Norsk filminstitutt

A true story of passion and betrayal set against the growing hysteria of a lethal witch-hunt in Åland anno 1666.

The year is 1666 and a lethal witch-hunt is about to begin. The passionate Anna falls intensely in love with her friend Rakel’s husband, Elias, however his interest in her lasts shortly. Hurt and jealous Anna decides to get her revenge by falsely accusing Rakel of witchcraft. When Rakel is arrested Anna realizes the seriousness of her actions, but it might be too late.

The story of Anna (16) takes place on Åland Island in 1666, just as the most widespread and systematic witch hunts in Scandinavian history were beginning. In all, 16 women were convicted of being in league with the devil, and seven of them were executed.
For Judge Psilander, who has mastered the newest witch theories of the time, the trials are meant to cleanse the island of superstition, and to let science and common sense prevail. The main character, the intelligent yet stubborn Anna, is afforded an intimate view of the events, having just started working as a maid in judge’s house.
To Anna’s misfortune, she falls intensely in love with her friend Rakel’s husband Elias, but his infatuation with her quickly fades. A hurt and jealous Anna decides to get her revenge and falsely reports Rakel to Judge Psilander.
It’s only when Rakel is arrested, and things get out of hand, that Anna realizes the gravity of her behaviour. This is the beginning of her lonely battle, a desperate attempt to right her wrongdoing.

Production and distribution

Production Year:
2016
Production country:
Finland
Co production country:
Latvia
Norway
Sweden
Release date (national):
2016-09-07
Production company:
Periferia Productions Oy
Co production company:
Götafilm
Pomor Film AS
Sun & Moon Pictures
Periferia Productions Oy
Executive producer:
Pauli Pentti
Producer:
Markku Flink
Line producer:
Saara Kankaanpää
Co producer:
Knut Skoglund
Christer Nilsson
Tomas Makaras

Director

  • Saara Cantell

    Saara Cantell (Born 1968) has written for the screen and directed numerous short films as well as five feature films - Unna & Nuuk (2006), Heartbeats (2010), The Stars Above (2012), The Two and Only (2013) and Jill and Joy (2014).

Cast

Karl Jönsson:
Antti Reini
Nils Psilander:
Magnus Krepper
Rakel Larsdotter:
Elin Petersdottir
Elias Olsson:
Lauri Tanskanen
Anna Eriksdotter:
Tuulia Eloranta
Valborg Magnusdotter:
Kaija Pakarinen
Bryniel Kjellinus:
Claes Malmberg
Ulrica Johansdotter:
Johanna Af Schultén
Lady Elizabeth Psilander:
Kari Onstad Winge
Gertrud Bengtsson:
Julia Korander

Crew

Director:
Saara Cantell
Screenplay:
Leena Virtanen
Saara Cantell
Cinematographer:
Konsta Sohlberg
Camera:
Iddo Soskolne
Editor:
Malin Lindström
Composer:
Stein Berge Svendsen
ProductionDesigner:
Matiss Kalnins
Prop Master:
Janis Karklins
Costume Designer:
Katja Watkins
Makeup artist:
Riikka Virtanen
Sound Design:
Tormod Ringnes
Sound engineer:
Tormod Ringnes
Sound Recording:
Martins Rozentals
Ivars Vegis
VFX supervisor:
Tuomo Hintikka
VFX artist:
Lasse Kilpiä
First assistant director:
Andrius Brazas
Script:
Marja Leena Hukkanen
Casting:
Tusse Lande
Minna Sorvoja
Still photographer:
Konsta Sohlberg

Technical information

Genre:
Drama
Format:
HDCAM SR
Colour:
Colour
Length in min's:
109'
Language:
Swedish
Finnish
Subtitles:
English

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