Rakel is a strict Christian believer living in the far north of 1930s Sweden. When her husband forms a sectarian movement, with directions straight from God, she has no choice but to join the increasingly explicit cult.
Acting
Grabowsky's silent resistance speaks volumes
Cinematography
Endless white landscapes as psychological prison
Direction
Blåhed makes restraint feel explosive
Director
Jon Blåhed
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Laestadianism still has 100,000+ followers today; the film sparked debate in Finnish-Swedish religious communities about depicting suppressed history.
The 'holy rollers' scenes used actual Laestadian hymns; some cast members refused to sing them, requiring vocal doubles.
FI
