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.
