SAWIYANO TA

The documentary follows MIKE ÅRSJÖ, who was adopted from Chile but grew up in a small village in the rainforest of Papua New Guinea, where he became part of the SAWIYANO people. The film portrays his return to the village after 20 years, now as an adult and contemporary artist.

Through Mike’s unique perspective – as both an insider and an outsider – the audience gains a rare and intimate insight into an Indigenous community whose culture is increasingly threatened by outside influences. The film addresses themes such as sexuality, migration, climate change, and colonial legacy, while also highlighting the strength of human connection, family ties, and cultural belonging.

Using unique archival material and a strong visual narrative, SAWIYANO TA becomes a timeless film about humanity’s deep longing to belong – regardless of origin, gender, or place.

  • Since Mike speaks their language, the door to the world of the Sawiyano opens and it becomes possible for me to follow the life there and their relationships.

    The film is shoot on location in Sweden and Papua New Guinea.

  • Original Title: SAGOTRÄDET
    Language: English, Swedish, Sawiyano
    Duration: 90 mins feature length version / 58 mins version
    Production Company: Felix Film AB, Sweden/ Co-producer SVT Sweden
    Director: Titti Johnson, Helgi Felixson
    Screenplay: Titti Johnson, Helgi Felixson

    Sound: Jacob Felixson

    Producer: Helgi Felixson

    Release: 2026

CAN YOU SEE ME

Driven by an insatiable thirst for answers and the unraveling of secrets long buried, Isac embarks on a journey alongside his father, Helgi, the filmmaker. What begins as a search for truth transforms into an odyssey of the soul, where each step forward is a step inward, delving into the depths of their shared and separate histories. The tale unfolds through two lenses—Isac’s eyes, hungry for understanding, and Helgi’s, weathered by time and memory. Their bond, both fragile and unbreakable, becomes a central thread in this tapestry of discovery.

Directors note:

“Adopting a child reshaped the contours of my life, filling it with joys and challenges that I had never imagined. Through this film, I sought to capture the essence of that journey, to reflect the emotions, the struggles, and the profound transformations that adoption brings. It is a story of love, loss, and the search for belonging—told not just in words, but in the silent spaces between them.” – Helgi Felixson

Filmed on location in Sweden and Sri Lanka