Let the River Flow (2023): Cast, Box Office & Plot
Let the River Flow is a 2023 drama directed by Ole Giæver, starring Ella Marie Hætta Isaksen as Ester, Maria Bock and Finn Arve Sørbøe. It runs 1 hour 58 minutes and earned $859,967 worldwide.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 58m (118 min)
- Director
- Ole Giæver
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
- Northern sami
- Studio
- Mer Film
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Let the River Flow About?
The premise of Let the River Flow without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
In 1979, Ester moves to Alta, Northern Norway, to teach at an elementary school, concealing her Sámi heritage due to societal shame. Eager to fit in, she even participates in jokes targeting her own culture. A visit with her cousin Mikkhal to a camp protesting a dam project on the Alta River reveals a deeper struggle against the systemic racism and discrimination faced by the Sámi people. Following a tense clash with police, Mikkhal and others embark on a hunger strike in Oslo, prompting Ester to confront her identity and ultimately decide to stand with her community.
Let the River Flow Themes & Keywords
· 12 tags- 1970s
- sami
- northern norway
- sami people
- hunger strike
- dam project
- based on true story
- protest
- suicide
- period drama
- 1979
- docudrama drama
Let the River Flow Cast & Characters
Ella Marie Hætta Isaksen leads the cast as Ester, with Maria Bock as Principal and Finn Arve Sørbøe as Stein. Directed by Ole Giæver; 16 actors are credited in all.
- Director Ole Giæver
- Ella Marie Hætta Isaksen as Ester
-
Maria Bock as Principal - Finn Arve Sørbøe as Stein
- William Sigvaldsen as Thomas
Also Starring in Let the River Flow
· 12 more- Mary Sarre Áhkku
- Gard Emil Elvenes Mihkkal
- Sofia Jannok Risten
- Ivar Beddari Gøran
- Robert Amadeus Gaup Mienna Ailu
- Mikkel Gaup Ailu's Father
- Johannes Joner Minister
- Hanne Mathisen Haga Siv Anita
- Trond Peter Stamsø Munch
- Sverre Porsanger
- Marie Kvernmo Marit
- Beaska Niillas Piera
More from Ole Giæver
More films directed by Ole Giæver: The Mountain and Tommy.
Let the River Flow Plot Summary
What happens in Let the River Flow from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In 1979, Ester Ella Marie Hætta Isaksen leaves for Alta to take a temporary teaching post. Before the move, she visits her mother Máret Maria Bock, who lives with her Norwegian husband Stein Finn Arve Sørbøe and their son Thomas William Sigvaldsen. On television, reporters discuss Sámi opposition to the Alta Hydroelectric Power Station, casting a shadow over the town’s future. Ester’s journey begins with a return to her roots: she joins her grandmother Áhkku Mary Sarre for cloudberry gathering, where Áhkku sings the yoik that her late father composed for Ester.
Full summary
The whole story of Let the River Flow, scene by scene
Let the River Flow Box Office
Let the River Flow grossed $859,967 worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$860K
- International
- $860K
Let the River Flow Trailers & Videos
2 videos: 2 trailers.
- Trailer Official Trailer
How Well Do You Know Let the River Flow?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What temporary job does Ester take at the beginning of the film?
Let the River Flow Also Known As
8 alternative titles, including “Anna joen virrata” and “Ellos eatnu - Låt älven leva”.
- Also known as
-
- Anna joen virrata
- Ellos eatnu - Låt älven leva
- Ellos eatnu - Lasst den Fluss leben
- Ļaujiet upei plūst
- Dejad que el río fluya
- Deixeu que el riu flueixi
- Nechajte rieku tiecť
- Nechte řeku téct
Seen Let the River Flow?
Movies Like Let the River Flow
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Sami Blood, River and Where the Rivers Flow North.
Let the River Flow FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, post-credit scenes and language of Let the River Flow, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Let the River Flow?
Let the River Flow runs 1 hour 58 minutes (118 minutes).
When was Let the River Flow released?
Let the River Flow was released on January 16, 2023.
Who directed Let the River Flow?
Let the River Flow was directed by Ole Giæver.
More films by Ole Giæver Who is in the cast of Let the River Flow?
Let the River Flow stars Ella Marie Hætta Isaksen as Ester, Maria Bock as Principal and Finn Arve Sørbøe as Stein, among 16 credited actors.
How much did Let the River Flow make at the box office?
Let the River Flow grossed $859,967 worldwide.
Does Let the River Flow have a post-credit scene?
No. Let the River Flow has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is Let the River Flow in?
The original language of Let the River Flow is Northern sami.
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