Elle Sofe Sara

Sámi reindeer herder Maia fights to protect her ancestral lands from a looming mining project. Amid the growing protests, she is also confronted with deeply buried family traumas. Maia is forced to make a decision.

Ribadit (pulling in the belt) was a tradition in the Sápmi village of Guovdageaidnu. This film introduces us to two elders who experienced this. Director Elle Sofe gives this old tradition new life in an unexpected way, along with Sápmi youths and dancers.

A visual short film showing the Laestadian trance.

Elle Sofe Sara is a choreographer and filmmaker who works from her hometown of Guovdageaidnu in Northern-Norway. She says that in order for one to move ahead, one has to look back and see where one came from. In this short portrait we get to know her and what drives her to create.

Sámi reindeer herder Maia fights to protect her ancestral lands from a looming mining project. Amid the growing protests, she is also confronted with deeply buried family traumas. Maia is forced to make a decision.

Sámi reindeer herder Maia fights to protect her ancestral lands from a looming mining project. Amid the growing protests, she is also confronted with deeply buried family traumas. Maia is forced to make a decision.

Ribadit (pulling in the belt) was a tradition in the Sápmi village of Guovdageaidnu. This film introduces us to two elders who experienced this. Director Elle Sofe gives this old tradition new life in an unexpected way, along with Sápmi youths and dancers.

Ribadit (pulling in the belt) was a tradition in the Sápmi village of Guovdageaidnu. This film introduces us to two elders who experienced this. Director Elle Sofe gives this old tradition new life in an unexpected way, along with Sápmi youths and dancers.

A visual short film showing the Laestadian trance.

A visual short film showing the Laestadian trance.

Elle Sofe Sara is a choreographer and filmmaker who works from her hometown of Guovdageaidnu in Northern-Norway. She says that in order for one to move ahead, one has to look back and see where one came from. In this short portrait we get to know her and what drives her to create.