Sámi Drama Series

Sámi Youth Drama Series ‘Oro Jaska’ Premieres Across the Nordics

Poster for the sami youth series Oro jaska/Hold Kjeft (Shut Up)

Created by Silje Bürgin-Borch and Vegard Bjørsmo, the new Sámi youth drama series Oro Jaska, also known as Hold kjeft (which translates to ‘shut up’), is set to premiere on Norwegian and Finnish public broadcasters NRK TV and YLE on November 14, followed later by a release on Swedish SVT.

The six-episode series, directed by Petter Holmsen and Ánne Mággá Wigelius, centers on a group of friends in Kárášjohka, exploring the emotional aftermath of a traumatic rape, while uncovering the deep scars and silence surrounding the incident.

Watch the trailer for Oro Jaska here.

I am deeply humbled to have had the opportunity to work with such brave, young voices, and incredibly proud of them and the story they entrusted to Vegard and me.”

Silje Bürgin-Borch, producer and co-creator

In addition to co-creating the series, Vegard Bjørsmo also plays a central role, alongside Kátjá Rávdná Broch Einebakken in the leading role. The main cast for Oro Jaska also features a talented ensemble of established and emerging actors, including Estrid Gustafsson-Fjellheim, Ole-Gabriel Buljo, Máret Áile Gaup Beaska, and Benjamin Valio-Engebø

Kátjá Rávdná Broch Einebakken and Vegard Bjørsmo in Oro jaska - Hold kjeft
Kátjá Rávdná Broch Einebakken & Vegard Bjørsmo. Photographer: Julia Marie Naglestad

I hope that when young people watch this Sámi series, it can inspire and motivate them to pursue acting and spark an interest in creating new Sámi series.”

Vegard Bjørsmo, actor and co-creator

Oro Jaska was filmed in Kárášjohka, a cultural and political center for the Sámi people in the Sápmi region. It is located in Finnmark County, the northernmost region of Norway, where around 90 percent of the population speaks Sámi.

The first two episodes of the series were screened at the community center in Kárášjohka on November 7, as a pre-premiere of the series. The screening served as a celebration of community collaboration, showcasing the involvement of local talent both in front and behind the camera.

Oro Jaska is written by Silje Bürgin-Borch, Vegard Bjørsmo, Kathrine Nedrejord, and Eila Marie Engkvist Muotka, with contributions from writers’ room members Ole Henrik Lifjell, Timimmie Märak, and Elle Risten Eiraand. The series is produced by Alfredfilm for NRK, in co-production with Feelgood SFT, Snowreel AS, Rabbit Films OY, with support from International Sámi Film Institute, Filmfond Nord, Nordisk Film og TV Fond, Sametinget, Fond for Lyd og Bilde, and HATS. The executive producer for NRK is Ales Ree.

Source: The International Sámi Film Institute Photo credits: Julia Marie Naglestad

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