Two Sámi films compete for Jussi Awards!
At this year's Jussi Gala, the films addressing Sámi themes, Je'vida and Máhccan - Homecoming, are nominated.
Directed by Suvi West and Anssi Kömi, and produced by Janne Niskala from Oulu, the film Máhccan - Homecoming is one of the three nominees in the Best Finnish Documentary category.
Máhccan - Homecoming, which garnered attention and praise, premiered at the 48th Toronto International Film Festival in September 2023. The film is set in a changing museum world where repatriation, the return of museum artifacts to their original owners, is a timely topic of discussion.
Máhccan - Homecoming conveys a touching message about what the return of colonially exploited cultural heritage means to its original owners. It's not just about objects returning home; it's about a people's history, identity, and connection to their deceased grandparents.
"Homecoming follows the return of Sámi museum artifacts to Sápmi, but the story could be about any indigenous culture. This conversation is happening worldwide, but the Finnish National Museum is one of the first museums to turn words into action," says director West.
Je'vida receives seven nominations
Katja Gauriloff and Niillas Holmberg's drama film Je'vida is the world's first film spoken in Skolt Sámi. The poignant story revolves around the forced Finnishization of Je'vida - Iida - who returns to her roots in the north due to the sale of the family farm. Producer Joonas Berghäll describes it as a breakthrough of Sámi cinema into the mainstream.
Je'vida has garnered seven Jussi nominations. It is nominated in the Best Film category, and additional nominations include sound design by Jukka Nurmela and Timo Peltola, screenplay by Katja Gauriloff and Niillas Holmberg, editing by Timo Peltola, music by Laura Naukkarinen, cinematography by Tuomo Hutri, and costume design by Anu Pirilä.
The Jussi Awards will be presented on March 22, 2024. The event will be broadcast live on MTV3 channel and MTV Katsomo.
