In Mánnu, the yoik by sami musician Ánnámáret according to her is about how the moon can take power over the viewer, putting them in danger and a state that cannot be escaped but must be confronted. On dark nights, one can imagine the Staalo, evil spirits in the indigenous sami mythology, walking in the northern forests -or wandering in the minds of people. The yoik is accompanied by the music of finnish musicians Ilkka Heinonen (jouhikko – finnish bowed lyre) and Turkka Inkilä (electronic music). The lyrics of the track simply translate as: ”Moon – I surrender”.
The video travels in both the inner worlds as well as real Sápmi landscapes, envisioned from both a human and a bird’s perspective. The work continues the long-standing collaboration between Viitahuhta, Ánnámáret, Heinonen and Inkilä and the series of video works created during that collaboration.
Credit List
- Directed, filmed and edited by: Marja Viitahuhta
- Music performed and arranged by: Ánnámáret (vocals), Ilkka Heinonen (jouhikko), Turkka Inkilä (electronics)
- Yoik composition and lyrics: Ánnámáret
- Music produced by: Turkka Inkilä
- Music mixed by: Kaj Mäki-Ullakko
- Music mastered by: Jaakko Viitalähde
- Music track from album: Ánnámáret: Nieguid duovdagat
- Music published by: Uksi Productions
- Video production: Ánnámáret
- Thank you: Families and loved ones, Tomi Vartiainen, Saami council, Sámi Education Institute, Saami parliament of Finland
- This work has been created with funding from: Arts Promotion Centre Finland and Alfred Kordelin Foundation
Mánnu has been exhibited / screened in:
- Láđasmánnu, Studio Mustanapa, Rovaniemi, 1.7. – 25.7.2023
- Niegut, Poriginal gallery, Pori, 28.1. – 14.2.2023
- Vaft – Video Art Festival Turku, 2.-5.11.2023, where it was selected in the opening screening ”Kaikkeus”
- Mánnu was also selected as one of the five audience favourites of Vaft
- Oudon äärellä, media art for kids, curated by students of Annantalo
- While we forget, a group exhibition with Azar Saiyar and Ida Palojärvi at Kurantvisningsrom, Tromsö, Norway, 24.8. – 8.9. 2019
- Skabmagovat, Inari, 27.1. – 6.2.2022
- Maoriland Film Festival, 15. – 19.3.2023
Watch
A preview of Mánnu can be watched at the archive of AV-Arkki or below via Vimeo
