In ‘Raptures,’ Director Jon Blahed Looks Beyond ‘Juiciest Stories’ About Real-Life 1930s Cult and Hopes to Let Go of Shame (EXCLUSIVE)

As I delve deeper into the captivating world of Jon Blåhed and his masterpiece “Raptures”, I find myself utterly captivated by the man behind the lens. His personal connection to the story, rooted in his upbringing in a region steeped in the mysteries of the Korpela Movement, lends an authenticity that is rarely found in period dramas.

Jon Blåhed found a timely story in 1930s period drama “Raptures.”

“Some of these things happen today as well,” he says.

He had no intention of spreading rumors, rather, his interest was piqued by the enigmatic “Korpela Movement” – a religious group initially originating from Northern Sweden, later recognized for its apocalyptic views, unconventional rituals, and unique practices. This movement, however, should not be confused with the spreading of gossip.

I didn’t merely focus on the most appealing tales, but rather prioritized what I deemed significant. Growing up in that area, I am the son of a village preacher, and as a child, I overheard murmurs about this group. It always seemed somewhat dubious, as though it was a topic that shouldn’t be brought up.

Later in life, Blåhed found himself questioning religious dogmas.

As a child, I was compelled to attend church, an experience I found uncomfortable. Listening to my father discuss topics like death and the afterlife felt strange to me. Yet, the Korpela Movement is something I still recall.

Ten years ago, I conversed with a coworker about a particular topic, and it resurfaced in our discussion. I discovered myself contradicting their assertions: ‘That’s not how it happened!’ It occurred to me: ‘Perhaps it’s my turn to share the account of this incident.’

The film ‘Raptures,’ created by Andreas Emanuelsson and Tony Österholm through Iris Film AB, with additional production by Tiina Pesonen at Rabbit Films, delves into themes beyond religion. Both the character of Blåhed and his female counterpart find themselves intimately involved in the storyline.

In the upcoming series “Icebreaker”, Rakel (Jessica Grabowsky) encounters an extraordinary predicament: her husband Teodor (Jakob Öhrman) forms a peculiar cult. As events grow increasingly strange, she must ponder whether unwavering loyalty is essential – even when he believes himself to be the Messiah.

What might your response be in such circumstances, particularly if you’re a devout Christian who finds it challenging to contest patriarchal norms? After all, my grandmother was a member of the Laestadian revival movement. She may have been quiet and reserved, but she possessed an inner strength. It’s Jessica and her expressive countenance that will likely play a significant role in narrating this tale.

Rakel isn’t always silent, however, also looking up to heaven for answers.

Blåhed mentions that Jessica often talks with God, revealing her true emotions. While she may not openly display it, Jessica seems troubled by the current events. By the end of the shoot, her jaw ached from holding back all her feelings.

I gathered around me an impressive ensemble of renowned Finnish talents, including Elina Knihtilä and the Golden Globe-nominated Alma Pöysti, who was previously captivating audiences in “Fallen Leaves.” As a cinephile, it was a privilege to work alongside such distinguished actors.

He shares his passion for Finnish movies, as his father hails from Finland. He’s thrilled that everyone got involved, especially since the film was made using Meänkieli – a language that is sadly dying and not widely spoken.

It made for a “tough journey” for the entire team, but also a worthwhile one.

In Sweden, the use of Meänkieli is considered a political matter, classifying it as a ‘minority language.’ Conversely, it’s seen as a ‘dialect’ in Finland. Given my roots in that region, I understood the significance this language held for the locals and aspired to make them proud. Maintaining Meänkieli is challenging, but the efforts being made are impressive. This is the first feature film ever produced in this language, and it seemed fitting.

So did shooting in the region where the original story took place.

“Being from the North, it was important to shoot in the North,” he smiles.

Following the initial showing, I have a strong desire to revisit that place. It’s a delicate topic, this issue. It has always been so. I yearn to engage with people about it as there are still family members of those who were part of the cult residing nearby. In close-knit communities, guilt can persist for long periods. It’s difficult to let go. This film might reawaken this burden, but I hope that it will ultimately prove beneficial for everyone concerned.

Right now, Blåhed is perfecting the last edit of the movie that was displayed at the 2023 Finnish Film Affair. This film will make its grand entrance at the beginning of next year. Acquired by Picture Tree International, you can catch a sneak peek of the trailer below:

“It’s not all black and white. It’s not easy to say what’s this cult’s exact goal, or what’s good and what’s bad. People were happy to be a part of these gatherings and some of these leaders actually gave them hope,” he adds.

In the story ‘Raptures’, Teodor is not purely evil… Yet, he exhibits behavior that aligns with this label. It’s questionable whether someone like him could sustain such actions in today’s world without intervention, although there are those who might attempt it. I hope it sparks reflection on spirituality and the impact it has on individuals. People enter these communities for a multitude of reasons, with varied objectives, aspirations, and dreams.

As a movie enthusiast, I can’t help but highlight an intriguing aspect of Picture Tree International’s upcoming release. Andreas Rothbauer points out that beyond its historical backdrop, the film’s theme resonates profoundly with our current times, if not transcending them altogether. In countless instances throughout history, the boundary between devotion and delusion has been subtly obscured, making for a fascinating exploration of human nature.

It’s quite common for people to feel compelled, not only to accept something as true, but to assertively declare they have the absolute truth. This has often led to disagreements and conflicts in the past. In today’s more divided societies, this phenomenon holds even greater relevance than it did before.

2024-09-24 13:17

In ‘Raptures,’ Director Jon Blahed Looks Beyond ‘Juiciest Stories’ About Real-Life 1930s Cult and Hopes to Let Go of Shame (EXCLUSIVE)

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