Boazovázzi

Around midsummer, reindeer herders of village Ávžžášjávri in Finland collect their reindeer and mark the newborn calves. Marks are a series of cuts to calves’ ears and this tradition has been men’s job before. Ellen-Maaret Juuso puts her city life to a pause and flies to Käsivarsi Wilderness Area to do her share of this Sámi tradition. Boazovázzi is a fascinating documentary that, through its protagonist Ellen-Maaret, speaks of the importance of reindeer herding for indigenous communities; it is also about the challenges of balancing city life and traditions. (Tromsø International Film Festival)