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.
