Documentary filmmaker Suvi West showed a critical view of the abuse of power against the Sámi people in her film Eatnameamet. West was awarded the National Prize for Information Communication for her film for her accessible narrative, which presents the voice of the minority.
The reason for this was that he did not believe that a Sámi could win an award in Finland for a film that criticised the state’s practices towards the Sámi people in an unvarnished way.
West was surprised. On Tuesday 13 September, the State Prize for Public Information was awarded to _Eatnameamet – Our Silent Struggle_ for its documentary filmmaking, which is socially charged and features minority voices.
– In this situation, the prize symbolizes much more than just one Sámi receiving a prize. Instead, it shows that there are many in Finnish society who support the Saami struggle and the right to self-determination,” West says in an interview with Yle.
The award came at an important time for the director
Suvi West thought that Finnish society is not ready to see a critical film made by a Sámi. A film in which the Sámi people tell in their own words about the use of power, which has affected their lives in many different ways. Time after time, from the projects that are rolling over, which are to destroy the whole culture.
Because West unadornedly opened up about this exercise of power in his film, he felt that winning a whistleblowing award would be unlikely. The recognition arouses many kinds of hopes in the director.
– Is Finnish society finally realizing that if they want the Sámi culture to live in the future, then they can no longer be silent? For me, the fact that it’s perfectly okay to say these things directly, and you don’t have to hide them in pretty pictures and phrases, has a great symbolic value.
In West’s opinion, the timing of receiving the award is interesting, as the reform of the Sami district law is expected to advance to parliament. However, time is running out if it is to be pushed through in this government term. West sees that the prize in this relationship also has an important meaning.
– It can give us a little hope that this Finnish society is not completely racist, he reflects.
Knowledge increases understanding
Suvi West says that embellishment does not help if you want to promote Sámi issues in society and in the current political situation.
– Every day we have to take a stand and fight so that our culture is preserved in the future as well.
In Finland, according to several sources, knowledge about the Sámi is quite lacking. Suvi West says that the goal of the film was to increase information for Finns. West says that the film succeeded in this based on the contacts he received alone.
– This was not the film where I could be artistically free or where I could bring out the products of the soul. The purpose of this film was to share knowledge. Yes, this award reinforces that idea.