Class
Article
College
College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Department
English Department
Faculty Mentor
Christine Cooper-Rompato
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Abstract
The 2010s saw an increase in the use of Sámi religion and culture as a resource in popular culture products. Two notable 2019 animated children’s movies rely heavily on Sámi culture, traditions, and characters to accomplish their narrative goals. The Netflix original movie Klaus, directed by Spanish filmmaker Sergio Pablos presents an origin story for Santa Clause wherein a Sámi group becomes a labor force comparable to Santa’s elves. Created in consultation with Sámi Parliament, Disney’s Frozen 2 introduces a group of Indigenous people called the Northuldra, which are intentionally modeled after the Sámi people. This presentation examines these texts, considering them in the context of changing demographics of Sami nations and current legal and social struggles for Sámi self-determination. Though it notes the positive elements of Sámi portrayal, especially in Frozen 2, the research cited in the presentation also examines the potential repercussions of homogenous, magical, and/ or sanctified Sámi depictions in these texts. These repercussions are significant to consider as Sámi people continue to struggle for legal and social self-determination in Norway, Iceland, and Sweden, and as Sámi people move to urban areas at increasing rates. While other scholarship has focused heavily on religion making in Frozen 2 and Klaus, this research focuses on the potential social repercussions of the films, ultimately pointing out a need for more diverse representations of Sámi people in popular culture products as Sami demographics change. Presentation Time: Wednesday, 1-2 p.m. Zoom link: https://usu-edu.zoom.us/j/82747382202?pwd=MmJHRFF0SG5kR21RQ0RsR2lDN1RBdz09
Location
Logan, UT
Start Date
4-11-2021 12:00 AM
Included in
The Need for Diverse Representations of Sámi People in a Modern World
Logan, UT
The 2010s saw an increase in the use of Sámi religion and culture as a resource in popular culture products. Two notable 2019 animated children’s movies rely heavily on Sámi culture, traditions, and characters to accomplish their narrative goals. The Netflix original movie Klaus, directed by Spanish filmmaker Sergio Pablos presents an origin story for Santa Clause wherein a Sámi group becomes a labor force comparable to Santa’s elves. Created in consultation with Sámi Parliament, Disney’s Frozen 2 introduces a group of Indigenous people called the Northuldra, which are intentionally modeled after the Sámi people. This presentation examines these texts, considering them in the context of changing demographics of Sami nations and current legal and social struggles for Sámi self-determination. Though it notes the positive elements of Sámi portrayal, especially in Frozen 2, the research cited in the presentation also examines the potential repercussions of homogenous, magical, and/ or sanctified Sámi depictions in these texts. These repercussions are significant to consider as Sámi people continue to struggle for legal and social self-determination in Norway, Iceland, and Sweden, and as Sámi people move to urban areas at increasing rates. While other scholarship has focused heavily on religion making in Frozen 2 and Klaus, this research focuses on the potential social repercussions of the films, ultimately pointing out a need for more diverse representations of Sámi people in popular culture products as Sami demographics change. Presentation Time: Wednesday, 1-2 p.m. Zoom link: https://usu-edu.zoom.us/j/82747382202?pwd=MmJHRFF0SG5kR21RQ0RsR2lDN1RBdz09