I saw this last month at the 2009 Palm Springs International Film Festival and myself, being a Swede, it's nice to see a feature film centered on the indigenous Scandanavian peoples, the Sami who have populated the regions near the Artcic Circle of the countries of Norway, Sweden, Finland and the Russian peninsula and live off their vast reindeer herds for food, clothing and trade. Set in 1852 this is based on a true story of an uprising against the authorities in the Sami territory of Norway. A story that has inspired numerous novels and non-fiction books over the years. Elen Skom (Anni-Kristina Jusso) is the film's protagonist who tells her story as the determined and strong willed wife of Mathis (Asle Mathis Gaup) who has become an alcoholic and is in debt to the the local merchant supply and tavern owner, the villainous Carl Ruth ((Mikael Persbrandt). Elen and Mathis have a young boy called Little Aslak named after Mathis brother Aslak. Mathis best friend is Mons (Nils Peder Gaup) and Mathis, Mons and Aslak will become the central characters in leading the revolt against Ruth and his sadistic henchman-turned sheriff Bucht and the newly installed preacher Stockflest who is in Ruth's pocket. Laestadius (noted Swedish actor Michael Nyqvist in a small role)had been the preacher of Kautokeino and his methods were bringing about an end to the rampant drinking and the end of Ruth's business. Ruth pulled strings and brought in a new preacher but the congregation wouldn't attend his services and conducted their own. They also stopped buying their merchant supplies from Ruth and made arrangements with a merchant in nearby Karesando for their supplies. Directed by writer/director Nils Gaup from his story co-written with Nils Isak Eira, the story is close to Gaup's heart as he is a descendant from one who participated in the rebellion over 150 years ago. It's a good story with beautiful winter scape cinematography from Phillip Ogaard and production design from Karl Juliusson. It has an epic feel to it without actually being an epic film. I would give this an 8.0 out of 10 and recommend it.
13 Reviews
Rare gem of a Scandinavian movie
Enchorde10 July 2009
Warning: Spoilers
Recap: The Norwegian and Swedish (in this case a Swedish merchant in Norway) are intent on bringing civilization to the Sami. Included in this civilization is alcohol and severe alcoholism has struck the Sami hard. This, and the preaching of Laestadius, leads to a conflict in the village Kautekeino. Elen struggles to makes end meet with a husband that is often drunk. She seeks support from the local priest but the church, and law, is in league with Ruth, the Swedish merchant making a lot of money on selling alcohol. After having spoken with Laestadius the Sami leaves the church (and Ruth's bar). This is a clear challenge to the powers that be and illegal according to the law and events soon spin out of hand as the Sami struggle to survive and Ruth tries to protect his easy earnings. Ah, and it is based on actual events from 1852.
Comments: This is rare in more than one aspect. First of it is a movie about the Sami people, second it is a retelling of the events in Kautekeino, important but almost lost to history, and third, it is actual a very good Scandinavian movie. Those are rare indeed.
Why is it good? Sure, the surroundings are stunning, that helps. But mostly it is the story. Based on actual events it seems to be entirely plausible that it events unfolded something like in the movie. Still it has a dramatic element and quite some suspense. A classic struggle by the oppressed against the oppressor. It is not a fair fight, but one that makes a good story on film. One where it is easy to identify and feel for the struggling people.
Some known actors appear in larger or smaller roles, most notable Mikael Persbrandt, Mikael Nyqvist and Nikolaj Coaster-Waldau. However, the movie is entirely stolen by Anni-Kristiina Juuso, or Elen as she is known in the movie. She gives a great performance and I sincerely hope that she finds her way into a lot more movies.
7/10
Comments: This is rare in more than one aspect. First of it is a movie about the Sami people, second it is a retelling of the events in Kautekeino, important but almost lost to history, and third, it is actual a very good Scandinavian movie. Those are rare indeed.
Why is it good? Sure, the surroundings are stunning, that helps. But mostly it is the story. Based on actual events it seems to be entirely plausible that it events unfolded something like in the movie. Still it has a dramatic element and quite some suspense. A classic struggle by the oppressed against the oppressor. It is not a fair fight, but one that makes a good story on film. One where it is easy to identify and feel for the struggling people.
Some known actors appear in larger or smaller roles, most notable Mikael Persbrandt, Mikael Nyqvist and Nikolaj Coaster-Waldau. However, the movie is entirely stolen by Anni-Kristiina Juuso, or Elen as she is known in the movie. She gives a great performance and I sincerely hope that she finds her way into a lot more movies.
