Following the critically acclaimed films Sami Blood (2016) and Charter (2020), Swedish director and writer Amanda Kernell returns to Sápmi with her latest film, Brace Your Heart (Förbannelsen – en kärlekshistoria). Set against the backdrop of the vast northern landscapes, the story explores themes of love, identity, and the struggle for survival as a reindeer herder. Filming has begun in Norrbotten, Sweden’s northernmost region, with a planned theatrical release in 2026.
Brace Your Heartfeatures real reindeer herders Elli Sara Valkeapää, Vincent Niia, and Andte Gaup-Juuso in the lead roles. Staying true to her approach in earlier works, Kernell draws inspiration from real-life events and personal experiences. She describes the film as a heartfelt tribute to those who have weathered life’s storms and those still navigating their own battles.
“I am so very happy to be creating this film with an amazing team both in front of and behind the camera. I believe this cast, consisting essentially of reindeer herders, will take the world by storm.”
Amanda Kernell, director
Synopsis
When 20-year-old Ejva’s father suddenly passes away, she steps up to take over the family’s reindeer herd—a role she has spent her whole life preparing for. But the job is dangerous, and nearly impossible to do alone, so to protect the herd, she enters a relationship out of necessity. Then, when she unexpectedly finds her first great love, everything changes. Now, Ejva faces an impossible choice: stay in an unsustainable situation or walk away from everything she has fought for.
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Amanda Kernell is a graduate of the National Film School of Denmark. Her feature debut, Sami Blood, premiered at the Venice Film Festival, where it became a major audience success. The film won the Best Nordic Film award at the Göteborg Film Festival, along with Guldbagge Awards for Best Screenplay (Kernell) and Best Actress (Lene Cecilia Sparrok). Her most recent film, Charter, had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival and received multiple Guldbagge Awards, including Best Director, Best Cinematography (Sophia Olsson), and Best Actress (Ane Dahl Torp).
Brace Your Heart reunites Amanda Kernell with her longtime, award-winning collaborators, including cinematographer Sophia Olsson, sound designers Brian Dyrby and Kristoffer Salting, production designer Sabine Hviid, and producer Eva Åkergren. The film is produced byNordisk Film in co-production with Forest People, Compass Films, Invictus, Nordisk Film Production Denmark, Filmpool Nord, SVT, and Film i Väst, with Henrik Zein and Calle Marthin serving as executive producers. Nordisk Film oversees distribution in Sweden, while TrustNordisk handles international sales.
Source: Film i Väst/Nordisk Film Photo credit: Carl-Johan Utsi
This post/page may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. For details, visit our Affiliate Disclosure page.
Following the critically acclaimed films Sami Blood (2016) and Charter (2020), Swedish director and writer Amanda Kernell returns to Sápmi with her latest film, Brace Your Heart (Förbannelsen – en kärlekshistoria). Set against the backdrop of the vast northern landscapes, the story explores themes of love, identity, and the struggle for survival as a reindeer herder. Filming has begun in Norrbotten, Sweden’s northernmost region, with a planned theatrical release in 2026.
Brace Your Heart features real reindeer herders Elli Sara Valkeapää, Vincent Niia, and Andte Gaup-Juuso in the lead roles. Staying true to her approach in earlier works, Kernell draws inspiration from real-life events and personal experiences. She describes the film as a heartfelt tribute to those who have weathered life’s storms and those still navigating their own battles.
Synopsis
When 20-year-old Ejva’s father suddenly passes away, she steps up to take over the family’s reindeer herd—a role she has spent her whole life preparing for. But the job is dangerous, and nearly impossible to do alone, so to protect the herd, she enters a relationship out of necessity. Then, when she unexpectedly finds her first great love, everything changes. Now, Ejva faces an impossible choice: stay in an unsustainable situation or walk away from everything she has fought for.
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Amanda Kernell is a graduate of the National Film School of Denmark. Her feature debut, Sami Blood, premiered at the Venice Film Festival, where it became a major audience success. The film won the Best Nordic Film award at the Göteborg Film Festival, along with Guldbagge Awards for Best Screenplay (Kernell) and Best Actress (Lene Cecilia Sparrok). Her most recent film, Charter, had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival and received multiple Guldbagge Awards, including Best Director, Best Cinematography (Sophia Olsson), and Best Actress (Ane Dahl Torp).
Brace Your Heart reunites Amanda Kernell with her longtime, award-winning collaborators, including cinematographer Sophia Olsson, sound designers Brian Dyrby and Kristoffer Salting, production designer Sabine Hviid, and producer Eva Åkergren. The film is produced by Nordisk Film in co-production with Forest People, Compass Films, Invictus, Nordisk Film Production Denmark, Filmpool Nord, SVT, and Film i Väst, with Henrik Zein and Calle Marthin serving as executive producers. Nordisk Film oversees distribution in Sweden, while TrustNordisk handles international sales.
Source: Film i Väst/Nordisk Film Photo credit: Carl-Johan Utsi
This post/page may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. For details, visit our Affiliate Disclosure page.
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