Sami Blood

In 2017, Christina, a 78-year-old woman, arrives in a picturesque town in Swedish Lapland for her younger sister's funeral. Accompanied by her son Olle and granddaughter Sanna, she feels a strong aversion to the Sami community, expressing her critical views openly.

As Christina settles in, she is plagued by memories of her childhood. Torn between her roots and resentment towards her heritage, she chooses to stay in a hotel instead of her late sister's family home.

Flashback to the 1930s, 14-year-old Elle-Marja endures her mother's illness and the harsh rules of a nomadic boarding school for Sami children. Punished for speaking Sami, she strives for academic excellence under a strict blonde teacher.

In her new school, Elle-Marja excels in academics but feels increasingly isolated from her peers. The arrival of researchers from the State Institute for Racial Biology intensifies her discomfort, as they objectify her and her classmates.

After facing bullying from boys, Elle-Marja reacts in frustration by nicking her ear and discarding her traditional attire. This act signifies her desire for a change and rejection of her Sami identity.

Elle-Marja's curiosity leads her to a dance where she finds herself treated with respect while dancing with Niklas from Uppsala. She momentarily forgets her heritage, but her sister disrupts this fleeting joy, resulting in punishment.

Motivated by her goals, Elle-Marja seeks a recommendation from her teacher, who expresses doubt about Sami students excelling in advanced education. Undeterred, Elle-Marja decides to escape to Uppsala, longing for a better future.

In Uppsala, Elle-Marja adopts the name Christina Lajler and enrolls in school. However, her struggle with financial hardships quickly arises as she receives tuition bills, forcing her to find creative solutions.

Desperate to cover her educational costs, Elle-Marja returns to Niklas' celebration seeking help. Instead, her ancestry is revealed, leading her to face ridicule as she is coerced into performing a traditional joik.

Finding herself unable to sustain her schooling, Elle-Marja reluctantly heads back to her family's home. Here, she faces rejection as her mother refuses to let her sell their reindeer, highlighting the deep connection to their culture.

In a poignant moment, Elle-Marja's mother gifts her a silver belt from her father, signifying a passing of tradition and love. This act enables Elle-Marja to pursue her education once more, bonding her with her heritage.

The timeline returns to 2017, where Christina experiences a moment of reflection and reconciliation. Finally acknowledging her complex emotions, she expresses her sorrow to her deceased sister Njenna, articulating her struggles in the South Sami language.