Stolen--film on the Saami people

 As a youngster, one amusement was watching newsclips about strangely clothed foreigners herding deer.  We called the people Laplanders and spent little time thinking about them.  For me watching "Stolen" (2024) was my first awareness that they consider the term insulting with Saami being more acceptable. 

Many of us in the Western world think there are many strange tribes with quaint, but backward habits.  We do not examine closely our own habits except to modify them to fit in.

The Saami as they prefer to be called are found in northern parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia.  They are not all reindeer handlers, but basically have worked in the natural environment.  Today of course many have adapted to the urban life.  Many are still wearing unique colorful clothing while others have moved to the big cities for jobs.   Suicide was a concern as many felt out of place.

This is a story involving sometimes violent discrimination, but we also see an adaptation to the modern world with some respect for the natural environment.   At one time they were not allowed to speak Saami and forced into boarding schools.  I am reminded of colonial patronizing and controlling indigenous people of British North America.

As a young girl,  Elsa witnessed a man killing a reindeer calf.  Although taken to the police department she decides not identify any illegal killers.  A decade or so later Elsa is confronted with more hostility from those who resent the few Saami privileges.  She is smart enough to go elsewhere, but stays around defending the Saami. 

The cast and crew responsible for presenting the modern Saami, but also an enjoyable movie include the following.

Elle Marg Eire with a Saami background was the director.  She has 6 directing credits, 4 for writing and 3 for composing including a short film, "The Saami Have Rights (2015).

Peter Birro was the writer.  He has 18 writing credits, 1 for directing dn 1 for producing.

 Khalil Al Harbin was a producer.  He has 11 credits for producing, 12 for additional crew and 4 for production management including "A Man Called Ove" (2015) and "The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo" (2009).

Lasse Enerson was one of the composers.  He is Finnish and has 34 composing credits and 9 for the msic department including "Tom of Finlamd" (2017).

Ken Are Bongo was the cinematographer.  He has 17 credits for cinematography, 8 for the camera and electrical department 6 for directing including "The Saami Have Rights" (2015).

Kristofer Nordin was the editor.  He has 61 editor credits and 13 for the editorial department.

Elin Oskal played the lead character, a young Saami.  This was her first feature film.

Martin Wallstrom had a leading role.  He narrates audio books.  Martin has 59 acting credits.

 Jakob Granqvist had a supporting role.  He has 5 acting credits including "Force Majeure" (2015).

The film will remind you of many you might have seen involving indigenous peoples up against modern settlers.   We have seen many films with the indigenous hunting buffalo and cowboys herding cattle.  Inevitably there are conflicts, some of which have carried on to modern times.  With this film we see that such conflicts were not confined to North America   "Stolen" can be seen subtitled or dubbed on Netflix.