Ofelas

Plot synopsis:
At the beginning of the French and Indian War in 1754, the Mingo Indians allied to the French massarcre the Mohican tribe allied to British. Pathfinder and Chingachgook discover the only survivor, a child named Uncas. Angered that the British did not protect their allies the Mohicans, Pathfinder gains entry to the British fort and threatens the Scottish commander Colonel Duncannon until it is discovered that the British were unaware due to a Mohican messenger being killed before he could bring the news.
Colonel Duncannon enlists Pathfinder and Chingachgook to spy for the British by posing as French sympathisers. When Pathfinder says they would not be able to discover the plans of the French as they do not speak their language the Colonel assigns Alison, a fluent French speaker to them. Pathfinder is dismayed that Alison is a woman but she earns her place by killing a Mingo with a pistol and infiltrating French society when they arrive at the French fort. Alison discovers that the French have built a road along a mountain pass bringing supplies to the main French port that has a harbour for ships. Blowing up the mountain road with black powder would deny supplies to the French fort meaning all their smaller outposts would fall to the English due to a scarcity of provisions.
Alison came to the North American colonies to marry an English Captain who disgraced himself through alcoholism. She unexpectedly meets him again as he has turned renegade, married a Mingo princess and has a commission in the French army.

Tags: violence, revenge, cult, murder, storytelling

Review:
Nice film about a savage and ruthless band of invaders carrying out a massacre against Natives and a boy seeks vendetta.
There a boy , Aigin : Mikkel Gaup , living with his native family , is hunting .
The young stays alone to revenge his families killers but he gets captured by the invading people .
Unfortunately , they get him before he can do anything and force him to lead them to the other natives , threatening to kill a friend , when Aigin sees this he dashes forward, and says he will guide them .
He guides them and agrees to lead to the hiding place of his fellow villagers but he has a scheme to destroy the cutthroats barbarians before reach the camp.It's the first version based on ancient folk-tale from Lapland, this classy adaptation is an exciting picture plenty of action, thrills, chills, roller-coaster ride, violence and breathtaking fights .
The plot is plain and simple , some violent stranger warriors capture a young man and they want him to guide them to the coast, and start torturing him , then , things go wrong .
As the intelligent starring , Mikkel Gaup , will fight for his freedom and his people as well as he'll take off a nasty villain , performed by Helgi Skúlason who doesn't say a word the entire film .
Gaup is a director and actor, who has made a few but acceptable films , being especially known for Pathfinder (1987), , Misery harbour (1989) , Above Water (1993) , North star (1996) , Journey to the Christmas Star (2012) 
It stars Karl Urban, Clancy Brown, and special mention to Russell Means , he was born Lakota Sioux, a good actor Native American, he along with Graham Greene, Rodney A Grant, Tantoo cardinal, Eric Schweitz and Wes Studi appear in all movies about Indian themes and it deals with a viking child raised by Native Americans, to take on the invaders Vikings ..
My only regret as an anthropologist who specialized in working with pastoral nomads, was that I never worked with the Saami or the Tibetans [viewers who liked this film should also check out Himalaya, for a similar way of life on the other side of the world from the Saami].
Beautifully set on Finnmarksvidda, the northern most part of Norway -Way north of the arctic circle, it shows the way of the life a thousand years ago.
The spiritual symbolism of the story also resonates with Christian symbolism--the hero who offers his life so others may live, who is cast down into the abyss only to rise out of it to bring the good news of salvation and life to his people.
But it's also a wonderful tale that takes the viewer to a different time, place, and culture.
In a way it's almost a silent movie--the dialogue is eloquently sparse and one could probably follow the story without subtitles.
It has been shot on location here in northern Norway, and the storyline is an old tale that has been passed on by generations by the Sami people.
Filming, acting, directing, costuming - all have been distilled to their essence so that the viewer is never distracted from the superb story.
I watch this film several times a year (and have given it as gifts to friends) and no longer bother to read the sub-titles, so clear has the story become to me.
