Finnish film set to show in Naselle

“Näkymätön Elina” means “invisible Elina.” It is the story of a nine year old girl who has lost her father a few years earlier to tuberculosis and has been out of school after contracting the same disease herself. The family lives in northern Sweden, but they speak Finnish at home. The time period is the 1950s. When Elina returns to school, she stands up for herself against the strict Ms. Holm who expects all her pupils to speak perfect Swedish. She does not allow any Finnish to be spoken in her classroom. When Elina tries to help another Finnish classmate in their native language, the battle between Elina and her teacher begins. Elina’s mother, sister, and a liberal young male teacher attempt to intervene. However, Elina feels isolated and finds solace only when she returns to the marshlands where she has conversations with her deceased father.

This riveting film about grief, love, betrayal and loyalty will be shown at the Appelo Archives Center, 1056 SR 4, Naselle, on Saturday, September 20, starting at 11 am. There is no admission charge, but donations are greatly appreciated. The film runs 74 minutes and is appropriate for youth who can read subtitles.

Klaus Härö directed this 2002 film. He also directed “Mother of Mine” and “Letters to Father Jacob.” It stars Natalie Minnevik as Elina, Bibi Andersson as Ms. Holm, Marjaana Majala as Elina’s mother, and Henrik Rafaelsen as Einar Björk.