World Premiere for Amanda Kernell's "Brace Your Heart" at the Toronto International Film Festival

"Brace Your Heart" premiered on Tuesday in the Platform competition section at the Toronto International Film Festival. The film, which bears the original Sámi title "Garrat du Váimmu", was written and directed by Amanda Kernell and produced by Eva Åkergren for Nordisk Film Production.

Brace Your Heart

Amanda Kernell

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.

Production Facts

Original title: Garrat du Váimmu
Director & Script Writer: Amanda Kernell
Producer: Eva Åkergren

Produced by Nordisk Film Production in co-production 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.

Photo credit: Ellen Hoving/Nordisk Film