We lost a great deal when we stopped sitting around fires telling stories to one another; this film can give some of that back to us..
The attempts to wipe out their culture and assimilate them into the Norwegian one is only outevilized by the American hunt for the Indians.The scenery and the light in this movie is truly awesome.
Even with an American remake made in 2007 (I don't think I'll ever watch for countless reasons, to be exposed later on this review) I don't know if people still talk about this precious gem.
But all in all, thank you AMPAS for giving a nomination for this as Best Foreign Film, otherwise it'll probably been overlooked under my radar."Ofelas" works almost like "True Grit" in the sense of the audience seeing a teenager who wants to avenge the murder of his family.
But instead of the Old West scenario and someone paying for an old Sheriff to do the job, we have the Scandinavian wilderness of many centuries ago, and this time a boy named Aigin (Mikkel Gaup) joins another tribe to help with his plan but they're not so willing since they're not trained warriors like the Tchudes (the brutal tribe that killed the boy's family) and they're in an astonishing disadvantage with plenty of women and children with them.
Transcendental like very few pictures can be, I mean really, you can watch this without the captions on and you'll still have a clue of what the movie is about, "Ofelas" surprised me for its poetic presentation of themes like faith, companion, the power of love and also the power of hate and destruction, translated all that through expressions, actions, very few words and when they're used they're magnificent.
The dialog in the tent between Aigin and the tribe "pathfinder" Raste (Nils Utsi) is the high point of the film, when the old man teaches the young man what faith is about.
Yet, even if he had lines he would be the perfect choice for the role thanks to his powerful expressions, frightening and controlling, menacing from the first minute his presence is noted.It's a small film but of a great effect.
The action sequences has to be one of the greatest ever filmed, including the fight with a bear; the tragic opening scenes with Aigin running away from the Tchudes; the spectacularly thrilling final moments, very nerve-wracking.
I don't think all the money in the world could represent everything this movie had: heart, soul and a great meaningful story to present.
Anyone in the business of storytelling should begin with a good story, which is precisely what Norwegian director Nils Gaup did for his Oscar nominated debut feature, adapting a thousand year old Scandinavian legend about a young boy who rescues a small community of fellow Laplanders from a horde of ruthless invaders.
The setting may be exotic (the film was shot almost entirely above the Arctic Circle) but the basic mythic outline can be (and likely has been) translated anywhere, from the American West to "a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away".
Certain elements are by now so familiar they might almost be clichés: the young hero, orphaned by an evil enemy (the Tchudes, dressed all in black and speaking a harsh, guttural language); his refuge with a likewise threatened nearby tribe, who see him as their savior; the medicine man who will guide him to wisdom; and so forth.
Gaup knows enough not to embellish an already proved formula, and as a result his film offers brisk, uncomplicated entertainment, with action scenes as thrilling as anything coming out of Hollywood these days.
(Preliminary remark: I saw this movie dubbed in german language)This is a great piece of work: I like the story, actors, scapes, the whole movie.
In my opinion it is not a typical "Big Cinema"-style movie: it is straight forwarded, fresh and clear.The Pathfinder is a superious movie done with skill and heart for a ancient story told in a way only the Norwegian could do it.
I enjoyed the time watching it.It´s rich in view and sound, recites a hero story so straight, it´s unbelieveable.
I wish more of this to come.(Final remark: I hope sometime to view - experience - this movie in its original language.).
Pathfinder is an Oscar nominated Norwegian film which takes place at around 1000 AD.
He makes to his fellow Sami's and the try to fight, but are overwhelmed by their enemy.Aigin agrees to be a pathfinder and guide the Chudes to his tribe through a treacherous mountain journey.
It tells the story about Aigin, a young man who after returning home from a hunting trip witnesses his family being murdered by a group of Russian chudes dressed in black.
