The new Norwegian television series Okkupert (Occupied) receives harshs criticism from Russia and Russia expert in Norway. The series, created by renowned Norwegian crime author Jo Nesbø, tells a fictitious story about Norway being occupied by Russia.
Bjorn Nistad, professor in Russian history of ideas tells Dagbaldet that the series is extremely dangerous and destructive.
– I think this is terribly dangerous. Russia is a big neighbor to have a good relationship. This is mockery of 2,000 Russian soldiers who died during the liberation of Finnmark of Norway during the world war II, against all Russians living in Norway, and Russians who are married to Norwegians. I get upset that they make such a series, said Nistad to Dagbladet last week.
Russia’s embassy in Norway also reacts to the series.
“Although the creators of the TV series were at pains to stress that the plot is fictitious and allegedly has nothing to do with reality, the film shows quite specific countries, and Russia, unfortunately, was given the role of an aggressor,” reads the statement, quoted by the Russian news agency TASS.
“It is certainly regretful that in the year when the 70th anniversary of the victory in the second world war is celebrated, the series’ creators decided to scare Norwegian viewers with a non-existing threat from the East in the worst Cold War traditions, as if they had forgotten about the Soviet Army’s heroic contribution to liberation of Northern Norway from Nazi occupants,” writes the statement.
On the other hand TV2 argues that the series is fiction, and that they are surprised by the reactions from the Russian authorities and Nistad.
– This is fiction and not any attempt at being a documentary. This series is primarily about Norway and Norwegians, not Russia, says TV2’s drama director, Christopher Haug to Dagbladet.
He also says that they encourage everyone, including the Russian embassy to see the series.
About The Series Okkupert (Occupied)
Set in the near future, the series tells a story about Russia occupying Norway, due to the fact that the newly elected environmental friendly Norwegian government has stopped the all important oil- and gas-production in the North Sea.
Nesbø had the original idea to “Occupied” and he started work as early as 2008. Since then, several writers contributed to the scenario.
The first episode of Occupied, is scheduled to be aired on Norway’s TV2 on Sept. 27. ‘Okkupert’ was initially proposed to the Norwegian state broadcaster NRK, but it dropped the series, with TV2 picking up the project, accordin to RT. The series has reportedly already been sold the UK, Germany, France, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Netherlands and Belgium.
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