DocPoint’s opening film Rap and Reindeer paints a fresh portrait of 18-year-old Sámi rapper Mihkku Laiti, aka Yungmiqu, and his journey towards his dreams – and of a young person still in search of his own place in the world. When the TV competition Talent Suomi takes Mihkku from his home in Utsjoki to big stages in front of TV cameras, his music career starts to take off. Still, the future seems unclear. Should he follow in his parents’ footsteps towards a traditional way of life, or will music take him on a new path?

Inari Ylinen

Rap and Reindeer follows the life of 18-year-old Sámi rapper Mihkku, who lives in the northernmost corner of Sámiland. This coming-of-age story follows Mihkku on his journey towards a career as a musician and rise to stardom in the midst of varying expectations. He raps and yoiks in harmony, succeeds in the Talent Finland competition, styles his Sámi clothing and his own brand but also masters the skill of reindeer herding. Above all, he sees his own roots and the Sámi language as his greatest strength. Future makes him wonder: to follow his father’s footsteps or to reach for his dreams.

Production notes

The director Petteri Saario and protagonist Mihkku Laiti are present in the CineLive screening on Fri, Feb 3.