Aigin manages to flee to his nearest neighbours and tell them what has happened, but a manhunt has begun and the chudes are right behind him.Distinctly and engagingly directed by Norwegian filmmaker Nils Gaup, this historic period film which narrated mostly from the protagonist's point of view, draws a moving portrayal of the internal conflicts a young man experiences when he becomes a pathfinder for the people who killed his family.
While notable for it's poignant and atmospheric milieu depictions, brilliant cinematography by renowned Norwegian cinematographer Erling Thurman-Andersen (1945-2002), costume design, editing by Danish film editor Nils Pagh Andersen and use of sound, this character-driven and mythical story about a, at that period in time, minority of indigenous people who are attacked by a group of villains once upon a time in the 11th century, depicts a dense and mindful study of character and contains a powerful score by Norwegian musician Marius Müller (1958-1999), Norwegian composer Kjetil Bjerkestrand and Sami-Finnish writer and musician Nils-Aslak Valkeapää (1943-2001).This finely paced and riveting journey through the highland winter landscapes of Northern Norway which is so rightfully considered one of the greatest Norwegian action films ever made, is impelled and reinforced by it's cogent narrative structure and the fine acting performances by Norwegian actor Mikkel Gaup, Icelandic actor Helgi Skúlason (1933-1996) and Norwegian actor Nils Utsi.
We cannot really identify with the characters and there isn't exactly a lot of suspense.All this makes "Pathfinder" a movie that is worth checking out, if you get the chance.
The story is straightforward, set in 10th century Lapland, a boy witnesses the slaughter of his family by a marauding tribe, who then proceed to pursue him.
The film is short but I guarantee you will feel exhausted watching this pursuit in the snow.
The amazing Norwegian movie named "Veiviseren" from the north of Norway was Oscar nominated in 1987-88.
Since there's a remake of this film coming soon (from what I've read, it's no good), I thought I'd write a comment on the original.I am part Saami, and I've lived in the Saami capital, Guovdageaidnu, all my life.
I have watched this film many times, not because it's good, but because I had to since it's a part of school education here.Knowing the language, I must say the dialog is pretty bad.
This is a beautiful movie about men and spiritually and what it means to be a spiritual man.
Every male should watch this movie, particularly young American men who are told how horrible they are and how wrong it is to act as their nature dictates by the media and academia.
This is one of those movies that is great because it transcends simple entertainment and increases the amount of good in the world every time it is watched..
The man who killed him, gets a magical aura around himself, and his tribe mates can look at him only through a metal ring.By now, the villains, are interested in getting to the large sami sijdda (village) by the coast.
He sacrificed his life so that the other samis could live.In the dying moments of the film, as the samis ponder the great sacrifice a creature moves outside the lavvo, and the young, handsome ofelas (pathfinder) enters.
One of a few good Norwegian movies..
Even though the movie is produced in Norway, the cast is Sami and the Sami language is used throughout the entire film.
Therefore most Norwegians find themselves watching this movie with subtitles anyway, which makes the plot in itself more believable.Who else is better to tell a story from a Sami legend than a Sami writer/director?
For its time the movie was, and still is, outstanding, only to be matched by "Orions Belt".Personally I think the acting could have been better, but the plot was great, and so was the directing as well."Ofelas"/"Veiviseren" is truly a Sami/Norwegian treasure of culture!
An excellent film based on a thousand year old legend,"Pathfinder" was nominated for an Oscar for best foreign film.
Directed by Miles Gaup, his first film, Pathfinder is from a tale he heard from his grandfather.
The film is in the Lapp language and reflects the customs and costumes of ancient northern Norway in the deep of winter.The legend is of a Lapp boy, Aigin, played by Mikkel Gaup.
Aigin's family is murdered by a barbarian group, the Tchudes, who are invading and killing along the way.
Aigin is wounded but escapes and finds his way across waist deep snow to collapse once he reaches the nearest village.
Rasti-the Noidi (a sort of shaman), played by Nils Utsi, tells a frightened Aigin about visions of the great reindeer.