7/10
Samis decide enough is enough
the_oak29 January 2011
Warning: Spoilers
The sami people had always been able to wander with their rain deer as they wanted. Then in 1851 the borders between Norway, Sweden and Finland were closed, and this made the samis dis gruntled. In addition, the culture of the samis were looked down upon, not respected. The asshole shopkeeper in Kautkeino were selling booze to the sami men, making alcoholics out of them, when they should be out and about tending the rain deer and protecting their families. The preacher man, Lars Levi Læstadius traveled the country side, preaching abstinence from drinking. Many samis became followers, and started holding their own sermons. One of the sami females were in the center of this. She is really pretty.
This enraged the local priest, brilliantly played by Bjørn Sundquist. The priest was of course in allegiance with the shop keeper.
The samis then made the Bishop come to check out the situation. The bishop is an uber cool guy with a cool fur coat. He is mild mannered, and decides to appoint a new priest. Of course he doesn't succeed.
So..as the film builds up to the final show down in little Kautokeino, we see some nicely shoot scenes of rain deer and snow covered plains. The showdown includes a nice scene where the shop keeper's skull is smashed in with a pole.
The sami men behind the revolt, are, as the film concludes, be-headed on a nicely built, brand new scaffold at the shore of a beautiful fjord. The priest who gives them their last rites, is an interesting, bearded blonde, who seems very affected by the spectacle. He offers to send God their regrets before the hench man drops his axe. They reject. One of them says, emotionally: "I wan't to regret. But I can't."
I liked this movie. The Bishop, the sami woman, the asshole priest and shop keeper and the smashing in of his skull is all worth it.
This enraged the local priest, brilliantly played by Bjørn Sundquist. The priest was of course in allegiance with the shop keeper.
The samis then made the Bishop come to check out the situation. The bishop is an uber cool guy with a cool fur coat. He is mild mannered, and decides to appoint a new priest. Of course he doesn't succeed.
So..as the film builds up to the final show down in little Kautokeino, we see some nicely shoot scenes of rain deer and snow covered plains. The showdown includes a nice scene where the shop keeper's skull is smashed in with a pole.
The sami men behind the revolt, are, as the film concludes, be-headed on a nicely built, brand new scaffold at the shore of a beautiful fjord. The priest who gives them their last rites, is an interesting, bearded blonde, who seems very affected by the spectacle. He offers to send God their regrets before the hench man drops his axe. They reject. One of them says, emotionally: "I wan't to regret. But I can't."
I liked this movie. The Bishop, the sami woman, the asshole priest and shop keeper and the smashing in of his skull is all worth it.
A generally good depiction of a crucial point in Sami history
crculver12 August 2015
In 1852, Sami reindeer herders in the Arctic region of Norway were fed up with the Norwegian liquor industry exploiting their tendency to alcoholism, local government officials seizing parts of their herds, and a corrupt state church ignoring it all. They rioted, beating the local priest and killing a merchant and government official. The two men considered ringleaders, Aslak Haetta and Mons Somby, were tried and executed. This incidence is little-known in most of Europe, but in the history of the Sami people it is one of the few tales of resistance to pressure from their southern neighbors and has gained a sort of epic status. Nils Gaups' 2008 film KAUTOKEINO-OPPRORET (The Kautokeino Uprising) depicts this event. The main character of the film is Ellen Aslaksdatter Skum, who with her husband Mathis Haetta, was sentenced to long imprisonment. Ellen is played by Anni-Kristiina Juuso, a Sami actress best known for her role in Aleksandr Rogozhkin's 2001 film KUKUSHKA. The film is multilingual, with the Sami speaking their own language, Swedish used as a lingua franca, and Norwegian heard from a few outsiders. Mid-19th century Norway is depicted in absorbing detail, and watching the film I felt to some degree that I was sharing the challenges of the characters in the frozen north.
The film takes a few liberties with history (the whipping of the priest isn't portrayed, and the rioters are stopped by what seem to be Norwegians instead of their own other Sami neighbors. Still, it's generally factual and really inspires the viewer to go out and learn more about the event. What I really admire about the film is that it doesn't try to portray the murderers as bold defenders of national consciousness: their uprising was something of an act of blind rage and they were betraying their own Christian ideals. Other depictions of the riots, such as Launis' godawful opera "Aslak Hetta", give in to hyperbolic National Romantic feelings, but Gaups' film keeps it on the level.
