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MOVIE REVIEW The Movie Guy
Once again, I bring you another movie bashing. Unfortunate for me, I cannot bash this month's movie. Yes, it was that good. Even Loki would have a difficult time criticizing this fine flick. Therefore, I actually recommend that you spend any amount of time and effort to find and watch Ofelas, or Pathfinder in English. This is a tale that is derived from the Kalevala of Finnish myth. It is a rousing adventure from the Lappland's heathen tradition. The film was dubbed in English, but alas, the credits were in Norwegian. In light of that, I am not quite certain which of the barely pronounceable names is that of the producer. The main character is Melde Leat (I think), who is finely performed by Mikkel Gaup (maybe). In any case, this movie is the story of a young man who returns home to find his family murdered by a band of raiders who may be the poeple of Pohjola from the Kalevala. At first he flees to another Lapp tribe, but that is where his true adventure begins. The other tribe has a benefactor that they call the Pathfinder. He leads the tribe in hunts and their trails of reindeer herds. He is also, apparently a good Seidhman. In the hunt for a bear to feed the tribe, they show the men of the tribe enchanting a silver ring for protection, and he takes on the spirit of the bear after his death for three days. As a result, he is not allowed to return to the tribe for the safety of the Folk. Interestingly enough, they show an act that may be considered true Ergi. A common belief is that Ergi refers to passive anal intercourse. The opinion that I subscribe to is that Ergi is allowing oneself to be ritually humiliated for some kind of magical purpose. In Pathfinder, when the men return from the hunt, they are gathered around the dead bear chanting a deep-throated incantation. The women of the village are running in a circle about the men singing a song of their own. The men then turn outward, facing the circle of women, and the women spit blood into their faces. Personally, I would find that to be highly insulting. In the course of the film, the pathfinder dies at the hands of the Pohjola raiders. Well, Melde gets caught up in the affairs of the tribe and finds himself fighting the raiders. He skis well, and is a consummate archer, making him a formidable warrior. Wounded, bleeding, and without a bow, he is captured by the bad guys. As a hostage, they force him to lead them to where the tribe has fled to. Well, the sneaky little brat led the whole band off a cliff. Ain't that nice. This movie has everything that any good pagan would like: vengeance, magic, hunts, intrigue, and a really cute star. There is absolutely no christian influence in this movie (unusual for a film that came from the same country that spawned Ólaf the Traitor). Also, for you Odinic types, this gives some interesting insight into the pagan traditions of the Sami shamans of the Lappland, called Hamhleypa, Rennagöndum, or some other appropriately daed and archaic word. For more insight into Finnish heathenism, you may want to read the Kalevala: The Land of Heroes, published by Everyman's Press 1977. Also, one might want to contact Bill Linzie of Eyvindr Hearth. Mr. Linzie is connected with the Foundation for Shamanic Studies. Additionally, he has studied under Ailo Gaup, a Sami Lapp shaman. The address for the Eyvindr Hearth is: 210 Alamo, Las Vegas, New Mexico 87701. (note: this may not be current) The movie should not be overanalyzed, simply enjoyed. But, if you love confusing yourself, try reading the Kalavela, I know that I am now confused. Hel, I may even start writing book reviews. Won't you just love that.....NOT. Well as you know, I have a rating system for movies, which is: F. It sucks. F.U. It is barely tolerable. F.U.TH. Pretty average, could be worse. F.U.TH.A. Better than average, makes interesting points. F.U.TH.A.R. Pretty good, worht wasting your hard earned money. F.U.TH.A.R.K. Don't count on it, I'm a picky bastard. Yes, I was damned picky. Still this film somehow rated an amazing F.U.TH.A.R.K. !!!
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