Rasti also tells the boy about how the brotherhood of mankind is connected to everything: to be out of touch was to be a Tchude.Most of the townspeople flee to the safety of the village on the seashore, having strength in numbers, and in the fact that it (the village) lies at the base of an extremely treacherous mountain.A few of the original villagers stay with Aigin to fight the Tchudes: even reducing the barbarians' numbers before being captured.
Rasti-the-Noidi is killed and Aigin is used as a pathfinder to locate the people who live by the sea.
Aigin tricks the Tchudes on the side of the mountain and they are killed in an avalanche.The sea-villagers see the snow engulfing the Tchudes.
They go back inside their thick animal-hide tents and build their fires high, composing a story of the great boy Aigin who saves his people.
He is now Aigin-the-Noidi.The use of subtitles is something which American viewers have a hard time accepting.
Action and vocal inflection carry the storyline well enough that a viewer could probably understand what's going on without the subtitles even being there.Besides the universal good versus evil theme, the viewers are treated to a view of a boy growing up: the way Aigin looks at the girl from the village when he's hurt versus the way he looks at her once he is the Noidi.
The way he films the journey shots in letterbox style is nice because the viewer can always tell when the Tchudes are traveling.
The sound is interesting in that every time the Tchudes come into a scene, there is a sound like a cross between a car door slamming and a slab of foot-thick ice cracking underfoot; which is a little disconcerting, just like the Tchudes themselves.Pathfinder has a great deal of violence in it.
This is the story of a 16-year-old boy 1,000 years ago who finds himself fighting alone against the killers of his mother, father and little sister.
The story is set in the northern-most reaches of what is now Scandinavia amongst the nomadic family groups of the Sami, who hunt and herd reindeer.
They know the Tchudes are most likely tracking Aigin.
All Aigin has is his wits and, as we come to realize, a determination to protect the encampment by destroying the Tchudes even if it means sacrificing his own life.
This is played out against the feelings of some in the settlement that Aigin is bad luck, that he led the Tchudes to them earlier and may very well be leading them to the coast where they are now.
Mikkel Gaup, the 19-year-old son of the film's director and writer, Nils Gaup, is a good-looking kid with blue eyes who comes across as exactly who he is playing, a capable young man who is brave and scared and determined.
This is a story about the Sámi people, to enlighten my reader, here's the beginning of a wikipedia article about them: "The Sami people, also spelled Sámi or Saami, are the indigenous Finno-Ugric people inhabiting the Arctic area of Sápmi, which today encompasses parts of far northern Norway, Sweden, Finland, the Kola Peninsula of Russia, and the border area between south and middle Sweden and Norway."The English title, Pathfinder, is rendered as Ofela in the Sámi language, and the film is also known as Veiviseren in Norwegian.
Aigin stays to avenge his family's murder.
Although forced to guide them, Aigin has a surprise plan to annihilate these savage people before they can reach the Saami camp.
This ancient coming-of-age story is very well told, with the main dialog in Sámi, translated to the viewer's language, while the words of the Tschudes, not translated, are left for the viewer to contemplate..People who lack any experience with indigenous original peoples who remain evolved with the land that has supported them for millennia, NEED to experience this look at life from the perspective of a culture unpolluted by the corruption of external forces and religion."Raste," a Noaidi of the Sámi village where Aigin escapes to, speaks to the young man about his anger and desire to avenge himself and his family against the Tchudes who killed them: Raste: Thoughts of revenge are darkening your mind.
Pathfinder is a Scandinavian fable set sometime in the 10th or 11th century involving a young indigenous Sami boy, whose family are massacred by the warring Tchudes, and flees to a nearby village to help defend them from the approaching pillagers.
But what makes it unique is the frigid Arctic setting, as well as the insight into the native culture of the Sami people.
No man is truly free, and the pathfinder serves as a beacon for guiding the boy to his destiny to save the village, as well as lead the Tchudes on their path to self destruction.
He weeps when seeing the carnage of his family, then panics when discovered by the killers and then runs desperately for his life without performing any astonishing stunts with the special effects that we have seen so often in Hollywood movies with similar plots.