Let the River Flow

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…

Ella Marie Hætta Isaksen

(Ester)

Gard Emil Elvenes

(Mihkkal)

Sofia Jannok

(Risten)

Beaska Niillas

(Piera)

Marie Kvernmo

(Marit)

Finn Arve Sørbøe

(Stein)

William Sigvaldsen

(Thomas)

Mary Sarre

(Áhkku)

Ivar Beddari

(Gøran)

Maria Bock

(Principal)

Ingá Elisá Påve Idivuoma

(Sami Colleague)

Hanne Mathisen Haga

(Siv Anita)

Marianne Kristoffersen

(Norwegian colleague)

Kristine Cornelie M. Hartgen

(Norwegian colleague)

Gina Lindås Theodorsen

(Norwegian colleague)

Robert Amadeus Gaup Mienna

(Ailu)

Mikkel Gaup

(Ailu's Father)

Trond Peter Stamsø Munch

(Harald)

Mathilde Storm

(Susanne)

Karoline Stemre

(Protester)

Espen Mauno

(Protester)

Wenche Kristiansen

(Protester)

Andreas Daugstad Leonardsen

(Protester)

Mikael Clavier

(Protester)

Sarakka Gaup

(Single Mother)

Aile Sofie Gaino Sara

(Daughter)

Joan Nils Issat Eira

(Son)

Anitta Suikkari

(Asta)

Anja Saiva Bongo Bjørnstad

(Meeting participant in Máze)

Nils Henrik Buljo

(Meeting participant in Máze)

Emil Karlsen

(Hunger striker)

Ánte Siri

(Hunger striker)

Aslak Mathis Gaup

(Bus driver)

Sverre Porsanger

(Priest)

Sara Marit Gaup

(Mihkkal's mother)

Mattis S. Hætta

(Mihkkal's father)

Frank Jørstad

(Chief of Police)

Stig Frode Henriksen

(Leader in civil protection)

Øystein Isaksen

(Bouncer)

Ellen Birgitte Winther

(NRK reporter Alta)

Martin Hovden

(NRK photographer Alta)

Solveig Danlioff Jonas

(Bartender)

Nils Gaup

(Man on Boat)

Dag Andreas Balto

(Drunk man)

Eirik Johansen

(Drunk man)

Michael Hoel

(Drunk man)

Håkon Mathias Vassvik

(Neighbor)

Kristen Johansen

(Drunk man)

Johannes Joner

(Minister)

Frode Winther

(Police constable Oslo)

Eirik Hallert

(NRK reporter Oslo)

Bernt Bjørn

(Man from Lyngen)

Britt Elin Hætta Isaksen

(Aunt Inger)

Thea Borring Lande

(Volunteer doctor)

Marte Magnusdotter Solem

(Doctor)

Kristi-Helene Engeberg

(Nurse)

Kristi-Helene Engeberg

(Secretary of State)