Unveiling the past: A deep dive into the 1930s drama “Raptures”
A story rooted in history
Jon Blåhed’s latest film, “Raptures,” delves into the enigmatic world of the 1930s, drawing inspiration from the controversial Korpela Movement. This religious sect, which emerged in Northern Sweden, was notorious for its apocalyptic beliefs and unconventional rituals. Blåhed, however, isn’t merely interested in sensationalism.
“It wasn’t just about taking the juiciest stories, but staying true to what I thought was important,” he explains. Growing up in the region, Blåhed was familiar with the whispers surrounding the movement. “I’m a son of the village preacher and I’ve heard whispers about this movement when I was a kid. It always felt a bit wrong, like something you weren’t supposed to discuss.”
Personal reflections and religious dogmas
Blåhed’s personal journey with religion significantly influenced his approach to the film. “I was forced to go to church as a kid, and I didn’t like it. It was weird, hearing your own dad talk about death and the afterlife,” he admits. This discomfort with religious dogmas stayed with him, eventually leading him to explore the Korpela Movement in greater depth.
“I remember talking to a colleague of mine 10 years ago, and this subject came up again. I found myself refuting their claims: ‘It wasn’t like that!’ I realized: ‘Well, maybe I should be the one telling this story.’”
A complex narrative
“Raptures,” produced by Andreas Emanuelsson and Tony Österholm for Iris Film AB and co-produced by Tiina Pesonen for Rabbit Films, is not just a tale of religious fervor. It’s a deeply personal story for both Blåhed and his protagonist, Rakel, played by Jessica Grabowsky.
Rakel faces a profound dilemma when her husband, Teodor (Jakob Öhrman), establishes a sect. As the sect’s activities become increasingly bizarre, Rakel must decide whether to stand by her husband, who believes himself to be the Savior.
“How would you react in that situation? Especially if you are a strict Christian that can’t really question patriarchy?” Blåhed ponders. Drawing inspiration from his grandmother, a Laestadian, he adds, “She was timid and not very outspoken, but ultimately also a strong person. I knew it would be up to Jessica and her face to tell a big part of this story.”
The silent struggle
Rakel’s internal conflict is a central theme in the film. “She has these conversations with God, which help us understand how she really feels. She doesn’t necessarily show it, but she’s conflicted about what’s happening,” Blåhed explains. Grabowsky’s portrayal of Rakel’s silent struggle was so intense that by the end of the shoot, her jaw was hurting from keeping everything in.
Blåhed surrounded Grabowsky with a stellar cast of Finnish actors, including Elina Knihtilä and Golden Globe nominee Alma Pöysti. “I love Finnish films, my dad is from Finland and I am so happy everyone wanted to be a part of it, also because we shot in a dying language they don’t actually speak: in Meänkieli,” he reveals.
A cultural and linguistic journey
Shooting in Meänkieli, a minority language in Sweden and a dialect in Finland, was a challenging yet rewarding experience for the team. “In Sweden, it’s also political. Meänkieli is considered a ‘minority language’ there: in Finland, it’s a ‘dialect.’ Coming from that region, I knew how much it would mean to local people and I wanted to make them proud,” Blåhed shares. “Raptures” is the first feature film ever shot in Meänkieli, a significant milestone for the preservation of the language.
Filming in the heart of the story
Blåhed was adamant about shooting in the region where the original story took place. “Being from the North, it was important to shoot in the North,” he smiles. After the premiere, he plans to return to the region to discuss the film with the local community. “It’s a sensitive subject, this movement. It always has been. I want to talk to people about it, because you can still find relatives of those who were in the cult. In small communities, it’s so easy for shame to linger on. You can’t shake it off. This film might bring it to the surface again, but hopefully it will be a good thing for everyone involved.”
A nuanced portrayal
Blåhed is currently working on the final cut of the film, which was presented at the 2023 Finnish Film Affair and is set to premiere early next year. The trailer can be viewed here.
“It’s not all black and white. It’s not easy to say what’s this cult’s exact goal, or what’s good and what’s bad. People were happy to be a part of these gatherings and some of these leaders actually gave them hope,” Blåhed reflects. “Teodor is not a bad guy… And yet he is. I don’t think that today, he could go on for that long before being stopped, although some surely try. I hope it can make us think about spirituality and about what it gives to people. They join these communities for very different reasons, with different agendas and different dreams.”
A timeless theme
Andreas Rothbauer of Picture Tree International adds, “Beside its historic setting, the subject is timely for today, if not timeless – with so many examples throughout history where the thin line between devotion and delusion becomes blurry.”
“There seems to be this timeless temptation not just to believe, but to claim to know the real truth, which consequently is the source of many conflicts. Today, with even more fragmented societies, this is even truer than it was back then.”
Did you enjoy this article? Share it on your social channels and let us know your thoughts! Don’t miss out on the latest updates! Follow us on social media to stay informed about the newest releases.