TrustNordisk is proud to announce that Amanda Kernell’s third feature film BRACE YOUR HEART is selected for Competition in the Platform programme at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival. Platform honors filmmakers with a strong directorial vision and distinctive storytelling on the world stage.
The festival takes place from September 10th to 20th.
BRACE YOUR HEART is based on writer and director Kernell’s own original screenplay, where she returns to Northern Sweden with a story set in a remote Sámi community with reindeer herding at the heart of their nature and livelihood. The film follows a young woman torn between following her heart and navigating the expectations and traditions of her family, work, and culture.
“It’s fantastic! Toronto is one of the world’s most important film festivals, and to present the film there, in competition with a small selection from across the globe, is a huge honor. Above all, I’m so proud of everyone who has been part of creating this film. They have truly given everything; behind reindeer herds, in avalanches, through frozen lakes and down into icy waters. I can’t wait for the world to meet this brilliant cast, which almost entirely consists of reindeer herders,” says director Amanda Kernell.
She continues, “just like my other films BRACE YOUR HEART is a choir piece of different people’s memories and experiences; in this case, those within reindeer herding who lost their fathers early, those who found love, and those who have faced the painful choice between confrontation and forgiveness.”
Kernell first gained international recognition with the critically acclaimed SAMI BLOOD which premiered at the Venice Days section of Venice Film Festival in 2016, where she received the award for Best Debut Director. The film went on to become a festival favorite establishing Kernell as one of Scandinavia’s most promising emerging voices. Her second feature, CHARTER, world premiered at Sundance Film Festival and selected as Sweden’s official Academy Award® entry for the Best International Feature Film category, confirming her reputation as a distinctive auteur with a unique cinematic vision.
The film features a cast of real reindeer herders, with emerging talents The film features a cast of real reindeer herders, with emerging talents Elli Sara Valkeapää as Ejva, Andte Gaup-Juuso as Heaika, and Vincent Niia as Nejla in the lead roles.
"We are thrilled to see BRACE YOUR HEART selected for competition in the Platform programme at Toronto International Film Festival. It is a beautifully crafted and emotionally powerful film that captures the complexity of human relationships with great sensitivity and authenticity. We are proud to represent such a distinctive and compelling story internationally and look forward to sharing it with audiences around the world," says Managing Director at TrustNordisk, Susan Wendt.
Synopsis:
In a remote Sámi village high in the mountains, 20-year-old Ejva inherits her late father's reindeer herd. As she struggles to keep the herd thriving, local leader Heaika develops romantic feelings for her, and though hesitant, she feels compelled to accept. But everything changes when Nejla, Heaika’s cousin, arrives, and Ejva discovers true love for the first time. Betrayed and jealous, Heaika reacts harshly, leaving Ejva with a condition that makes her hands shake uncontrollably, threatening her ability to care for the herd. Now, Ejva must find a way to reclaim control over her life and her future.
Publicist during TIFF:
Manlin Sterner / manlin@manlin.se
BRACE YOUR HEART is written and directed by Amanda Kernell and produced by Eva Åkergren for Nordisk Film Production. The film is coproduced with Forest People, Compass Films, Invictus, Nordisk Film Production Denmark, Filmpool Nord, SVT and Film i Väst and supported by The Swedish Film Institute, The Danish Film Institute, The International Sámi Film Institute, Nordisk Film & TV Fund, Bulgarian National Film Center, Icelandic Film Centre, Eurimages and Arktisk Film Norge. Local distribution by Nordisk Film. International sales handled by TrustNordisk.