Speaking of expanding forms, another addition to Mattima is the director-producer duo – Eili Bråstad Johannessen and Helene Eggen. They are working on a new artistic A/V installation and film project Ultima Thule. This is what producer Helene says about it:

“Ultima Thule revolves around an intense and loving meeting between two women. The story is set in the present time, but it references the 17th century’s witch hunts. Through an experimental form, with music and dance, it focuses on the position of women and minorities in society – now and throughout history.

The liberating queer love theme stands in contrast to the witch hunts, but points out women’s struggle to live life on their own terms. Back in the day, the witches were accused of gathering, influencing each other, and gaining strength through unity, as do the characters in the film. They become a representation of the modern portrayal of the witch – a feminist icon, a symbol of women’s liberation – a woman who is free from the expectations of traditional gender roles and patriarchy.

Eili redefines what a film with a witch theme can be, and takes the witch figure seriously. The film’s feminist, queer focus combined with the underlying witch theme, as a symbol of exclusion and liberation, is what makes this project so strong, relevant, and important.“

We are very inspired to see all the work they are putting into their project. The film is so far supported with grants from the NNFS as well as funding from The Sámi Parliament of Norway.