Elina: As If I Wasn't There ( Elina - Som om jag inte fanns )

Elina: As If I Wasn't There (DVD) (*)

$21.99

Original Title: Elina - Som om jag inte fanns
Screened, competed or awarded at:
Berlin International Film Festival
Montreal World Film Festival
Other Film Festival Awards

Language Selections:
English ( Subtitles )
Finnish ( Dolby Digital 5.1 )
Finnish ( Subtitles )
Swedish ( Dolby Digital 5.1 )
Swedish ( Subtitles )

Product Origin/Format:
Finland ( PAL/Region 0 )

Running Time:
74 min

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen (1.78:1)

Special Features:
Cast/Crew Interview(s)
Interactive Menu
Trailer(s)

Movie filmed in 2002 and produced in:
Finland ( Scandinavia, Iceland )
Sweden ( Scandinavia, Iceland )

Directed By:
Klaus Härö

Written By:
Kerstin Johansson i Backe (novel)
Kjell Sundstedt

Actors:
Natalie Minnevik ..... Elina
Bibi Andersson ..... Tora Holm
Marjaana Maijala ..... Marta
Henrik Rafaelsen ..... Einar Björk
Tind Soneby ..... Irma
Björn Granath ..... Doctor
Jarl Lindblad ..... Veikko Niemi
Sara Arnia ..... Sara
Peter Rogers ..... Anton
Carolina Berggren
Amanda Andersson ..... Kerttu
Zorro Svärdendahl ..... Isak

Synopsis:

In rural northern Sweden of the early 1950s, little Elina goes to school again after recovering from tuberculosis, the same illness that has killed her father a few years earlier. Elina's family belongs to a Finnish-speaking minority frowned upon by a staunch schoolmistress who starts hounding Elina for speaking Finnish in class and questioning her authority. Elina's mother, sister, and a liberal young male teacher all try to mediate the ensuing battle of wills between Elina and Miss Holm. Elina finds consolation in wandering out on the dangerous marshlands to have imaginary conversations with her dead father.

In the 1950s, nine-year-old Elina lives with her younger siblings and her mother in the Torne Valley in the north of Sweden, near the Finnish border. Her father, whom she loved dearly, died of tuberculosis a few years ago. Elina finds consolation in wandering out on the dangerous marshlands to have imaginary conversations with her dead father. Elina also contracted tuberculosis, but recovered. Because she was ill for so long, Elina is obliged to repeat a whole year at school. However, since she missed so much schooling as a result, she has been put in a new class with a different teacher, the strict Tora Holm. Tora Holm sees it as her mission to protect her pitiable charges from the pitfalls of life, believing that only those who speak perfect Swedish have any chance of a happy and successful life. Elina's family belongs to a Finnish-speaking minority frowned upon by a staunch schoolmistress who starts hounding Elina for speaking Finnish in class and questioning her authority. Elina's mother, sister, and a liberal young male teacher all try to mediate the ensuing battle of wills between Elina and Miss Holm. Especially when Elina exercises the sense of justice she learned from her father and stands up for one of her schoolmates. Although nobody is willing to take her side, little Elina proves far stronger than teacher Tora Holm reckoned. The conflict comes to a head when Elina flees to the dangerous moor.

This product was added to our catalog on Monday 29 June, 2009.

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