The film takes a few liberties with history (the whipping of the priest isn't portrayed, and the rioters are stopped by what seem to be Norwegians instead of their own other Sami neighbors. Still, it's generally factual and really inspires the viewer to go out and learn more about the event. What I really admire about the film is that it doesn't try to portray the murderers as bold defenders of national consciousness: their uprising was something of an act of blind rage and they were betraying their own Christian ideals. Other depictions of the riots, such as Launis' godawful opera "Aslak Hetta", give in to hyperbolic National Romantic feelings, but Gaups' film keeps it on the level.
Rare theme
stensson5 September 2008
The Samis aren't often portrayed in films. Not even in the Nordic countries, although their history has some similarities with that of the Native Americans.
Here it's Norway in the early 1850s. The church and the tradesmen sell booze to the Sami men, but unofficial ways of Christianity saves them. This is a threat towards the destructive order and there are counterattacks, which leads to the rebellion.
The script is a little naive and Swedish actor Mikael Persbrandt's overacting doesn't make it better. But the historical environment is well painted and conflicts like this one are very rare in movies.
Here it's Norway in the early 1850s. The church and the tradesmen sell booze to the Sami men, but unofficial ways of Christianity saves them. This is a threat towards the destructive order and there are counterattacks, which leads to the rebellion.
The script is a little naive and Swedish actor Mikael Persbrandt's overacting doesn't make it better. But the historical environment is well painted and conflicts like this one are very rare in movies.
Really really makes you think
UKFuzz19 January 2008
Why 9? Well it takes a lot to watch a film spoken in Sammi with Norwegian subtitles - when you don't speak either language - and come out of the cinema saying "Now that was a good film".
It's based on a true story set in the North of Norway 143 years ago of a Swedish store owner and his desire to supply alcohol to a growing number of Sammi men versus a Sammi wife and her desire to keep the men off the liquor.
It is a great tale and the acting is top drawer. The final scenes are especially poignant.
The irony of a Govt, Church and Business community intent on ensuring the supply of alcohol to a Sammi tribe struggling to cope with the concept of capitalism in a country that today preaches the exact opposite will not be lost on you.
Watch it. You will not regret it.
It's based on a true story set in the North of Norway 143 years ago of a Swedish store owner and his desire to supply alcohol to a growing number of Sammi men versus a Sammi wife and her desire to keep the men off the liquor.
It is a great tale and the acting is top drawer. The final scenes are especially poignant.
The irony of a Govt, Church and Business community intent on ensuring the supply of alcohol to a Sammi tribe struggling to cope with the concept of capitalism in a country that today preaches the exact opposite will not be lost on you.
Watch it. You will not regret it.
Interesting "Northern" about rebellion of the Samis against the Norwegians
Andy-29617 December 2011
Warning: Spoilers
In the extreme north of Norway, in the mid 19th Century, the Samis (also called the Lapps) see their traditional reindeer herding lifestyle threatened by the increasing availability of liquor, sold by the Norwegians. To this area comes a new pastor, fanatical but fair, and with the help of one headstrong Sami wife, convinces Samis to stop drinking. The politically connected liquor store owner, enraged by the drop in his sales, manages to have this pastor replaced for a more compliant, corrupt one, who tries to get the Samis into line. The Samis retaliate by making their own religious services, the new pastor has some of the leaders of the Samis arrested, the Samis launch a full rebellion
This Northern is far from being extraordinary, but is well made and it has an interesting story to tell. Based on a true story (though reportedly, the film took many liberties with the facts). The haunting arctic locales where this was shot certainly help.
Simple yet powerful
xpanther200526 July 2009
What a great film! A simple story told in a powerful way. This IS what a film suppose to do. I don't know much about the Lapp/Sami people or their struggles in the past(I regret that) but you can substitute any ethnic/minority group and get a feel of the injustice that's being portrayed. Violence is almost always the product of social injustice. This is a universal stuggle between oppressed and opressor; be it a church, a state or corporation. Greed is a fire that burns all, at the end. Ars Gratia Artis "Art for the sake of Art" seems to be the motto of most films nowadays. Not this one. No offense to the artists involved in telling this story. Recommended. 10/10
Beautiful environment, but a story just based lies.
joel_power11 July 2021
Warning: Spoilers
The film shows beautiful environments, and the actors are really good.
But is far too one-sided and when it comes to the truth content, it is quite frankly just a lot of lies.
