Beautiful, naturalistic portrait of everyday life for the indigenous people of Sweden.

The film follows Inka Länta and her family of reindeer herders in northern Sweden as they strive to subsist in the harsh winter months. Documentary-like sequences alongside staged scenes combine to give an intimate portrayal of the region’s traditional way of life. The stunning landscape is an awe-inspiring backdrop to the domestic rituals, dramatic hunting trips and momentous life events which ultimately signal a proud message of survival. Though directed and photographed by outsiders, and overlooking the ethnicity politics of the time, the film achieves a touching authenticity and shows a relative respect for its subject – the Sámi.

HippFest is proud to present the UK premiere of a new music commission by Sámi-Finnish joiker and electronic musician Hildá Länsman and sound designer Tuomas Norvio, collaborating with the Norwegian-Sámi musician Lávre Johan Eira and Swedish composer, cellist and bass guitarist Svante Henryson.
 
Dir. Erik Bergström | Sweden | 1926 | N/C 12A | b&w, tinted & toned | Swedish intertitles with English surtitles | 1h

Introduced by Lisa Hoen (Director, Tromsø International Film Festival)
 
Screening material courtesy of Swedish Film Institute
Commission funded by Tromsø International Film Festival
Additional thanks to Finnish Institute in the UK and Ireland
 
Online programme notes by Magnus Rosborn (Film Archivist, Swedish Film Institute)

CONTENT ADVISORY: Contains animal slaughter and hunting, death