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…
Ester
Mihkkal
Risten
Piera
Marit
Stein
Thomas
Áhkku
Gøran
Principal
Sami Colleague
Siv Anita
Norwegian colleague
Norwegian colleague
Norwegian colleague
Ailu
Ailu's Father
Harald
Susanne
Protester
Protester
Protester
Protester
Protester
Single Mother
Daughter
Son
Asta
Meeting participant in Máze
Meeting participant in Máze
Hunger striker
Hunger striker
Bus driver
Priest
Mihkkal's mother
Mihkkal's father
Chief of Police
Leader in civil protection
Bouncer
NRK reporter Alta
NRK photographer Alta
Bartender
Man on Boat
Drunk man
Drunk man
Drunk man
Neighbor
Drunk man
Minister
Police constable Oslo
NRK reporter Oslo
Man from Lyngen
Aunt Inger
Volunteer doctor
Doctor
Nurse
Secretary of State