Nine-year-old Elsa, a
Sámi girl, witnesses her reindeer Nastegallu ("White Spot") being poached and is frightened into silence. Ten years later, she vows revenge against the poacher.
Director Elle Márjá Eira is Sámi herself and grew up in
Kautokeino.[1][2] Actress Elin Kristina Oskal is also Sámi, having grown up in
Saltdal,
Nordland. During her school years, Oskal was the only Sámi student in her class.[3] Eira stated that it was important to cast Sámi actors, as they would be familiar with
reindeer herding as well as the struggles the Sámi community faces.[4]
Ahead of the premiere,
Netflix released promotional images on 15 February 2024.[8] Two teaser trailers were released on 19 March 2024 and 5 April 2024, respectively.[9]
Reception
Helena Lindblad of Dagens Nyheter gave the film three out of five stars, writing that, at times, the film veered "unnecessarily close" to the source material, becoming "burdensome" and "rigid." She commended Ken Are Bongo's cinematography, writing that the film had an "appealing setting for a story that, albeit bluntly, articulates the magnificence of reindeer herding and how strongly it – although, of course, far from covering everyone – characterizes Sámi culture and identity."[10] Lars Böhlin of Västerbottens-Kuriren also gave the film three out of five stars, calling it "excellent" and commending its set design and cinematography.[11] Karolina Fjellborg of Aftonbladet wrote, "Stolen convinces and touches, and is extremely beautiful to look at, although some aspects of the story feel underdeveloped."[12]