On November 22, Scandinavia House and the Consulate General of Norway present a special screening of the first two episodes of the International Emmy-nominated Sámi youth drama series Shut Up (Oro jaska). Series creators Silje Bürgin-Borch and Vegard Bjørsmo will be present with screenwriter Katherine Nedrejord for a panel after the screening.

Set in a small town in the heart of Sápmi, the cross-country region the Sámi people call home, Shut Up follows Elli Anne, a young Sámi woman whose intimate world collapses after a brutal rape. As she seeks justice within a tightly knit community bound by tradition and family loyalty, the narrative takes a gripping turn when Issat, a celebrated snow cross racer, is accused. The allegation not only threatens his reputation but forces him to confront his own closely guarded secret: that he is queer.

Praised as “powerful and timely,” Shut Up marks a historic first—it is the first Sámi TV drama of its kind to center social issues from within the community, told by Sámi voices. With a commitment to the guiding principle “Nothing about us without us,” the series was developed by a writers’ room composed entirely of young Sámi creatives, including queer voices. The series’ action is based on eight in-depth interviews conducted with Sámi women who have experienced abuse, and extensive research amongst Sámi who identify as queer.

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