This engaging, eccentric documentary follows the ambitious 18-year-old Sámi rapper phenom Mihkku Laiti (aka Yungmiqu), who lives in the northernmost region of Sápmi. Following Mihkku on his unlikely rise to stardom, this is a truly unique coming-of-age story. In addition to charming the crowd at Talent Suomi, proudly wearing the traditional Sámi clothing he has styled himself and rapping in Sámi harmonies, Mihkku is a master of the time-honoured and demanding skill of herding reindeer. In the accelerated swirl of media-saturated modernity, Mihkku sees his Sámi roots as his greatest strengths. The future that lies before him is uncertain, though, as he must consider whether to follow in his father’s footsteps and practice reindeer husbandry full-time, or go after his dream of becoming an international rap star.
“A fresh portrait.”
Inari Ylinen, Docpoint Film Festival (Helsinki)
Language: In Finnish and Northern Sami with English subtitles