finland and Sweden. Except for the lack of ornamentation, it is a sweet story focusing on dimensions of people. This film treats children's world of mind in a much careful and understanding way. Elina is a gentle, innocent character who is a isolated from others and the society. The acting is quite convincing and the story thought provoking. Overall, I highly recommend this film to people who care about childrent's worlds.

I watched this movie at the Berlin film festival 2003 where it was awarded the Glass Bear (The prize of the children's jury). It is a well-told story about the problems experienced by a minority group in the society. In this case the finnish-speaking minority in Sweden in the beginning of the 1950's. The film makes it easy to understand the problems that can occur for such a minority group in an intolerant society. I believe this may be applicable for minority groups in many places of the world and thus it is possible for people around the world to recognize the situation. This is the debut for the director Klaus Härö in a full-length movie and I think he has succeeded well.

I am used to action movies and to movies about the power of vengeance. This is a movie about the power of forgiveness. Everyone should see it.

It is photographed in northern Sweden in a very beautiful landscape. The actors, especially the little girl protagonist, are just great.

This a film that actually moved me.

First of all because it's a Finnish film. And also a good

Second of all because it is about a minority in society.

It's quite interesting that today Swedish is a minority in Finland.. So if a film like this was done today it could be about an other minority.. many things have changed since the fifties..

One thing that really spoke to me was that the girl was so determined and brave to always do the right thing. I wish I had her courage!

It is a fantastic movie, worth seeing..For everybody who wants something to think about.

-Lotta