19-25 January
2026
In the remote Tornedalen of the 1930s, a principled wife must choose between her faith and her family's survival when her devout husband declares himself God's direct voice.
Rakel is a devout Christian living with her husband Teodor and his daughter Elsa in the Torne Valley (Tornedalen) in the 1930s. Given the strict framework imposed on inhabitants by Sweden at the time, the preaching of the revivalist Korpela in the local language (Meänkieli) was greatly anticipated. When Korpela eventually fails to appear, Teodor claims he speaks directly with God and takes over as the leader. The more her husband deviates from her Christian faith, the more Rakel doubts. How far is she willing to go to keep her family together?
Jon Blåhed's psychological thriller deals with people's need for faith and community, but also abuse of power, injustice, and religious extremism. The film is inspired from real events and Bengt Pohjanen's novel Dagning, röd!, and is the first feature film with Meänkieli as the main language. It has already won awards at several international film festivals.
Jon Blåhed (b. 1987) is a director and screenwriter born in Gällivarre, Sweden. He worked in the film industry for ten years, including as a unit production manager on major films like Thelma and Melancholia, before taking on the role of director. His films are set in Northern Sweden, and his latest feature film is the first in the world with Meänkieli as the main language.
2021 The Count
2020 Inland
2019 Shut Up Haters
2018 Maj Doris
| Programme: | Films From the North - Features, TIFF Digital |
| Original title: | Rörelser |
| Director: | Jon Blåhed |
| Country: | Sweden |
| Year: | 2025 |
| Run time: | 1h 48m |
| Screenplay: | Jon Blåhed |
| Cast: | Jessica Grabowsky, Jakob Öhrman, Maria Issakainen |
| Dialogue: | Finnish, Swedish |
| Subtitles: | English |
| Producer: | Andreas Emanuelsson, Tony Österholm |
| Age limit: | 15 |