Let the River Flow
7.2
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…
Where to watch
Not streaming anywhere
Not on any streaming service in United States, and not available to rent.
Your rating
Your review
Cast
56 people
Ella Marie Hætta Isaksen
Ester
Also in
Rahčan – Ella’s Riot
Nytt på nytt
Gard Emil Elvenes
Mihkkal
Known for
Beforeigners
Sofia Jannok
Risten
Also in
Charter
The Riot
Beaska Niillas
Piera
Also in
Macbeth
The Sami Song of Survival: Indigenous Activism on the Northern Frontier
Marie Kvernmo
Marit
No other roles listed
Finn Arve Sørbøe
Stein
Also in
Den fordømte nordlendingen
40 år med Oluf
William Sigvaldsen
Thomas
No other roles listed
Mary Sarre
Áhkku
Known for
Beforeigners
Ivar Beddari
Gøran
No other roles listed
Maria Bock
Principal
Known for
22 July
The Monitor
Ingá Elisá Påve Idivuoma
Sami Colleague
Also in
My Fathers' Daughter
The Afflicted Animal
Hanne Mathisen Haga
Siv Anita
Known for
Exit
Ole Giæver Director · Ola Fløttum Composer Pessi Levanto Composer
Budget $4.4M · First release January 16, 2023 · Produced in Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden
Box office
Budget
$4,450,000
Production
Mer Film
Production
Bufo
Production
Zentropa International Sweden
Production
Knudsen Pictures
Production
Helmet AS
Production
Denmark · Finland · Norway · Sweden
Produced in
Languages
Original title
Ellos eatnu - La elva leve
Original language
Northern Sami
Spoken on screen
Northern Sami · Norwegian · Swedish
Release dates
Norway · January 16, 2023
Premiere · Tromsø International Film Festival
Norway · February 3, 2023
Theatrical
No release date listed for United States.
Australia
December 20, 2023 · Physical
March 15, 2025 · Premiere · Birrarangga Film Festival
Denmark
February 3, 2023 · Theatrical
Finland
May 5, 2023 · Theatrical
France
April 27, 2026 · TV · Arte
Indonesia
June 7, 2024 · Premiere · Europe on Screen
Sweden
May 12, 2023 · Theatrical
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Some details come from TheTVDB.