Well-paced with great lead actors
Native Sami director Nils Gaup has an admirable history directing films. Two-time winner of the Amanda Award for Best Film (1988, 1994) and recipient of the People’s Amanda Award in 2008 for his historical drama epic, The Kautokeino Rebellion, Gaup consistently demonstrates his talent in bringing history to life.
Set in the mining town Sulitjelma (Sulis). and starring Otto Fahlgren as the young miner Konrad Nilsson and Simon Berger as mining company superior Olof Wennstrøm, The Riot takes place in 1907 and is based on real events. Although it was Norway’s second largest workplace at the time, the mining town was very isolated and communication challenging. Workers and leaders at each site meet in secret to organise a strike; however, there are informants for Wennstrøm within their crew.
This is a story about struggle, where the miners are fighting for basic human conditions, including their own safety, but are met with an oppressive corporate power. Wennstrøm, representing the company, has come over from America to improve profit margins. Focusing on the life of Nilsson, the film begins with his youth as a slave labour child, follows his role in the strike against the mining company, and chronicles the start of the very first union in Norway.
Similar to themes explored in director Gaup’s previous film, The Kautokeino Rebellion, The Riot delves into exploitation, land rights, the negative impact of modernisation, oppression, livelihoods, and the ruthless greed that underlies capitalism. In particular, the film vividly portrays how the relentless pursuit of wealth, power and prestige can erode basic human values and compassion. As owners of the land, the company were able to maintain control using their own ‘police’ force, so when spokesperson Helene Ugalnd (Alexandra Gjerpen) travels from afar in an attempt to unite the workers against the company to fight for better working conditions, she is swiftly arrested.
Apart from its historical significance, the film delivers a powerful message: the fight for justice requires strong leadership, trust, and unity. Rune Temte (Captain Marvel) as Rasmus is leader of Nilsson’s team and like most of his roles, seamlessly delivers his performance. Fahlgren as Nilsson also brings strength to the role, while Gjerpen as Ugalnd adds authenticity. Pernille Sandøy is Nilsson’s love interest Johanna and Heidi Ruud Ellingsen is Svarta Bjørn. Although less integral to the plot their roles as support actresses bring a softness to the film, representing the humanity that the men are fighting for.
This film is suitable for all audiences, and the focus on Nilsson’s life provides strong character development and plot formation. The difficulty for viewers lies in the set production, which is understandably constrained by the setting (and as such, I have not rated it down). Multiple scenes are shot in the mine where the action takes place, at times making it visually challenging for us to watch as it is dark and obscure.
Spoken in Norwegian, Swedish, Sámi with English subtitles, The Riot was part of the Official Selection at the Göteborg Film Festival and Tromsø International Film Festival 2024.
The Riot screens as part of the Saxo Scandinavian Film Festival at Palace Nova Cinemas.
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