Sami Blood is a 2016 Swedish drama film directed by Amanda Kernell. The screenplay, written by Kernell and Agnete Lien, is based on Kernell’s own experiences growing up as a member of the Sámi community in northern Sweden. The film was produced by Karo Film and features a cast that includes Lene Tracy Ormid, Rasmus Kåhed, and Anja Lundqvist.
Production
- Director: Amanda Kernell
- Screenwriters: Amanda Kernell, Agnete Lien
- Producer(s): Lena Rehnberg (Karo Film)
- Cinematography: Sten Möller
- Music: Christopher Cantillo
- Production Companies: Karo Film, Sveriges Television (SVT)
- Country of Origin: Sweden
- Language: Primarily Swedish and Northern Sámi, with some dialogue in Norwegian
Synopsis
Set in the 1930s, Sami Blood follows the story of a teenage Sámi girl named Elle (played by Lene Tracy Ormid) who lives in a remote reindeer-herding community in northern Sweden. After a tragic incident that leads to the death of a fellow villager, Elle is expelled from her community and sent to a Swedish boarding school. The film explores her experiences of cultural assimilation, discrimination, and the struggle to retain her Sámi identity amidst pressure to conform to Swedish societal norms.
Cast
- Lene Tracy Ormid as Elle
- Rasmus Kåhed as Ingemar (Elle’s brother)
- Anja Lundqvist as Fröken Rom (school teacher)
- Johan Kylén as Max
Release and Reception
- The film premiered at the 66th Berlin International Film Festival in February 2016, where it was screened in the Panorama section.
- It was subsequently released in Swedish cinemas on 1 September 2016.
- Critical response highlighted the film’s nuanced portrayal of indigenous identity and the historical context of Sweden’s “Swedishization” policies. Review aggregators recorded generally favorable scores, citing strong performances and direction.
- Sami Blood received several award nominations, including a nomination for the European Film Award for Best Film and multiple Guldbagge Award nominations (Swedish Film Institute). It won the Best Film award at the 2016 Edinburgh International Film Festival.
Themes and Cultural Significance
The film addresses themes of cultural displacement, identity politics, and the impact of state-sponsored assimilation on Indigenous peoples. It is noted for bringing wider awareness to the historical experiences of the Sámi people in Scandinavia, particularly regarding education policies that aimed to eradicate Sámi language and culture.
Home Media
- DVD and Blu‑ray releases were made available in Sweden and internationally in 2017.
- The film is also accessible through select streaming platforms, with subtitles in multiple languages.
Notable Accolades
- Best Film – Edinburgh International Film Festival (2016)
- Best Actress – Amanda Kernell was nominated for Best Actress at the Guldbagge Awards for Lene Tracy Ormid’s performance.
- European Film Awards – Nominated for Best European Film (2016).
References: Information is compiled from publicly available film databases, festival records, and Swedish film institute publications. No unverified or speculative content is included.
