Elina: As If I Wasn't There (2002)
"Elina - Som om jag inte fanns" (original title)

In rural Sweden of the early 1950s, little Elina goes to school again after recovering from tuberculosis, the same illness that has killed her father a few years earlier. Elina's family ... See full summary »

Director:

Klaus Härö

Writers:

Kerstin Johansson i Backe (novel), Jimmy Karlsson (screenplay),

Stars:

Natalie Minnevik, Bibi Andersson, Marjaana Maijala

12 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview:
Natalie Minnevik	...	Elina
Bibi Andersson	...	Tora Holm
Marjaana Maijala	...	Marta
Henrik Rafaelsen	...	Einar Björk
Tind Soneby	...	Irma
Björn Granath	...	Doctor
Jarl Lindblad	...	Veikko Niemi
Sara Arnia	...	Sara
Peter Rogers	...	Anton
Carolina Berggren	...	Anna
Amanda Andersson	...	Kerttu
Zorro Svärdendahl	...	Isak

Storyline

In rural Sweden of the early 1950s, little Elina goes to school again after recovering from tuberculosis, the same illness that has killed her father a few years earlier. Elina's family belongs to Finnish-speaking Finns frowned upon by a staunch schoolmistress who starts hounding Elina for questioning her authority. Elina's mother, sister, and a liberal young male teacher all try to mediate the ensuing battle of wills between Elina and Miss Holm. Elina finds consolation in wandering out on the dangerous marshlands to have imaginary conversations with her dead father.

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Plot Keywords:

school | 1950s | teacher | finnish | discrimination | 

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Genres:

Drama | Family

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Details

Country:

Sweden Finland

Language:

Swedish Finnish

Release Date:

31 January 2003 (Sweden)

Also Known As:

As If I Didn't Exist

Box Office

Budget:

SEK 15,450,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Filmlance International AB, Filmpool Nord, Kinoproduction

Technical Specs

Runtime:

77 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film was chosen as the Finnish candidate for the foreign Oscar award, but it was unable to compete for the Finnish Jussi awards, because it was determined to be more Swedish than Finnish film (52% vs. 48%).

User Reviews

Terrific film, not just for children!

Wonderful movie for children, which should be addressed for adult/family audiences as well. Clear minded and straight ahead story with terrific children actors, shot in a breathtaking landscape, about a stubborn and righteous girl (11), fighting for her rights, getting into deadly trouble, but finally succeeding against all odds and against the majority of everybody else. Very touching, moving, striking, just wonderful. Obviously (almost) only the Scandinavian countries are able to produce such intense, rich and wonderful family films. Seen on the award ceremony of childrens section of Berlin Filmfestival 2003, where the film, with good reason, won the main award.