Vuoiŋŋat (Spirits) is a cameraless animation which brings to life the 1839 drawings of northern lights by French illustrator Louis Bévalet, drawn in the Alta region in Sápmi. This digital space is filled by the sound of the indigenous Sámi musician Ánnámáret yoiking the homeless spirits – Vuoiŋŋat – and her luohti is accompanied by Ilkka Heinonen’s jouhikko (karelian bowed lyre) and electronic music by Turkka Inkilä.
The work is dedicated to the memory of the Sámi ancestors who were exhumed from their graves in burial grounds in Sápmi approximately 100–150 years ago in the name of research carried out for racist reasons. Some of the remains have only recently been reburied in Sápmi.
Vuoiŋŋat is part of a long-term collaboration by the four-member team, which has produced a series of moving image works, two music albums, and performs live concerts together. The group is initiated and convened by Ánnámáret.
Credits
- Directed, filmed and edited by: Marja Viitahuhta
- Music performed and arranged by: Ánnámáret (luohti / yoiking), Ilkka Heinonen (karelian bowed lyre aka jouhikko), Turkka Inkilä (electronics)
- Luohti composition and lyrics: Ánnámáret
- Arrangement: Turkka Inkilä, Ilkka Heinonen and Ánnámáret
- Music produced by: Turkka Inkilä
- Video produced by: Marja Viitahuhta and Ánnámáret
- Recording and mixing: Kaj Mäki-Ullakko
- Music mastered by: Virtalähde Mastering
- Music track from album: Ánnámáret: Bálvvosbáiki
- Music published by: Uksi Productions
- Thank you: Families and loved ones
- This work has been created with funding from: Arts Promotion Centre Finland, Kone foundation, Avek
- Image source for the archive drawings: Nordlys nord for Bossekop, 6 January 1839, 6:27 p.m. / Northern Lights by Alta, observation 16 January 1839, 10:05 p.m. / Northern Lights by Alta, observation 19 January 1839, 7:40 p.m. / Drawings: Louis Bevalet, Prints: Sigismond Himely, Publisher: Arthus-Bertrand & Co, Photos: Nasjonalmuseet / Ivarsøy, Dag Andre
Watch
You can watch a teaser of Vuoiŋŋat via Vimeo below. Vuoiŋŋat is also distributed by AV-Arkki.
Vuoiŋŋat has been exhibited at
– Kesäsade (Summer rain) group exhibition at Helsinki Kunsthalle, 17.5. – 3.8.2025, Helsinki
and screened at
– Ji.hlava IDFF, international premiere
– Minimalen, Trondheim
– Docpoint, Helsinki
– Atlanta Experimental FF
– Silhouette Open air FF, Paris
– Open Air Weiterstadt
– Viborg Animation festival, Denmark
– Minikino, Bali
– FAF Fredrikstad
– Oulu MVF
– BISFF, Peking
Awards:
- Best Nordic Art Film Award, Minimalen, Trondheim, 2026
- Best Experimental Film, Minikino Filmweek, Bali, Indonesia, 2026
