The Tundra Within Me
Oslo-based Sámi artist Lena has returned to her Northern Norway hometown, her young son in tow, for a striking new art project. But she can only avoid her past for so long, a task further complicated as she pursues a romantic relationship with a local reindeer herder.
Director Sara Margrethe Oskal and Actors Berit Anne Okemi and Risten Anine Guap scheduled to attend.
Satiate your need for a Nordic snack before the May 17 screening, where neighborhood shop Nielsen's Pastries will be offering free pastry coupons to the line!
“[A] frank and honest confrontation with questions of heritage, authenticity, exploitation and identity” —Elena Lazic, Cineuropa
“We must see the damage before we can correct it.” Lena, an artist, returns to her home in Sápmi, Norway with her young son to reconnect to her heritage and strengthen the voice of women in reindeer herding through unapologetic imagery, as well as find forgiveness for herself for abandoning the occupation years before. Akin to peering into a painting just long enough to feel yourself sink within the cool pastels of the snowy canvas, you are soon surrounded by reindeer and knit hats that exist in that conflicting space between comfort and itch, maintaining a softness that tugs gently at your skin. This film resides within that pocket of indescribable mixed emotion; wanting what’s familiar but longing for change, the main antagonist being a culmination of forces only the passing of time can cause, as tradition grows wary of rethinking, reshaping, and dissecting. Lena attempts to balance reembracing traditions while, at her core, obligated to expose their faults through her painting, which causes a stir in the community, including her own unsupportive mother. There is also the understated beauty of the Sápmi culture as a character itself, including a joiking competition at the neighborhood bar. Fun fact: Joiking is a type of singing said to be older than the Sápmi written word, attributed to a gift to the people from elves and fairies. In 1980, joiking was brought to the masses via the Eurovision Song Contest in an entry called “Sámiid ædnan” (Norwegian: “Sameland") performed by Sverre Kjelsberg and Mattis Hætta.
—Marion Bailey
- Original Language Title: Eallogierdu
- Director: Sara Margrethe Oskal (Sápmi)
- Principal Cast: Risten Anine Gaup, Nils Ailu Kemi, Elias Ánte Pilutaq Gaup Lennert, Anitta Katriina Suikkari, Berit Anne O. Kemi
- Country: Norway
- Year: 2023
- Running Time: 95 min.
- Producer: Mona Johanne Hoel
- Screenplay: Sara Margrethe Oskal
- Cinematographers: Anders Hoft
- Editors: Anna Løvlund
- Music: Ville Langfeldt, Jakop Janssønn
- Filmography: Debut Feature Film
- Language: North Sami, Norwegian
- Has Subtitles: Yes
- International Sales: Norwegian Film Institute