Following strong premieres at TIFF, Venice and Dubai, Amanda Kernell's striking drama SAMI BLOOD (SAMEBLOD) screened at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival in the Spotlight section. The film will be released in the US in May 2017 by Synergetic Distribution. We had a chance to talk to the wonderful director, Amanda. Here it is:

Amanda Kernell talks w/ Art Shrian, about her film SAMI BLOOD, cultural identity, women in films & more at Sundance 2017

SAMI BLOOD is a compelling coming-of-age story set in the 1930s about a young girl who makes a radical and brave decision to abandon her culture and tradition, leave her family behind, and pass herself off as Swedish, after facing prejudice at school due to her Lapland heritage. The film is a unique and intimate perspective on the history of the Lapland people, and tells a story of oppression that resonates across borders, generations and genders.

SAMI BLOOD features a breakthrough performance from its young lead actress Lene Cecilia Sparrok, and is a strong debut from writer/director Amanda Kernell, who based the narrative off of her own Grandmother's life.

Elle Marja går på samisk internatskola med sin lillasyster och ska snart ta över som renskötare I familjen. Samtidigt drömmer hon om ett annat liv, långt borta från bybornas blickar/hårda ord/förakt och skolans regler och kolttvång. Allt faller samman efter de rasbiologiska undersökningarna som hålls på skolan och Elle Marja bestämmer sig för att lämna allt och bli svensk.

Directed by: Amanda Kernell
Cast: Lene Cecilia Sparrok, Mia Sparrok, Maj Doris Rimpi, Olle Sarri

Synopsis:
Elle Marja, 14, is a reindeer-herding Sámi girl. Exposed to the racism of the 1930s and race biology examinations at her boarding school she starts dreaming of another life. To achieve this other life she has to become someone else and break all ties with her family and culture.