"Let the River Flow" (original title: "Hører du ikke hva jeg sier?") is a Norwegian film directed by Peder Grøndahl, released in 1995. The film is set in the summer of 1979 in Alta, Northern Norway, during a pivotal moment in the struggle for indigenous Sámi rights.
The protagonist, Ester, portrayed by Ellen Ugelstad, is a Sámi woman who relocates to Alta to teach at an elementary school. She initially hides her Sámi heritage and tries to assimilate into the dominant Norwegian culture, even participating in derogatory jokes aimed at Sámi people. However, her perspective begins to shift when her cousin Mikkhal (played by Henrik Mestad) invites her to a camp by the Alta River.
At the camp, Ester witnesses a gathering of Sámi people protesting against the Norwegian government's plans to construct a dam on the Alta River. This project threatens not only the environment but also the traditional lands and way of life of the Sámi people. The protest becomes a focal point for broader issues of racism and discrimination faced by the Sámi community for years.
Tensions escalate dramatically when the peaceful protest turns into a major confrontation with the police, reflecting the deep-rooted conflict between the Sámi and the Norwegian authorities. In response to the escalating situation, Mikkhal and other Sámi activists decide to take their protest to Oslo, where they plan to stage a hunger strike in front of the Parliament to draw attention to their cause.
For Ester, witnessing these events serves as a turning point. She realizes the importance of embracing her Sámi identity and standing up against the injustices faced by her people. Motivated by the bravery and determination of her cousin and the other activists, Ester decides to join them in Oslo, symbolically abandoning her efforts to assimilate and choosing to fight for Sámi rights alongside her community.
The film "Let the River Flow" explores themes of identity, cultural heritage, environmental conservation, and social justice through the lens of Ester's personal journey and the broader historical struggle of the Sámi people in Norway. It portrays a critical moment in Norwegian history when indigenous rights and environmental activism converged to challenge government policies and societal attitudes towards marginalized communities.