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
Lisa, on board the helicopter
Elisabeth with light backpack
Awards
Herdswoman was awarded with the Documentary Film Prize at the 50th Nordic Film Days in Lübeck. The film has earlier won an Audience Prize and Best Esthetic Award.
The participants
Elisabeth is a woman who stands up for herself in a male-dominated trade. She hunts elk, she slaughters and cuts up the meat. She is the strongwoman, with a headstrongness that makes anything possible as long as you are determined enough.
The film makers
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.