CANCELLED: Nordic Film Series to feature Finnish historical drama on March 12

Updated 3/12/20: With the primary concern of patron safety, the Finnish American Heritage Center’s Nordic Film Series screening for today is cancelled.

A Finnish film based on the infamous witch hunts in the Nordic countries in the 1600s is the March selection for the Finnish American Heritage Center’s Nordic Film Series. Screenings will take place at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 12 at the Finnish American Heritage Center.

“Tulen Morsian” (The Devil’s Bride) tells the story of Anna, and takes place on the Åland Islands — an autonomous area between Finland and Sweden — in 1666, just as the most widespread and systematic witch hunts in Scandinavia’s history were beginning. For Judge Psilander, who has mastered the newest witch theories of the time, the trials are meant to cleanse the island of superstition, and to let science and common sense prevail. The main character, the intelligent yet stubborn Anna, is afforded an intimate view of the events, having just started working as a maid in the judge’s house.

The film is 1 hour and 45 minutes long and is in Finnish and Swedish with English subtitles. There are some brief scenes of adult content, most of which is implied rather than shown.

Nordic Film Series screenings are open to the public; donations are appreciated. For more information about this month’s film, call (906) 487-7549.