The documentary Herdswoman

We encounter three Sami women and their lives with the reindeer herds.

Aina, Elisabeth and Lisa belong to different generations. Their stories reflect life in Sápmi (Lapland) and the transition from nomadic existence to modern society. The film relates their pleasure in working with the reindeer. They live with and for their herds. When a court case questions their ancient rights to the reindeers’ pasture their life as reindeer keepers is at risk.

The film illustrates man’s inner driving force and the struggle for existence. It shows the vulnerability of indigenous peoples in modern society and the colonization process, which has led to the present conflict about the right to land and water.

 

A few photos from the film

Aina off-road with her ATV
Aina off-road with her ATV 

Lisa, on board the helicopter
Lisa, on board the helicopter 

Elisabeth with light backpack
Elisabeth with light backpack  

NEWS!

Herdswoman was awarded with the Documentary Film Prize at the 50th Nordic Film Days in Lübeck! The film has earlier won an Audience Prize in Norway and Best Esthetic Award in Nepal.

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The participants
Lisa - from Vapsten sameby

Lisa likens the meeting between the Sami and the non-Sami world to a couple of soap bubbles touching each other. Both are beautiful, they are together, but there will always be a divide, a boundary between them.

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The film makers
Kine Boman - regissör för dokumentärfilmen Hjordeliv

The director Kine Boman has been engaged professionally in documentary filming since 2001. Her first own documentary was The Only Image of My Father, first presented at the Göteborg International Film Festival 2004.

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Press photos