Klaus— Animation’s forgotten Sámi representation
So, I just watched Netflix’s Klaus for the first time with my parents, and I am astounded at how good this film is. Not only is it beautiful and a revolutionary game changer in the restoration of 2d animation, it is a charming Christmas origin story full of heart and a poignant message about spreading kindness.
I heard about all of these things, which is why I had wanted to watch the film since it came out last year. But you know what I didn’t hear about?
This girl, named Margu. And the presence of Sámi people and culture throughout the film.
Oh my gosh, when Margu showed up on Jesper’s porch and I saw that they were actually including
Sámi people in this Scandinavian Christmas tale, I nearly cried.
And I’m not even remotely Sámi. I’m Italian- Sicilian. I just love culture and representation okay?
Not only do we get to see this one young Sámi girl, we get to see their entire indigenous Sámi community.
I don’t think enough people realize just how incredible this is.
Like, we technically got Kristoff and the Northuldra in Frozen, but none of them really look or feel Sámi. There’s little to no of the culture.
This? Has never been done before. This is huge.
And yet nobody is talking about it. I suspect it’s because people forget that there are white indigenous cultures that have been threatened and stamped out by Western culture as well. Also see: the Celts.
And even more beautiful? They never speak English. They speak their native language, Sámi.
Not only are we seeing an accurate indigenous language on screen, the English characters work to communicate with them. Margu and the Sámi community (who help save the day as heroes) never assimilate.
Literally the last time we saw northern indigenous people represented linguistically in animation was Brother Bear— and they used a Bulgarian woman’s choir to sing Iñupiat lyrics (see this video by the brilliant Sideways on YouTube for reference).
We see their homes. We see their lifestyle. We see their clothing. We hear their language.
And none of it is ever questioned. It doesn’t play into the plot or anything. This historically margainalized indigenous group is just... celebrated.
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