Sámi Director Explores Forgiveness in 'Brace Your Heart'

Director Amanda Kernell, known for her work exploring Sámi culture, presents 'Brace Your Heart,' a film focusing on themes of forgiveness and survival. The narrative centers on Ejva, a young woman tasked with managing her late father's reindeer herd in the demanding Arctic environment. She accepts assistance, leading to complex relationships and confronting deep-seated trauma. Kernell highlights the critical interdependence required for reindeer herding, a profession fraught with peril due to unpredictable weather and isolated conditions.

Kernell draws from her own Sámi heritage to portray the realities of this often deadly profession, which she compares to a director losing their sight. The film's title comes from a Sámi saying about hardening one's heart to endure hardship, a path Ejva resists. The director also touches on the psychological aspects of overcoming fear and trauma through confrontation and open discussion. Visually, the film captures the profound loneliness of the landscape, utilizing practical effects for authenticity, such as a teenager tending reindeer alone on a mountain.