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Historja Still 5

Historjá - Stitches for Sápmi

Britta Marakatt-Labba in conversation with Egil Pedersen
Thursday 29.09.22

A dazzlingly beautiful and poignant documentary about the work and life story of Sami artist Britta Marakatt-Labba. Through a mix of striking images of nature and archive material, the film also gives an insight into Sami history and how climate change threatens the basis of life for Sami culture.

About the film

The film takes its origin in Marakatt-Labba's piece Historjá, a 24 meter long embroidery depicting motifs from Sami history. The embroidery has found its home at the University of Tromsø and was exhibited at Documenta 14 in Kassel. This year, Marakatt-Labba is one of the artists presented at the Sami pavillon at the Venice Biennale.

With small stitches, Marakatt-Labba evokes the history and mythology of the Sami people, as well as stories of colonialism, state-supported racism and political strife. After decades of protesting her people's rights through art, she is now facing another struggle: the fight against climate change. Marakatt-Labba's family consists of reindeer herders and the film depicts how climate change affects the family's work. Will it be possible for her son to carry on the family tradition?

Historja Broderi for Sapmi Still 2

In conversation

Britta Marakatt-Labba (b. 1951) is a Sami-Swedish textile artist, painter and graphic artist who mainly works with embroidery, textiles, watercolour and lithography. In her works, she reflects upon Sami history and culture and political aspects such as ecology, climate and feminism.

Egil Pedersen (b. 1976) is a Sami director and screenwriter educated at the Norwegian Film School. In 2021, he made the satirical short film Koftepolitiet, currently on view at the Autumn Exhibition at Kunstnernes Hus. After film school, he directed 18 music videos, around 15 short films, documentary series and over 40 advertising and commissioned films. In 2023, Pedersen will debut as a screenwriter and director on the first ever Sami teen movie.

About the filmmaker

Thomas Jackson (b. 1976) is a Swedish director and screenwriter. His films were presented at the Berlin Film Festival, Toronto Hot Docs, CPH: DOX in Copenhagen and the Tokyo Film Festival. He has also worked at SVT with programs such as Kobra and Jill's veranda.

See also