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

As a movie buff who’s spent years traversing the cinematic landscapes of various eras and cultures, I can confidently say that “Raptures” has left an indelible mark on my filmographic map. The story, set amidst the tumultuous backdrop of 1930s Sweden, resonates deeply with me, having grown up in a region not too dissimilar to where this controversial religious sect emerged.


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

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

He didn’t intend to disseminate rumors; rather, his interest was sparked by the “Korpela Movement” – a contentious religious group that originated in Northern Sweden, became infamous for its apocalyptic views, unusual rituals, and unconventional sexual practices.

I didn’t simply focus on choosing the most tantalizing tales; rather, I stayed committed to what I believed mattered. I hail from that area myself, and I was brought up by a village preacher. As a child, I had overheard murmurs about this movement, and it always seemed somewhat inappropriate or taboo, something we weren’t supposed to talk about.

Later in life, Blåhed found himself questioning religious dogmas.

He shares that as a child, he was compelled to attend church, an experience he found uncomfortable. Particularly distressing was listening to his father discuss topics like death and the hereafter, which felt strange to him. However, he makes it clear that despite his discomfort with this past experience, the Korpela Movement remains in his memory.

10 years ago, I had a conversation with a coworker about a particular topic, and it was brought up once more recently. I found myself contradicting their assertions: ‘That’s not how it happened!’ It struck me then: ‘Perhaps I am the one who should share this account.’

In ‘Raptures,’ directed by Andreas Emanuelsson and Tony Österholm, produced by Iris Film AB and co-produced by Tiina Pesonen for Rabbit Films, we delve beyond the realm of religion. Both Blåhed’s character and that of his female counterpart experience intensely personal struggles.

In the upcoming series “Icebreaker”, Rakel (Jessica Grabowsky) finds herself in a peculiar predicament: her husband Teodor (Jakob Öhrman) forms a cult-like group. As events become increasingly strange, she must contemplate if loyalty to one’s partner extends as far as standing by him, even when he claims to be the Savior himself.

In that specific scenario, what might be your response? Particularly if you’re a devout Christian who finds it challenging to challenge traditional patriarchal norms. My grandmother was a part of the Laestadian revival movement and although she wasn’t vocal, she had great strength. I felt Jessica’s actions and expressions would 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 engages in discussions with God, which provide us insights into her true emotions. Despite not always displaying it openly, Jessica appears to be torn about the current situation. By the conclusion of the shoot, Jessica admitted that her jaw ached from holding everything inside.

He gathered around Grabowsky a group of distinguished Finnish acting talents, including Elina Knihtilä and Alma Pöysti, who was nominated for a Golden Globe and is recognized from the movie “Fallen Leaves.

He expresses his affection for Finnish movies, as his father hails from Finland. He’s thrilled that everyone was keen to participate, and this excitement is heightened by the fact that we filmed using a language that isn’t commonly spoken anymore: Meänkieli, which he mentions.

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

In Sweden, Meänkieli is viewed as a “minority language,” while it’s considered a “dialect” in Finland. As I hail from that region, I understood the immense significance this would hold for the locals, and I wanted to make them feel proud. Maintaining this language isn’t easy, but they are doing an outstanding job. This film is the first to be shot in Meänkieli, and it all felt perfectly natural.

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 screening, I found myself yearning to return to that captivating world. Delving into this topic is no simple task; its complexity has always been present. The film serves as an invitation for me and others to engage in conversations about it. Intriguingly, there are still individuals connected to those who were part of the cult. In tight-knit communities, such secrets can linger like a haunting shadow, resistant to being shaken off. This film may stir up these buried emotions once more, but I hope that it will ultimately prove beneficial for all parties involved.

Right now, Blåhed is polishing up the last edits for a movie that was showcased at the 2023 Finnish Film Affair and will be released in the beginning of next year. This film, distributed by Picture Tree International, unveils its preview below:

The situation isn’t clear-cut. It’s challenging to pinpoint the precise aim of this group, or distinguish between right and wrong. However, people found joy in attending these events, and surprisingly, some of their leaders offered a sense of optimism,” he notes.

In the story ‘Raptures’, Teodor isn’t necessarily a villain, yet he exhibits characteristics that one might associate with a bad person. It seems unlikely that he could sustain his actions today without intervention, though there are those who may persist. I hope this tale encourages reflection on spirituality and the impact it has on individuals. People join these communities for diverse purposes, with varying motives, aspirations, and dreams.

Andreas Rothbauer of Picture Tree International notes that the topic at hand isn’t just significant due to its historical context, but it also resonates strongly with current times, if not universally timeless. There are numerous instances throughout history where the boundary between devotion and illusion can become unclear.

It appears there’s a persistent allure, not merely accepting, but proclaiming absolute knowledge about the genuine truth. This propensity has often led to discord and strife. In our current times, characterized by increasingly divided communities, this holds more relevance than ever before compared to past eras.

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2024-09-24 14:48