Árru
| Árru | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Elle Sofe Sara |
| Written by |
|
| Produced by |
|
| Starring |
|
| Cinematography | Cecilie Semec |
| Edited by | Michal Leszczylowski |
| Music by | John Erik Kaada |
Production company | Stær AS |
Release date |
|
Running time | 110 minutes |
| Countries |
|
| Language | Sámi |
Árru is a 2026 drama film directed by Elle Sofe Sara in her directorial debut, from the screenplay she co-wrote with Johan Fasting. It stars Sara Marielle Gaup Beaska as Maia, a reindeer herder. It is the first feature film about the joik.[1]
The film had its world premiere at the Panorama section of the 76th Berlin International Film Festival on 16 February 2026.
Premise
Set in Sápmi, Maia, a reindeer herder, fights to protect her ancestral land from mining.
Cast
- Sara Marielle Gaup Beaska as Maia
- Ayla Nutti as Áilin
- Simon Issát Marainen as Dánel
- Mikkel Gaup
Production
It is a Norwegian-Swedish-Finnish international co-production. Development began in January 2021 when Norwegian production company Mer Film initially announced the project as its slate, with Elle Sofe Sara attached to direct and Elisa Fernanda Pirir to produce.[2] In January 2023, Pirir left the company and founded her own production company, Stær Film, to which the project subsequently moved.[3]
In February 2021, the project was selected to participate at the Nordic Film Market, held during the Gothenburg Film Festival.[4] In September 2022, it was announced as one of the six projects backed by the New Dawn fund.[5] It participated at the Work in Progress section of the 2024 Les Arcs Film Festival.[6] In January 2025, it returned to the Nordic Film Market to be showcased at the Works in Progress section.[7] It was also showcased at the New Nordic Films market, held during the Norwegian International Film Festival, in August 2025.[8]
Release
Árru had its world premiere at the Panorama section of the 76th Berlin International Film Festival on 16 February 2026.[9] Ahead of its premiere, The Yellow Affair acquired the film's international sales.[10]
References
- ^ "Sámi Feature Debut Árru Invited to Berlin". Norwegian Film Institute. 14 January 2026. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
- ^ Keslassy, Elsa (19 January 2021). "Norway's Mer Film Produces Social Issue Sami Musical Drama 'Arru' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
- ^ Pham, Annika (19 January 2023). "Internationally-driven Norwegian Stær Film makes debut in Tromsø". Nordisk Film & TV Fond. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
- ^ Economou, Vassilis (19 January 2021). "Göteborg's Nordic Film Market plans a digital edition and unveils its selection". Cineuropa. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
- ^ "New Dawn selects first 6 projects". New Dawn Film. 10 September 2022. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
- ^ Lemercier, Fabien (3 December 2024). "Les Arcs' Work in Progress section to present 13 titles". Cineuropa. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
- ^ Pham, Annika (13 January 2025). "Göteborg Nordic Film Market: 'An Education's' Lone Scherfig, 'Godland's' Hlynur Pálmason, 'Orphanage' Director Shahrbanoo Sadat Make the Cut (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
- ^ Pham, Annika (8 August 2025). "Benjamin Ree, Baldvin Z, Antti J. Jokinen and Linda Hambäck Bolster New Nordic Films Pitch Slate as Full Program Is Revealed". Variety. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
- ^ Dalton, Ben (14 January 2026). "Berlin film festival reveals 2026 Special, Panorama, Generation titles including George Jaques' 'Sunny Dancer', 'The Moment' with Charli XCX". Screen International. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
- ^ Barraclough, Leo (15 January 2026). "Sámi Drama 'Árru' Boarded by The Yellow Affair Ahead of World Premiere at Berlinale (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 27 January 2026.