MARQUETTE, Mich.—MUTT, a feature film shot entirely in the Upper Peninsula with local actors, will be screened at Northern Michigan University. It follows a young woman who is half Finnish and half Native American as she struggles to find love and her own identity in a multicultural world. The film is for mature audiences and parental discretion is advised. It will be shown at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Aug. 8-9, in Forest Roberts Theatre. Admission is by donation.

MUTT revolves around Meda Paavola, whose mother died when she was very young. She has been raised entirely by her Finnish family with almost no exposure to Native American culture. That changes when she meets and falls in love with Neil, a young man who lives on a nearby reservation. Tensions arise when Meda’s white family has trouble adjusting to her newly rediscovered roots and Neil’s traditional Native family rejects Meda as a half-breed and not a member of their tribe. The film explores whether the couple’s love will be enough to overcome the prejudice shared by their families.

This is the first feature film from Early Spring Productions in Hancock. Founded by former radio/TV personality Rick Allen, it is the only U.P. production company registered with the Michigan Film Office. NMU digital cinematography major Samantha Ozanich is an intern with the company.