Search Film, Company, People...

JOIK, CATCHING LUOHTI

By Elisabeth RASMUSSEN, Anna ANDERSEN, Catherine YRISARRI

Female director - Pre-Production 2024

Joik, Catching Luohti, follows musician Israel Nebeker as he uncovers his severed Sámi roots. Fueled by the desire to reclaim what his family lost in the colonization process, Israel travels to Sápmi where he connects with Sámi culture bearers to understand the missing pieces of himself.

- Year of production
- 2024
- Genres
- Female director, Art - Culture, Documentary
- Countries
- NORWAY, USA
- Languages
- ENGLISH
- Budget
- 0.6 - 1 M$
- Duration
- 90 mn
- Director(s)
- Elisabeth RASMUSSEN, Anna ANDERSEN, Catherine YRISARRI
- Writer(s)
- Anna ANDERSEN, Catherine YRISARRI, Elisabeth RASMUSSEN
- Cast
- Israel NEBEKER, Royal NEBEKER, Sara Marielle GAUP BEASKA, Ante Mikkel GAUP
- Producer(s)
- Elisabeth RASMUSSEN (Wonderline Productions)
- Synopsis
- "Joik, Catching Luohti" chronicles a multi-generational family secret unearthed through the power of dreams, art, and music. It poses the question: Can music be a vessel for something deeper, recalling our origins and ancestors?
  
  Father and son, Royal and Israel Nebeker, believed themselves to be Norwegian, until inexplicable events stirred questions about their heritage. A renowned painter, Royal’s prophetic dreams depicted in his art portrayed the Sámi people before he knew of his lineage, while Israel studying at the music conservancy felt drawn to joik, the sacred song of the Sámi.
  
  Serendipitous encounters in Norway revealed their true Sámi ancestry, unveiling a legacy of repression by Scandinavian governments that caused Royal’s grandmother to immigrate to the United States and deny her heritage. Later Royal, unaware of his indigenous roots, found solace among the Chinook of the Pacific Northwest in his hometown of Astoria, ironically decimated by Norwegian settlers.
  
  "Joik, Catching Luohti" centers on musician Israel Nebeker's quest for identity and family after his father's passing, exploring the ripple effects of cultural severance and seeking reconnection with Sámi heritage, echoing through generations.
  
  Upon landing in Norway, Israel meets famous joikers, Sara Marielle Gaup Beaska and her father, Ánte Mikkel Gaup. Retracing his father Royal's footsteps after his passing, Israel joins Sara and Ante on an odyssey across Norway and Sápmi to understand the true nature of joik and to find answers around his severed family lines. Here is where his journey truly begins.
- Partners & financing
- NRK
  International Sámi Film Institute
- Beginning of shooting
- Aug 01, 2022
- End of shooting
- Aug 23, 2024