Historjá – Stitches for Sápmi

Britta Marakatt-Labba, originally from Lapland, brings Sami history to life through her colorful textile art. She captures it all: rich mythology, historical events, and the philosophy that nature is constantly speaking to humanity. The beating heart of this documentary is her masterpiece Historjá—a massive, 24-meter-long embroidery—yet Historjá – Stitches for Sápmi is more than just an ode to her centuries-old culture. Climate change and resource extraction pose a major threat to the indigenous way of life and the survival of reindeer herding. As intricate scenes on the tapestry blend seamlessly into snowy landscapes, the painful contrast becomes increasingly apparent; director Thomas Jackson succeeds in creating a portrait of an oppressed people in resistance that is as visually stunning as it is timely.

Historjá – Stitches for Sápmi premiered at the 2022 Göteborg Film Festival, where it was nominated for the Dragon Award for Best Nordic Documentary. That same year, in collaboration with the Venice Biennale, Britta Marakatt-Labba’s embroidery work was exhibited at the Arsenale. The following year, the film won Guldbagge Awards for both Best Documentary and Best Original Score.