dir. Amanda Kernell / Sweden / 2016 / 110 minutes

Though not enough Canadians know about this country's shameful history with residential schools, the story of Sami Blood should sound familiar to those that do. Elle Marja (Lene Cecilia Sparrok) is an indigenous Sámi teenager in the 1930s who is taken from her family and forced to integrate with Swedish society. She is curious and eager at first, but relationship with her new peers is challenged by racism, abuse, and her developing sexuality. Writer-director Amanda Kernell balances a nuanced coming-of-age character study with a righteous and raging historical screed that asks: What happens to you when you cut all ties to your culture and history? Can you really become someone else?

Presented in Swedish and Sami with English subtitles.