New Scandinavian Series Depicts Russian Invasion of Norway

[BlueMTexpat]

Evidently the making of this series has caused some serious repercussions with Russia. I hadn't really noticed the hullaballoo earlier. But as I was looking at tonight's TV offerings (RTS in Switzerland), I discovered that the first two episodes will be shown here.

For more info, here's an October article from The Guardian: http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/oct/02/tv-drama-russian-invasion-occupied-premiere-norway It will be shown in the original language, which I presume is Norwegian, with French subtitles.

The scenario of Occupied, a Scandinavian thriller that premieres in Norway this weekend (Sunday 4 October), and in western Europe during the autumn, is likely to tap into fears of Russian aggression – and perhaps, according to critics, inflame them.

Based on an idea by the bestselling Norwegian crime writer Jo Nesbø, the series imagines that an environmentalist government has come to power in Norway and ceased to supply Europe with North Sea oil, forcing the EU to call on Russia to come to its aid.

This is a big-budget production with backing from Arte, the Franco-German TV network, and produced by the Swedish studio behind the Wallander TV series and the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo movies.

Russia has condemned the series for pitting Scandinavians against Russians “in the worst traditions of the cold war”. Although its creators claim that it is obviously fiction, the global context has been upended since Occupied was originally conceived – Russia’s occupation of Crimea last year and the civil war in east Ukraine have fuelled the worst crisis in relations with Moscow for a generation.

Recent Scandinavian series have been excellent. I expect that Netflix is likely bidding on this for streaming, so US Netflix viewers may be able to see it soon.

[malthaussen]

1. Well, "The Russians are Coming, the Russians are Coming"

was a funny enough flick. Sound like this series will not be comedy, though.

-- Mal

[BlueMTexpat]

4. It's supposed to be based on one

of Jo Nesbo's crime novels. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jo_Nesb%C3%B8

"Scandinavian noir" is quite popular in Europe these days. http://nordicnoir.tv/

BBC2 has been showing the series "River" which is set in the UK and features Swedish actor Stellan Skarsgård. BBC4 will begin showing Season 3 of "The Bridge" which involves detectives/police procedures from both Sweden and Denmark on 21 Nov. Currently BBC4 is finishing up the second season of "Arne Dahl," another Swedish detective series. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jan_Arnald

The Danish series "The Killing" was a smash hit in Europe for three seasons, with a lot of people still hoping that they'll bring it back for a fourth.

When the Beeb airs these series, they usually do so in the original language, with English subtitles. That doesn't seem to put viewers off at all.

************
This should probably have been posted in Entertainment. But I figured it would be nice to have a change from the political craziness for a bit.

[1939]

12. What was the TV special about a Russian occupied US?

It starred Kris Kristofferson and made an East German officer the real villian while the KGB agent was one of the heroes.

As I remember, it was about three or four parts.

[Newsjock]

2. 2-minute trailer

(update: Now with English subtitles)

https://vimeo.com/137593196

[BlueMTexpat]

5. Interesting. Thanks for posting.

But I can't seem to get that clip here.

[AngryAmish]

3. They probably would not want to do that again.

[petronius]

6. Rød Daggry? Jerver!!

And it would be nice for Netflix to grab this; more Scandinavian series would be great (after Wallander, The Bridge, ...)

[BlueMTexpat]

7. I'm sure that they will.

They know a good thing when they see it, LOL.

[hunter]

8. It sounds like something the CIA or the Koch Brothers would produce.

[BlueMTexpat]

9. How so?

It's a fictional series based on a crime novel and its prime goal is entertainment. Please lighten up.

Please also realize that comments such as yours are generally perceived as US-centric, as if countries other than the US are simply not capable of knowing and/or understanding their own interests.

If you read the article, you will also see this:

For many in the Nordic countries, the possibility of Russian aggression seems an all too clear and present danger. Governments are ramping up their military spending in step with their rhetoric.

Sweden’s military has been instructed to call up thousands of reservists for refresher training “to increase the operational effectiveness of our units in response to the changing security situation in Europe”, said Maj Gen Karl Engelbrektson, an army spokesman. Sweden’s home guard, which mobilises some 22,000 volunteer reservists, says it has seen a large increase in people wanting to join since the Ukraine-Russia conflict broke out.

There is certainly a difference between monsters like the Kochs who deliberately contrive crises to create paranoia (even after they themselves benefited from doing business with Stalin's Russia) and inhabitants of countries in near proximity who have actually known war and occupation within memory.

Is this series paranoid and or right-wing leaning? Perhaps. I'll know more after I've seen some of it. But it is hardly something for an American who has never been in such a situation - and certainly one who hasn't seen it - to make an informed judgment on.

[Newsjock]

10. Here's the entire first episode

Posted on the website of the French channel that co-produced it and will be airing it this week.
In Norwegian with French subtitles, but about 15% of the dialogue is in English anyway.

http://www.arte.tv/magazine/occupied/fr/occupied-lepisode-01-en-avant-premiere-occupied

I found it rather intriguing, not really with much of an ideological bias one way or the other, at least so far. There's one real tea party type in the fictional Norwegian cabinet, though!

[BlueMTexpat]

11. Thanks for the link.

The Swiss channel RTS1 showed the first two episodes last Friday. Episodes 3 & 4 will be shown on Friday, 20 Nov.

I'm not sure whether this link will work in the US. http://www.rts.ch/play/tv But if it does, you might be able to stream those two episodes in the US. We have the ability to stream programs directly from the RTS website for up to a week after their original showing. Go to where it says " Emissions A a Z" and go to "O" for "Occupied" - right now it says that both episodes are available for two more days.

If the link works and you have the Chromecast gadget (costs around $35-40) installed on your TV, have digital TV and wi-fi, and are able to download the Chromecast app (it's free) on your computer or other device, you should be able to watch it on your own TV. If you already have some other streaming setup that could work too. Otherwise, you should be able to stream from your computer or tablet.

As you say, some dialogue is in English; most is in Norwegian and the subtitles are French. There doesn't seem to be an ideological bias yet - the plot is almost more science fiction than crime. Think about it: Russia is occupying Norway on behalf of and in coordination with the EU and the US has left NATO!! How likely is either ever to happen?

The "crime" and mystery will likely evolve from events that occur at the end of the second episode.

It is definitely a thriller and so far has been fun to watch. Enjoy!