In the real life, those who took part in the uprising were religious fanatics (their leaders said, among other things, that they would kill anyone who did not want to follow their faith). They kidnapped other Sami whom they forced to participate, abused and whipped women, etc. But that never happens in this movie, .
The priest Stockfleth, who in reality worked a lot for democracy in the area and the Sami written language, portrays him as an evil demonic sadist.
It's bizarre that Gaup is trying to portray religious fanatics as heroes (like kidnapping and whipping women and children). But Gaup is too busy with his identity politics in his eagerness to portray these people as heroes that he is straight up lying.
Gaup should be ashamed of himself.
But is far too one-sided and when it comes to the truth content, it is quite frankly just a lot of lies.
In the real life, those who took part in the uprising were religious fanatics (their leaders said, among other things, that they would kill anyone who did not want to follow their faith). They kidnapped other Sami whom they forced to participate, abused and whipped women, etc. But that never happens in this movie, .
The priest Stockfleth, who in reality worked a lot for democracy in the area and the Sami written language, portrays him as an evil demonic sadist.
It's bizarre that Gaup is trying to portray religious fanatics as heroes (like kidnapping and whipping women and children). But Gaup is too busy with his identity politics in his eagerness to portray these people as heroes that he is straight up lying.
Gaup should be ashamed of himself.
Nils Gaup is back with a real strong Northern
OJT8 March 2008
Ever since Nils Gaup directed Veiviseren (Norwegian title. It is called "Ofelas" in samish, "Pathfinder" in English) one have awaited more of the ice cold and heart warming stuff from the filmmaker with samish (a Lappland people in Northern Scandinavia) relations.
Well, here he's back again many years after having his film Oscar-nominated. This is a different film. A true story of the Norwegian authorities suppressing the Samish minority in the most Northern part of Norway.
The film is beautifully and realistically filmed, and the acting is flawless. And Gaup has not fallen into any trap of making the story any other than it is.
It's got some of the very same feeling as "Ofelas", though set in another time. The Swedish and Danish stars playing the priests and bishops are just as you would expect them to be. Not at all understanding of the Samish peoples daily life in the hash and cold winter of Finnmark.
Nils Gaup has told that he has had plans on making this film for 20 years. Well, here it is. It'll be a price winning movie, surely. Finally another masterpiece from his hand. Enjoy the ever so sad true story! Another great Norwegian movie. There's been quite a movie revolution in Norway the latter years. What a dream come true!
Well, here he's back again many years after having his film Oscar-nominated. This is a different film. A true story of the Norwegian authorities suppressing the Samish minority in the most Northern part of Norway.
The film is beautifully and realistically filmed, and the acting is flawless. And Gaup has not fallen into any trap of making the story any other than it is.
It's got some of the very same feeling as "Ofelas", though set in another time. The Swedish and Danish stars playing the priests and bishops are just as you would expect them to be. Not at all understanding of the Samish peoples daily life in the hash and cold winter of Finnmark.
Nils Gaup has told that he has had plans on making this film for 20 years. Well, here it is. It'll be a price winning movie, surely. Finally another masterpiece from his hand. Enjoy the ever so sad true story! Another great Norwegian movie. There's been quite a movie revolution in Norway the latter years. What a dream come true!
Important and sad
tindfoting3 June 2023
I wont even try to remember all the names here. But it's set in Lappland about 1850, and the lapps is spending they're cash drinking... litterarly breaking apart families. And one man makes a lot of money. Sounds familiar? Yup, it's close to another native tribe far west. Oh, how I learn to despise Bjørn Sundquists priest when he arrives to learn these primitive lapps the respect of Christianity. It's so close to how the Indians were treathed at the same time. And sad. It's a true story, and not shocking. The big authorithies can do anything they want, including taking "tax" on reindeers, meaningless arrests and brutal force against "unchristian meetings". The actors are top notch, including Jamie Lannister as a... bishop! But the important thing is how thing can and will escallate when you take away peoples hope and reason to live. It's not an excuse, but sometimes... wrong is right.
A personal challenge
stormwings10 November 2012
I'm not a critic and I do not write reviews to be 'helpful' for others. "It's important that I'm sayin' the right sayin'. It's less important that you hear." Words taken from the character "Nell" in "Idioglossia", a stage play that later was adapted by Alicia Christian "Jodie" Foster, as producer and as actress.
