Nordlund grew up in Stockholm and has a BA degree in Art History from the University of Stockholm. In 1962, she met Alberto Seixas Santos, whom she married, and her interest in cinema grew.

In 1970, this interest transformed into a profession when she became an assistant on several films: Quem Espera por Sapatos de Defunto Morre Descalço by João César Monteiro (1969–1970), O Recado by José Fonseca e Costa (1970–1971), Pedro Só by Alfredo Tropa (1970–1971), and Fragmentos de Um Filme-Esmola by João César Monteiro (1972). With Brandos Costumes, by Alberto Seixas Santos (1973–1974), her name began to enter the credits as editor. She worked on editing the films of many directors, such as Manoel de Oliveira, João Botelho, Alberto Seixas Santos, and Thomas Harlan, as well as political documentaries.