This Lost Folklore Horror Gem Has a Groundbreaking, Unique Perspective on Bloodsucking Myths

From 1952, Finland's cinematic work White Reindeer stands as one of the exceptional forgotten masterpieces in the rural horror genre. Despite the fact that it received accolades at the Cannes Film Festival and the Golden Globe Awards back then, it was largely overlooked until a breathtaking digital restoration began circulating in the past decade.

Set on the desolate, snow-covered hills of northern Scandinavia, the movie delivers an spooky, totally otherworldly grim folktale. This region is referred to as Lapland, though the native Sámi population consider that designation as offensive.

The Haunting Introduction and Transformation

Via a unforgettable introduction, it is prophesied that a newborn young Sámi female will become a enchantress. She develops into the character Piriti (portrayed by Mirjami Kuosmanen), a determined woman who chafes against her solitary life as the spouse of a wandering reindeer keeper.

She seeks solace from a nearby shaman, but likely owing to her innate magic, his love ritual fails and turns her into a vampiric shapeshifter, cursed to hunt and feed on human males in the form of a white reindeer.

Production Vision and Influences

The actress co-wrote the film with her spouse, filmmaker and director of photography Blomberg. He merges stunning documentary footage of Sámi culture on this moon-like landscape with dramatic artistic style that evokes silent-movie expressionist filmmakers like Murnau and Fritz Lang.

Recorded in monochrome and mostly on actual settings in the wilderness, White Reindeer opposes the blinding bright snow with deep black Gothic tableaux, and moves between them via the transitional dim light of the northern sun.

Unclear and Dreamlike Story

While the narrative is simple and the plot developments are explicitly shown, White Reindeer continues to be ambiguous and ethereal. It’s not clear exactly what time period it’s set.

The reasoning of the characters’ behavior can be hard to decipher, and the characters appear isolated, alone in the enormous empty space of their surroundings. Additionally that unique category of horror film that keeps its focus firmly and compassionately on the beast as its main perspective.

The lead actress channels the silent greats in a acting wracked with repressed desire and a intense desire she struggles to grasp.

Enduring Effect

Regardless of its brief 68-minute duration, White Reindeer can feel slow, thanks to its minimalist cinematic technique. But the lead actress's powerful acting, Blomberg’s remarkable imagery, and the film's unforgettable metaphor for the way a oppressive society can vilify female desire will remain in your mind for a long time.