Downtown Oslo was once again the scene of howling sirens, flashing blue lights, armed soldiers and terrified, injured people running for their lives during the weekend. It was all part of the filming for a new Netflix production that brought back bad memories for more than a few passersby.
“I think this is much too early,” one of them told state broadcaster NRK on its nightly nationwide newscast Dagsrevyen on Saturday. Many others have criticized and protested against the film, entitled simply Norway, on earlier occasions, while its producers insist they’re trying to be as sensitive as possible.
Newspaper Aftenposten was among Norwegian media outlets reporting how everyone in the vicinity of the downtown government complex that was bombed on July 22, 2011 were faced with a reminder of that tragic afternoon when eight people were killed and scores injured. Another 69 people were killed when the ultra right-wing Norwegian terrorist moved on to the island of Utøya where he carried out a massacre at a Labour Party youth camp. The film is based on a book about the terrorist and his attacks by Norwegian author Åsne Seierstad.
Members of the film crew didn’t want to answer questions about their operation, referring to a short statement from the producers, in which they again claimed it was important for them to conduct their work in a respectful and correct manner. The film has won state funding and various Norwegian emergency services took part in Saturday’s filming. Director Paul Greengrass, who’s also directed Jason Bourne films, was on hand and speaking with actors and stand-ins during the action this weekend. The film is due to be distributed through Netflix and thus made available to an international audience.
newsinenglish.no staff
