Norway / Jan 16, 2023 / 12 / Tromsø International Film Festival
Overall average
5.0/10
Trailer

Videos
Plot
During summer 1979, Ester moves to Alta in Northern Norway to begin teaching at an elementary school. Like many Sámi at the time, she is ashamed of her heritage and conceals her ethnicity. Ester goes to great lengths to fit in, even joining in with the derogatory jokes. When her cousin Mikkhal takes her to a camp by the Alta River, where people are demonstrating against the building of a dam, Ester learns how the fight for the river is also a revolt against the years of brutal racism and discrimination against her people. After a major confrontation with the police, Mikkhal and some other Sámi decide to go to Oslo to hunger strike in front of the Parliament. Knowing what is at stake, Ester realises it is time to make a stand…
Main cast
Full cast
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Mary Sarre | Áhkku |
| Ivar Beddari | Gøran |
| Maria Bock | Principal |
| Ingá Elisá Påve Idivuoma | Sami Colleague |
| Hanne Mathisen Haga | Siv Anita |
| Marianne Kristoffersen | Norwegian colleague |
| Kristine Cornelie M. Hartgen | Norwegian colleague |
| Gina Lindås Theodorsen | Norwegian colleague |
| Robert Amadeus Gaup Mienna | Ailu |
| Mikkel Gaup | Ailu's Father |
| Trond Peter Stamsø Munch | Harald |
| Mathilde Storm | Susanne |
| Karoline Stemre | Protester |
| Espen Mauno | Protester |
| Wenche Kristiansen | Protester |
| Andreas Daugstad Leonardsen | Protester |
| Mikael Clavier | Protester |
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| Sarakka Gaup | Single Mother |
| Aile Sofie Gaino Sara | Daughter |
| Joan Nils Issat Eira | Son |
| Anitta Suikkari | Asta |
| Anja Saiva Bongo Bjørnstad | Meeting participant in Máze |
| Nils Henrik Buljo | Meeting participant in Máze |
| Emil Karlsen | Hunger striker |
| Ánte Siri | Hunger striker |
| Aslak Mathis Gaup | Bus driver |
| Sverre Porsanger | Priest |
| Sara Marit Gaup | Mihkkal's mother |
| Mattis S. Hætta | Mihkkal's father |
| Frank Jørstad | Chief of Police |
| Stig Frode Henriksen | Leader in civil protection |
| Øystein Isaksen | Bouncer |
| Ellen Birgitte Winther | NRK reporter Alta |
| Martin Hovden | NRK photographer Alta |
| Solveig Danlioff Jonas | Bartender |
| Nils Gaup | Man on Boat |
| Dag Andreas Balto | Drunk man |
| Eirik Johansen | Drunk man |
| Michael Hoel | Drunk man |
| Håkon Mathias Vassvik | Neighbor |
| Kristen Johansen | Drunk man |
| Johannes Joner | Minister |
| Frode Winther | Police constable Oslo |
| Eirik Hallert | NRK reporter Oslo |
| Bernt Bjørn | Man from Lyngen |
| Britt Elin Hætta Isaksen | Aunt Inger |
| Thea Borring Lande | Volunteer doctor |
| Marte Magnusdotter Solem | Doctor |
| Kristi-Helene Engeberg | Nurse |
| Kristi-Helene Engeberg | Secretary of State |
Genres
Technical details
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Original title | Ellos eatnu - La elva leve |
| Original language | SE |
| Spoken languages | Norsk, svenska |
| Production countries | Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden |
| Status | Released |
| Production companies | Mer Film, Bufo, Zentropa International Sweden, Knudsen Pictures, Helmet AS |
| Release date | 3 febbraio 2023 |
| Executive producer | Axel Helgeland |
| Production | Maria Ekerhovd, Ragna Nordhus Midtgard, Lizette Jonjic, Kristine Knudsen, Bente Maalen, Jeanette Sundby, Alexander Somma, Line Klungseth Johansen, Mark Lwoff, Misha Jaari, Øystein Moe |
| Writer | Ole Giæver |
| Casting | Nina Erdahl |
| Editing | Wibecke Rønseth |
| Cinematography | Marius Matzow Gulbrandsen |
| Assistant directors | Ole Giæver |
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| Camera operators | Marius Matzow Gulbrandsen |
| Additional photography | Marius Matzow Gulbrandsen |
| Production design | Ragnhild Juliane Sletta, Cecilie De Lange |
| Art direction | Ragnhild Juliane Sletta, Cecilie De Lange |
| Set decoration | Ragnhild Juliane Sletta, Cecilie De Lange |
| Music | Pessi Levanto, Ola Fløttum, Bent Holm |
| Sound | Pessi Levanto, Ola Fløttum, Bent Holm |
| Costume design | Nell Knudsen |
| Makeup | Nell Knudsen |
| Hairstyling | Nell Knudsen |
| Budget | 4.450.000 € |
Release dates
Premiere
Indonesia / Jun 07, 2024 / 17+ / Europe on Screen
Australia / Mar 15, 2025 / Birrarangga Film Festival
Theatrical release
Denmark / Feb 03, 2023 / 15
Norway / Feb 03, 2023 / 12
Finland / May 05, 2023 / K-12
Sweden / May 12, 2023 / 11
Physical media
Australia / Dec 20, 2023 / M
TV
France / Apr 27, 2026 / Arte
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