Elina: As If I Wasn't There

In rural Sweden of the early 1950s, little Elina goes to school again after recovering from tuberculosis, the same illness that has killed her father a few years earlier. Elina's family belongs to Finnish-speaking Finns frowned upon by a staunch schoolmistress who starts hounding Elina for questioning her authority. Elina's mother, sister, and a liberal young male teacher all try to mediate the ensuing battle of wills between Elina and Miss Holm. Elina finds consolation in wandering out on the dangerous marshlands to have imaginary conversations with her dead father. Written by Markku Kuoppamäki

Country: Finland, Sweden

Cast

Natalie Minnevik

Bibi Andersson

Marjaana Maijala

Henrik Rafaelsen

Tind Soneby

Björn Granath

Jarl Lindblad

Sara Arnia