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Released in 1952, Finland's movie The White Reindeer represents one of the great lost classics in the folk horror category. Even though it received awards at the Cannes Film Festival and the Golden Globes back then, it became forgotten until a stunning 4K restoration started doing the rounds in recent years.

Placed on the remote, snowbound mountains of northern Scandinavia, the film presents an eerie, completely ethereal dark fairy tale. This territory is referred to as the Lapland region, though the local Sámi people view that designation as offensive.

The Chilling Opening and Transformation

Through a unforgettable introduction, it is predicted that a newborn Sámi girl will transform into a enchantress. She develops into the character Piriti (played by Mirjami Kuosmanen), a strong-willed lady who chafes against her solitary existence as the spouse of a wandering reindeer herder.

She attempts to find solace from a local medicine person, but perhaps due to her natural magic, his love ritual fails and transforms her into a blood-drinking shapeshifter, fated to track and consume males in the guise of a snow-white reindeer.

Production Approach and Roots

The actress authored the screenplay with her spouse, filmmaker and cinematographer Erik Blomberg. He merges impressive authentic recordings of Sámi life on this otherworldly landscape with dramatic visual flair that brings to mind silent-film expressionists like F.W. Murnau and Lang.

Shot in monochrome and almost entirely on site in the wilderness, White Reindeer contrasts the dazzling whiteout with pitch-black Gothic scenes, and shifts between them via the in-between half-light of the Arctic winter sun.

Ambiguous and Surreal Narrative

Although the plot is uncomplicated and the events are clearly presented, White Reindeer remains open to interpretation and dreamlike. It’s not clear exactly when in history it’s set.

The motivation of the characters' actions can be hard to decipher, and the figures appear detached, alone in the vast open landscape of their surroundings. Moreover that rare breed of monster movie that keeps its emphasis directly and empathetically on the monster as its main perspective.

Kuosmanen evokes the silent film legends in a acting consumed by unfulfilled longing and a powerful hunger she cannot completely comprehend.

Memorable Impact

In spite of its compact 68-minute runtime, White Reindeer can feel slow, thanks to its sparse storytelling style. But Kuosmanen’s powerful portrayal, the director's incredible visuals, and the film's haunting metaphor for the way a oppressive community can demonize women's longing will remain in your mind for a extended period.