Árru
In the world’s first yoik musical, a Sámi family’s fight to protect their ancestral lands brings up long-buried secrets.
The fell landscape may look barren and desolate, but it is full of life – and death. The latter threatens the way of life of a Sámi reindeer herding family when a mine is developed in the middle of their grazing lands.
There’s no shortage of cigarette breaks as single parent Maia (Sara Marielle Gaup), her daughter Áilin (Ayla Gáren Nutti) and brother Dánel (Simon Issát Marainen) tend their herd on their ancestral land. Faced with seemingly inevitable downfall, Maia seeks help from her uncle, who has distinguished himself in similar battles. In addition to hope, his presence awakens long-buried trauma and forces Maia to make a choice: should she act according to her conscience or continue to remain silent when the interests of both the country and the community demand it?
In her directorial debut, Elle Sofe Sara from Kautokeino in Norwegian Sámiland takes on a topical issue. Permits are granted and obstacles swept aside, as long as you remember the magic words: the green transition, critical minerals and the defence industry. Although the story unfolds in a Norwegian setting, the mining industry and logging threaten Sámi culture and nature throughout Sámiland.
Sara makes exceptional use of the traditional Sámi expression in her portrayal of protest, the bond between people and the land, and silent trauma. Perhaps the answer lies in the joik when standing up to your own community becomes unavoidable.
Minna Saarinen (translated by Mira Liimatainen)
Screenings
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Bio Rex LasipalatsiTue 22.9. at 17.30–19.0898 min, 1/3Guests present: Elle Sofe Sara
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VuotaloWed 23.9. at 18.00–19.3898 min, 2/3
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Kinopalatsi 5Sat 26.9. at 21.00–22.3898 min, 3/3
Trailer
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