So here are some glimpses, I hope they will be not very 'off topic' Addiction, social rules, the Word of the Lord and the ones who have to decide either to deliver it as a gift or to promulgate it as a verdict, the different quadrants of law and emotions - this film deals with a lot of things that often seem to be mostly clarified in our world. I think they aren't. So this movie is not only a view to history.
I was very surprised by the bishop. A tall, beautiful, young man, Nikolaj Coaster-Waldau. I would give an extra star for casting him.
When there is a border in a nation, when two or more ethnicities live there then life seems to become more demure, rough, brittle. Anni-Kristiina Juuso (Elen Skum) had played Anni in "Kukushka" some years ago, a movie that shows how difference makes us rich and gives power and health. But for this we need to have individual contact. We're simply lost without this.
I'm an European, I've been to Sápmi and to Kosovo. I can feel how fragile we are. I'm happy that there is peace in the north, and share this world with the Sami people who live in four countries.
At the end you can hear Mari Boine: "And so the spring river opened up again / And so we let ourselves drift with the flood..." Have I went too far away from the movie?
So here are some glimpses, I hope they will be not very 'off topic' Addiction, social rules, the Word of the Lord and the ones who have to decide either to deliver it as a gift or to promulgate it as a verdict, the different quadrants of law and emotions - this film deals with a lot of things that often seem to be mostly clarified in our world. I think they aren't. So this movie is not only a view to history.
I was very surprised by the bishop. A tall, beautiful, young man, Nikolaj Coaster-Waldau. I would give an extra star for casting him.
When there is a border in a nation, when two or more ethnicities live there then life seems to become more demure, rough, brittle. Anni-Kristiina Juuso (Elen Skum) had played Anni in "Kukushka" some years ago, a movie that shows how difference makes us rich and gives power and health. But for this we need to have individual contact. We're simply lost without this.
I'm an European, I've been to Sápmi and to Kosovo. I can feel how fragile we are. I'm happy that there is peace in the north, and share this world with the Sami people who live in four countries.
At the end you can hear Mari Boine: "And so the spring river opened up again / And so we let ourselves drift with the flood..." Have I went too far away from the movie?
Oppression anywhere is oppression everywhere
centinel82220 July 2014
I don't want to be reductive, but let's face it, you're reading this review to decide if this movie is one you want to watch. I don't want to tell you what happens, because I wouldn't want to deprive you of seeing the story unfold for yourself. So no spoilers. I will say that the themes in this movie are universal, particularly the individual's struggle against injustice from those in power.
I suspect every culture has a noted hero who struggled against oppressive authority (e.g., William Wallace, Rob Roy, Pan Singh Tomar, Tadas Blinda, and Ned Kelly). Here, the hero and victim is humble Elen Skum, a simple rural woman who wished to worship in her own way and to protect her family from the scourge of alcohol. While not as exciting a tale as many of her fellow rebels', it is all the more poignant for its simplicity. Elen, a simple, rural mother and wife, stakes it all to save her family. She, and her family and friends, are too innocent to understand the forces arrayed against them, but they are a hard people tempered by an unforgiving climate. Each sides' refusal to give ground ultimately lead to tragic consequences.
Story aside, the acting is amazing. While there were a couple of editing hiccups early in the film, the sparse beauty of the country and the surprisingly good performances(particularly from Ms. Jusso) more than make up for any such quibbles. I really enjoyed the insight into this Nordic culture, and would encourage anyone looking for a thoughtful movie dealing with the theme of oppression to give it a shot.
I suspect every culture has a noted hero who struggled against oppressive authority (e.g., William Wallace, Rob Roy, Pan Singh Tomar, Tadas Blinda, and Ned Kelly). Here, the hero and victim is humble Elen Skum, a simple rural woman who wished to worship in her own way and to protect her family from the scourge of alcohol. While not as exciting a tale as many of her fellow rebels', it is all the more poignant for its simplicity. Elen, a simple, rural mother and wife, stakes it all to save her family. She, and her family and friends, are too innocent to understand the forces arrayed against them, but they are a hard people tempered by an unforgiving climate. Each sides' refusal to give ground ultimately lead to tragic consequences.
Story aside, the acting is amazing. While there were a couple of editing hiccups early in the film, the sparse beauty of the country and the surprisingly good performances(particularly from Ms. Jusso) more than make up for any such quibbles. I really enjoyed the insight into this Nordic culture, and would encourage anyone looking for a thoughtful movie dealing with the theme of oppression to give it a shot.
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