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.
ABOUT THE CREATORS
Silje Burgin-Borch is a Norwegian director, writer, and series creator. She studied screenwriting at UCLA School of Film, Theater, and Television. Silje is an award-winning television director and producer who has worked in Norway as well as in the U.S., Germany, and the UK. Oro Jaska, which is the first high-quality Sámi drama series to date, is her third series as a series creator, and her first drama series. Silje was also head writer and main producer of Oro Jaska.
Vegard Bjørsmo, from Karasjok, Norway, is a Sámi artist and musical theater performer, with a BA in Musical Theatre from the Norwegian College of Musical Theatre. He first gained national recognition at the age of 19 through NRK’s Stjernekamp, and has since established himself as a musician, actor, and series creator. Vegard is the co-creator of Oro jaska, the first Sámi drama series on NRK in 30 years, for which he also composed parts of the soundtrack and played one of the leading roles.
Kathrine Nedrejord is a Sami playwright and author whose work explores hierarchies, colonialism, and the relationship between victim and perpetrator. The first female playwright in residence at Norway’s National Theatre, she has written twelve books—including Forbryter og straff (Crime and Punishment) and the award-winning Sameproblemet (The Sami Problem)—with her plays staged across Europe. Shut Up is her first TV-series as a screenwriter.
