Stolen

Premise

Nine-year-old Elsa, a Sámi girl, witnesses her reindeer, Nastegallu, being poached and is frightened into silence. Ten years later, she vows revenge against the poacher.

Cast

Elin Kristina Oskal as Elsa Stuorbma

Risten Alida Siri-Skum as young Elsa

Martin Wallström as Robert Isaksson, the man who targets the Sámi’s herd of reindeer

Lars-Ánte Wasara as Mattias, Elsa's brother

Nilsa Aleksander Nutti as young Mattias

Magnus Kuhmunen as Nils-Johan, Elsa’s father

Ánne Lájlá Westerfjell Kalstad as Marika, Elsa’s mother

Inger Gunhild Maria Tapio as Áhkku, Elsa’s grandmother

Pávva Pittja as Lasse, Elsa’s family friend

Niilá Emanuel Omma as Niila Heatta, Elsa’s love interest

Ida Persson Labba as Anna-Stina, Elsa’s friend

Ellá Márge Nutti as young Anna-Stina

Matias Tunold as Per-Jonas

Charlotte Lindmark as Police Officer Martinsson

Dakota Trancher Williams as Police Officer Ljungblad

Simon Issát Marainen as Olle, reindeer herder and the village spokesperson

Juho Kuusamo as Petri Stålnacke

Esaia Valio Länta as Jon-Isak

Per Olof Nutti as Johan Heatta

Anna-Margareta Päiviö as Hanna, Lasse's sister

Anton Hennix Raukola as Anders Nyqvist

John Anderberg as Olson

Jennifer Lila as an American tourist

Production

Director Elle Márjá Eira is Sámi herself and grew up in Kautokeino Municipality. Actress Elin Kristina Oskal is also Sámi, having grown up in Saltdal Municipality in Nordland county. During her school years, Oskal was the only Sámi student in her class. Eira stated that it was important to cast Sámi actors, as they would be familiar with reindeer herding as well as the struggles the Sámi community faces.

Filming took place in Sápmi—specifically Vittangi and Övre Soppero in Norrbotten County, Sweden—in early 2023.

Release

Ahead of the premiere, Netflix released promotional images on 15 February 2024. Two teaser trailers were released on 19 March 2024 and 5 April 2024, respectively.

Reception

Helena Lindblad of Dagens Nyheter gave the film three out of five stars, writing that, at times, the film veered "unnecessarily close" to the source material, becoming "burdensome" and "rigid." She commended Ken Are Bongo's cinematography, writing that the film had an "appealing setting for a story that, albeit bluntly, articulates the magnificence of reindeer herding and how strongly it – although, of course, far from covering everyone – characterizes Sámi culture and identity." Lars Böhlin of Västerbottens-Kuriren also gave the film three out of five stars, calling it "excellent" and commending its set design and cinematography. Karolina Fjellborg of Aftonbladet wrote, "Stolen convinces and touches, and is extremely beautiful to look at, although some aspects of the story feel underdeveloped."