With a deeply held reverence for the land that has nurtured and protected her Sámi people for millennia, single mother Maia (Sara Marielle Gaup), alongside teen daughter Áilin and brother Dánel, proudly maintains the rich tradition of reindeer herding within in the lush mountains and fjords of Gáiru. But as a proposed copper mine inches closer to becoming a reality that would devastate the landscape and force the slaughter of half the family’s herd, the siblings find no other option than to turn to their charismatic, politically well-connected Uncle Lemme (Mikkel Gaup) to help stop the project. Yet, as the resistance grows and Lemme becomes more entrenched in their lives, a long-buried pain rises to the surface as the pair must, for the first time, acknowledge what this beloved community leader did to them as children. Trapped between very real trauma and the structures of custom, Maia must summon untapped reserves of strength in choosing whether to stay silent or raise her voice and go against tradition in a deeply-rooted culture where respect for elders and their word is absolute. 

Weaving together striking visual lyricism with gritty earthiness, renowned Sámi choreographer and first-time feature director Elle Sofe Sara has crafted a stunning musical-drama that confronts abuse of land and body, as well as the perseverance that is needed to overcome both. Using traditional yoik singing to convey narrative at multiple levels, Árru counters pain with beauty and serves as a reminder that when elders fail, the young will lead.—Cedar Sherbert