ELLE SOFE SARA

Elle Sofe Sara, based in Guovdageaidnu, is a choreographer and director who works at the interlaces of filmmaking, dance and theatre. In her works she regularly sheds light on the social, political and cultural peculiarities and challenges of the Sámi People.

Elle Sofe is the festival profile at the Arctic Arts Festival in Harstad in 2020 and 2021. In 2019, she won the Moon Jury Award for her short film Ribadit at Imagine Native Film Festival in Canada. Elle Sofe is also one of four talents in Talent Norway’s filmmakers program and founder of Dáiddadállu/ Sámi artist collective in Guovdageaidnu.


“Vástádus eana -The answer is land” (2021)

Fellowship between people and kinship with the nature around us are the main themes in Vástádus eana – the answer is land by the Sámi choreographer Elle Sofe Sara. Yoik, the Sámi folk music, is the main element of the performance. It creates a uniquely powerful and beautiful experience, which lingers long after the last notes have faded. The work is made with and for the seven female performers, who are all renowned dancers and yoikers. They come from different backgrounds, bringing their own story and voice into the work. The choreography is inspired by how people move in demonstrations, Sámi spiritual practices and formation dance.

Original cast
KAJSA BALTO
JULIE MOVIKEN
OLGA-LISE HOLMEN
SARA MARIELLE GAUP BEASKA
EMILIE MARIE KARLSEN
NORA SVENNING
GRETE DALING

Secondcast
TRINE LISE MOE
HERBORG RUNDBERG
VILJA TJEMSLAND KWASNY
EMMA ELLIANE OSKAL VALKEAPÄÄ
ANNA NÄKKÄLÄJÄRVI- LÄNSMAN
MARIANNE KJÆRSUND
RISTEN ANINE GAUP
ULLA PIRTTIJAVRI

Artistic leader, choreographer
ELLE SOFE SARA

Composer
FRODE FJELLHEIM

Co-choreographer
ALEXANDRA WINGATE

Costumes
ELLE SOFE SARA
RAMONA SALO

Set design
ELIN MELBERG

Light design
ØYSTEIN HEITMANN

Dramaturge
THOMAS SCHAUPP

Light technician
ANNIELL OLSEN

Sound technician
EIVIND STEINHOLM

Tour leader
INGVILD KIRKVIK

Hat sewing
ZOJA GALKINA
UNNI FJELLHEIM
SARA INGA UTSI BONGO
KAREN INGA BULJO OSKAL
JORUNN LØKVOLD
HILLY SARRE

Dress sewing
KAREN INGA BULJO OSKAL
ANN MARI SARA

Origin of the performance title
RÁJÁCUMMÁ/ KISS FROM THE BORDER BY
NIILLAS HOLMBERG
OUTI PIESKI
JENNI LAITI

Participants preproject
KATARINA BARRUK
MAYA MI SAMULENSEN
ALEXANDRA WINGATE

Producers
MAIKEN GARDER
NORDBERG MOVEMENT
SIRI BØRS-LIND

Collaboration partners
DAVVI CENTRE FOR PERFORMING ARTS
THE SÁMI NATIONAL THEATRE BEAIVVÁŠ

Collaboration partners 2022
HÅLOGALAND TEATER
DAVVI SENTER FOR SCENEKUNST
DET SAMISKE NASJONALTEATRET BEAIVVÁŠ
DANSENETT NORGE

Co-producers
ARCTIC ARTS FESTIVAL
NORRLANDSOPRAEN
TANZ IM AUGUST

Funded by
SÁMEDIGGI
NORSK KULTURRÅD
NORDISK KULTURKONTAKT
TROMS OG FINNMARK FYLKESKOMMUNE
FOND FOR LYD OG BILDE
DÁIDDAFOANDA
SÁMIRÁĐĐI
SPENN

Tour 2022 funded by
SÁMEDIGGI
BERGENS STIFTELSEN
FOND FOR LYD OG BILDE
TROMS OG FINNMARK FYLKESKOMMUNE
NORSK-FINSK KULTURFOND
ARCTIC ARTS FESTIVAL
DANSENETT NORGE
PAHN

Development grants from
TROMS OG FINNMARK FYLKESKOMMUNE
NORSK KULTURRÅD

Video documentation
ANTERO HEIN/ HEIN CREATIONS

 

Excerpts from review by Karen Frøsland Nystøyl, NRK, 20 june, 2021

“There is a certain moment where indigenous struggle meets women’s struggle and the struggle of art against the pandemic. It can hardly be more charged.”

“As the sounds of the music continue to expand, a notion of unity emerges. It is driven by the music, the dance and a collective unified in every aspect on stage.”

“Vástádus eana – The answer is land” is a work a huge audience should experience. When cultural life can go back to more normal conditions, I sincerely hope someone seizes this unique opportunity Elle Sofe Sara offers: A little all-night sonorous magic.”

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