Pathfinder (1987 film)
Pathfinder | |
---|---|
Directed by | Nils Gaup |
Written by | Nils Gaup |
Produced by | John M. Jacobsen |
Starring |
|
Cinematography | Erling Thurmann-Andersen |
Music by | Northern Sami |
Budget | NOK17 million |
Box office | NOK17.5 million[1] |
Pathfinder (original title in
It was the first full-length film in Sami, and it was nominated for the
Name
The film is called "Ofelaš", which means 'guide' in the Saami language.[3][4] In Norwegian it is called "Veiviseren", which roughly translates to 'pathfinder' which is also the English title.
Plot
In
But Aigin has a plan in mind. He cannot overpower the Chudes, but he can trick them. Leading the Chudes across mountainous terrain, Aigin lures the Chudes into a steep area where they are all forced to tie themselves together with ropes for security. Aigin unties himself and flees, leading the Chudes over a cliff where several of them fall to their deaths when the leaders cut the ropes to save themselves. An avalanche takes most of the Chudes, and the few surviving men give up the pursuit, ensuring Aigin has effectively saved his people. He shows a drum, a symbol of noaidi, given to him by Raste, and becomes the new pathfinder of the Sami group by virtue of his wisdom and bravery.
Cast
- Mikkel Gaup as Aigin
- Sara Marit Gaup as Sahve
- Nils Utsi as Raste
- Anna Maria Blind as Varia
- Ingvald Guttorm as Aigin's Father
- Ellen Anne Bulj as Aigin's Mother
- Inger Utsias Aigin's Sister
- Henrik H. Buljo as Dorakas
- Nils-Aslak Valkeapää as Siida-Isit
- Helgi Skúlason as a Tchude with scar
- Svein Scharffenberg as the Tchude chief
- Knut Walle as a Tchude interpreter
- John Sigurd Kristensen as a Tchude strongman
- Svein Birger Olsen as Diemis
- Sverre Porsanger as Sierge
- Amund Johnskareng as Heina
- Ailo Gaup as Orbes
Production
The film was written and directed by Nils Gaup, who based the story on a Sami legend with variants in a number of Scandinavian folklores.[5] Gaup said he heard the story from his grandfather, who was in turn told the story by a traditional storyteller.[6] Gaup wove the story around the core of the legend, and introduced details such as the shamanic initiation rite and a romantic element with the character Sahve.[5] The film was set in the pre-Christian era in the region depicting the worldview of the Sami people.[7]
The film was shot in
The original title was Ofelaš, which is a Sami word that translates to "pathfinder".[11] The film is in the Sámi language, and a Tchude language created by Esben Kr. Amot.[12] The director, however, chose not to subtitle the Tchude language.[13] The film is considered to be the first Sami feature-length film. The film went over the budget by 2.5 million, eventually costing 17 million krone, and became what was then Norway's most expensive film.[10] The film is a co-production of Filmkameratene A/S, the Norway Film Development Co. A/S and Norsk Film A/S. It was produced by John M. Jacobsen.[12] It was distributed worldwide by International Film Exchange/Carolco Film International and first released on 3 November 1987 in Norway, and released in the United States on 7 April 1989.[14]
Reception
Initial critical reception for the film was lukewarm, but it was popular in the box office in Norway, where 700,000 attended screenings of the film.[10] The film was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the 1988 Oscars, but lost to Babette's Feast.[14] It won the Amanda Best Film award in 1988.[15] The film is now often considered one of the best films of Norwegian cinema.[16][17][18]
The film is seen as part of the Sami revitalisation movement that celebrates the survival of the Sami language, culture and tradition that resisted assimilation into the wider Norwegian culture.[6][5]
Remake
An American remake also titled Pathfinder was released in 2007. This remake is only loosely based on the 1987 film. A graphic novel of the remake was also produced.[14]
Awards and nominations
Award | Category | Recipients and nominees | Result | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|
Academy Awards | Best Foreign Language Film | Pathfinder | Nominated | [12] |
Amanda Award | Best Film | Pathfinder | Won | [15] |
London Film Festival Awards
|
Sutherland Trophy | Nils Gaup | Won | [19] |
See also
- List of historical drama films
- List of submissions to the 60th Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film
- List of Norwegian submissions for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film
References
- ^ Buddrus, Petra (29 January 1999). "Jacobsen's Ladder". Screen International. p. 19.
- ^ "The 60th Academy Awards (1988) Nominees and Winners". oscars.org. Retrieved 16 August 2015.
- ^ Ofelaš - "About us" (Citation: Ofelaš is Sami and means "the one who shows the way".), Access date: 10 May 2022
- ^ Exciting Outdoor Winter Activities in Sweden's Lapland, Travel the World; Katherine Belarmino, Romeo Belarmino; 21 September 2015 (Citation: "Ofelaš, is a Sámi word meaning guide.")
- ^ ISBN 978-1-118-47528-7.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-7864-8638-0.
- ^ DuBois, Thomas A. "Folklore, Boundaries and Audience in The Pathfinder". Sami Culture.
- ^ "Ble utsatt for sabotasje og ødeleggelse under innspillingen". NRK. 6 July 2017.
- ^ "Nils Gaup's Pathfinder". The Norseman. 27–28: 39.
- ^ a b c Barth, Morten (5 July 2017). "Klassikeren som viste vei". Rushprint.
- ^ "ofelaš på bokmål | Nordsamisk-bokmål oversettelse | DinOrdbok". www.dinordbok.no (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved 2022-09-26.
- ^ a b c Thomas, Kevin (22 June 1990). "Movie Review: 'Pathfinder': Coming of Age in Lapland". The Los Angeles Times.
- ^ Travers, Peter (7 April 1989). "Pathfinder". Rolling Stone.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-4766-7420-9.
- ^ a b "Amandaprisen". Store norske leksikon. 23 August 2021.
- ^ ""Veiviseren" en av Norges ti beste filmer". NRK. 30 March 2017.
- ^ "Topp 20 norske filmer". Filmfront.
- ^ "Tidenes beste norske filmer". Filmarkivet. 28 March 2012.
- ^ Baughan, Nikki (9 October 2018). "60 years of awards at the London Film Festival – A brief history of the competition". BFI.
External links
- Pathfinder at IMDb
- Pathfinder at AllMovie
- Pathfinder at Rotten Tomatoes