I love movies that captivate you, as well as helping you learn something new.
Sami Blood is a case in point: how many people, outside the Scandinavian region, has even heard of the Sami people? How bullied and ostracised they were, by the surrounding countries, including Norway and Sweden? That their nomadic lifestyle, including the herding of reindeer, heavily influenced the Frozen movies? In this film, a couple of characters are even called Elsa and Olof. Spooky!
In any case, parallels can also be drawn towards the mistreatment of Aboriginal people in Australia, including racist attempts to 'civilise' them and the use of slurs to demean them in everyday life. Not to mention, the taking of their native lands by consecutive governments, a shameful practice which still goes on today. You see what quality movies can do? They can motivate you to study the subject matter further!
Lene Cecelia Sparrok's performance as the girl who goes on a long journey, both mentally and psychically, could not be bettered. This was her very first movie, and she handles some very difficult emotional scenes with the poise and conviction of a seasoned star. Apparently, after she'd finished shooting Sami Blood, her intention was to return to her old lifestyle, with no future plans to act. Her choice of course, but in my view this would be similar to winning the lottery but continuing to live in a council house.
The action is bookended by two segments featuring Sparrok as an elderly lady many years later, and her attending the funeral of her estranged sister forms a bittersweet epilogue around the events catalogued here. Made with a half-Sami director, and with the direct cooperation of the Sami people themselves, you know you're getting authenticity... and, just as importantly, great entertainment too. 8/10
Sami Blood is a case in point: how many people, outside the Scandinavian region, has even heard of the Sami people? How bullied and ostracised they were, by the surrounding countries, including Norway and Sweden? That their nomadic lifestyle, including the herding of reindeer, heavily influenced the Frozen movies? In this film, a couple of characters are even called Elsa and Olof. Spooky!
In any case, parallels can also be drawn towards the mistreatment of Aboriginal people in Australia, including racist attempts to 'civilise' them and the use of slurs to demean them in everyday life. Not to mention, the taking of their native lands by consecutive governments, a shameful practice which still goes on today. You see what quality movies can do? They can motivate you to study the subject matter further!
Lene Cecelia Sparrok's performance as the girl who goes on a long journey, both mentally and psychically, could not be bettered. This was her very first movie, and she handles some very difficult emotional scenes with the poise and conviction of a seasoned star. Apparently, after she'd finished shooting Sami Blood, her intention was to return to her old lifestyle, with no future plans to act. Her choice of course, but in my view this would be similar to winning the lottery but continuing to live in a council house.
The action is bookended by two segments featuring Sparrok as an elderly lady many years later, and her attending the funeral of her estranged sister forms a bittersweet epilogue around the events catalogued here. Made with a half-Sami director, and with the direct cooperation of the Sami people themselves, you know you're getting authenticity... and, just as importantly, great entertainment too. 8/10