Je'vida

Iida and her niece Sanna drive to Northern Finland together to the farm they have inherited. Iida stays silent, even though Sanna, who is meeting her aunt for the first time, is interested in hearing about the history of her family. When Iida finds a šaamšiǩ, the headdress of a Skolt wife, from an old chest in the house, she is drawn back to her forcibly forgotten memories. A joint journey begins, where Iida and Sanna try to understand each other by understanding their roots and the reasons for hiding them.

Katja Gauriloff’s personal second feature film, Je’vida, draws from true events and is the first ever Skolt Sámi film in history. Skolt Sámi is spoken by about 300 people as their mother tongue. The film won three and was nominated for a total of seven Jussi Awards at the Jussi Gala 2024. In three different timelines, the story cuts through different generations and examines the erased and brutal history of the Sámi peoples and Sápmi as victims of Finnish colonialism and forced Finnishization. The stylish black-and-white cinematography combines the family story into a moving whole, which reminds us of the importance of sharing memories and does not let the viewer forget one’s own history.

Sanni Majamaa

Je'vida has been selected as a finalist for the Best Finnish Film Poster of 2023 in the Poster Ciné competition. The winner, chosen by Teemu Keisteri, will be announced and awarded at the beginning of the Finnish Gala Screening.