Sámi Drama ‘Árru’ Boarded by The Yellow Affair Ahead of World Premiere at Berlinale (EXCLUSIVE)

The Yellow Affair has acquired lyrical Sámi drama “Árru,” which will have its world premiere in the Panorama strand of Berlinale next month. The film, accompanied by evocative “yoik” music and unfolding in scenic Arctic landscapes, explores “the struggle to break the silence surrounding intergenerational trauma,” the company said. “ ‘Árru’ is a moving exploration of Sámi identity and resilience, the dual role of heritage as both a weight and a source of strength, and the tension between preserving cultural identity and doing what is right. The film is wrapped in striking visuals and haunting melodies,” Alexandra Cruz, sales executive, The Yellow Affair, said. Amid the breathtaking landscapes of Sápmi, reindeer herder Maia fights to protect her ancestral lands from a looming mining project. As protests rise, she turns to her charismatic uncle Lemme for help, but his presence reignites deep-buried traumas. Maia must choose: save the land at the cost of her family or surrender it to break the silence. Popular on Variety “Árru” marks the directorial debut of filmmaker Elle Sofe Sara , who is also the co-writer of the film alongside Johan Fasting. In addition to being part of a reindeer herder family and shooting her film while caring for her eight-month-old baby, she is described as one of the most interesting choreographers of her generation in Norway, expressing the overlooked areas of Sámi culture. The film stars Sara Marielle Gaup Beaska, Simon Issát Marainen, Ayla Gáren Nutti, and Mikkel Gaup. “This story comes from Sápmi, but its heartbeat is universal: the longing to be recognized, the courage to speak the truth, and the possibility of healing-through song, and through the voices of the next generation,” Sofe Sara said. The film is produced by STÆR, an independent production company based in Tromsø, led by main producer and founder Elisa Fernanda Pirir. STÆR has co-produced “Palestine 36” by Annemarie Jacir, which premiered at the Toronto Film Festival and is shortlisted for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards, as well as “The Visitor” by Lithuanian director Vytautas Katkus, winner of the best director award at the main competition of the Karlovy Vary Film Festival. STÆR is currently in post-production on “Wake of Umbra” by Carlos Reygadas, “Awaiting Birds” by Sofía Quirós, “Where the River Begins” by Juan Andrés Arango, and “A Sweetness from Nowhere” by Ester Martin. “Árru” is co-produced by Mimmi Spång from Garage Film International in Sweden, Jani Pösö from It’s Alive in Finland, and Elle Sofe Company in Norway. The film is financed by the International Sámi Film Institute, the Norwegian Film Institute, the Swedish Film Institute, Finnish Film Foundation, Arctic Film Norway, Sámediggi, New Dawn, Eurimages, Nordisk Film & TV Fond, NRK, YLE, SVT, Sametinget and Cadre Bord. It has the support of imagineNATIVE and INDIGENOUS Cinema Alliance. The Yellow Affair slate also includes Joscha Bongard’s “Babystar,” which had its premiere at Toronto Film Festival in the Discovery Selection, and Jonas Ulrich’s black metal drama “Wolves,” which premiered at the Zurich Film...

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