Identity and belonging are at the heart of Finnish Einari Paakkanen’s documentary Finding Kvens, pitched at Finnish Film Affair, in which two women fight to prove that Kven culture – a Norwegian minority with Finnish roots – is alive and kicking, even as everybody tries to convince them otherwise.
Kvens are a Balto-Finnic ethnic group in Northern Norway who, in 1996, were finally granted minority status. In 2005, Kven was recognised as a minority language in Norway. (see Wikipedia Kvens page).
The two Kven women in question are Kjersti, a ‘cultural warrior’ and ‘unstoppable performance artist, activist and dentist’ who is determined to prove to the world that Kven heritage is very much alive – whether through poetry, DJing as ‘Saunasaatana,’ or attaching the kven flag to her father’s army jeep and driving around the locality. Unni is just as evangelical about her Kven roots, and is on a mission to help others navigate their own identity crises.
With humour and warmth, the film explores the question at the heart of identity, the synopsis reads. That said, it is a topic of utmost seriousness to the Kven community.
The community is barely known in Finland, says producer Marianne Mäkelä (napafilms), even though the Kven language is understandable for Finns. It’s in Sweden and especially Norway where the Kven question is particularly relevant and current. “It is in public discussions, especially in recent years, when both of the countries have released [their] truth and reconciliation commission reports,” Mäkelä says, adding that core co-pro funding for the project comes from Norway and Sweden.
“What makes it relevant for audiences outside these countries is the universal layer of finding and building your identity from the fragments left by the assimilation process of the Norwegian government. The universal approach can also be found through the family of our main character [Kjersti]. The film explores the themes of intergenerational trauma, shame and how families, with a combination of different backgrounds, cope.”
Director Einari Paakkanen’s ability to approach the subject with warmth and humanity is a boon for the film, Mäkelä argues. “Einari has a unique cabability to get close to his characters and he has a very warm-hearted approach. His films are both emotional and humouristic. This is definitely a strength for the production.”
“The look of the film mixes observational cinema with carefully composed images of the characters’ mindset, as well as the landscapes of Northern Norway that have shaped the Kven culture,” she adds.
Finding Kvens will go into production in 2026, and napafilms is looking to ready the film for the 2027 festival circuit. “Nordic festivals such as CPH:DOX and Tromsö Intl Film Festival are very important for the film. We also see potential in North American festivals such as TIFF,” says Mäkelä.
“Currently there are no plans for impact work, but we hope to have screenings in North of Norway, Sweden and Finland. Cinema on wheels could be a possibility to reach audiences that are not living in a city with a theatre,” she adds.
With local funding in place, Mäkelä and her team will be using FFA to get feedback on potential audience numbers outside the Nordics, meet with festivals and for general networking, she tells BDE.
