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From 1952, Finnish film White Reindeer represents one of the remarkable overlooked treasures in the rural horror genre. Even though it received accolades at Cannes and the Golden Globes back then, it was largely forgotten until a stunning digital restoration started doing the rounds in recent years.

Located on the desolate, snowbound fells of Sápmi, the film delivers an eerie, totally ethereal grim folktale. This region is sometimes known as the Lapland region, though the local Sámi population view that name as derogatory.

A Eerie Opening and Transformation

Via a haunting prologue, it is prophesied that a recently born Sámi female child will transform into a witch. She develops into the character Piriti (played by the actress Mirjami Kuosmanen), a determined lady who rebels against her lonely life as the spouse of a traveling reindeer shepherd.

She seeks comfort from a local medicine person, but perhaps due to her innate magic, his affection ceremony backfires and transforms her into a vampiric shape-shifter, fated to hunt and feed on men in the guise of a snow-white reindeer.

Artistic Vision and Roots

The actress wrote the film with her spouse, filmmaker and director of photography Erik Blomberg. He blends breathtaking real-life footage of Sámi life on this moon-like environment with intense visual flair that brings to mind silent-film expressionists like F.W. Murnau and Lang.

Recorded in grayscale and predominantly on location in the wilderness, The White Reindeer juxtaposes the blinding whiteout with deep black Gothic scenes, and transitions between them via the liminal twilight of the northern sun.

Mysterious and Dreamlike Story

While the plot is straightforward and the plot developments are plainly laid out, White Reindeer remains ambiguous and dreamlike. It’s not clear exactly when in history it’s set.

The logic of the characters' actions can be obscure, and the characters appear isolated, alone in the enormous empty space of their environment. Moreover that uncommon type of monster movie that keeps its focus directly and sympathetically on the monster as its central figure.

The lead actress channels the early cinema icons in a portrayal filled with unfulfilled longing and a fierce craving she struggles to grasp.

Lasting Impact

Regardless of its short 68-minute runtime, White Reindeer can feel slow, thanks to its restrained narrative approach. But the lead actress's compelling portrayal, the director's remarkable visuals, and the movie’s haunting symbolism for the way a restrictive culture can stigmatize feminine craving will stay in your thoughts for a long time.