348 dagar

 348 dagar 2019

• Director: Jesper Granslandt
• Based on the book by Martin Schibbye and Johan Persson
• Cast: Gustaf Skarsgård, Matias Varela, Faysal Ahmed, Stephen Jennings, Josefin Neldén, Sivuyile Ngesi, Philip Zandén
• Personal “oh yeah him/her” reaction, i.e. have seen this actor in:
• Gustaf Skarsgård – Cleo
• Josefin Neldén – Gräns
• Sivuyile Ngesi – Invictus
• Philip Zandén – Snoken, Ronja Rövardotter and I’ve seen him on stage as Henry Higgins in Pygmalion
• Why? I followed the true story in the news.
• Seen: 3 October 2021.      

       Two Swedish journalists, Martin Schibbye (Skarsgård) and Johan Persson (Varela) are investigating Lundin Petroleum in Somalia. It is revealed that the conservative foreign secretary Carl Bildt (Zandén) was on the board of the company when it was first exposed that Lundin committed crimes against civilians in their exploitation of oil. Johan and Martin are given tips by the rebels of sources in Ethiopia, and they cross the border illegally. Their guides show them the destruction and murder of villages by the military.

       They are attacked. Some of the rebels are killed. Both Martin and Johan are shot and captured. Their 438 days of imprisonment as terrorists begin.

       The conservative Swedish government does more to cover its own tracks than to help them.

       Even though we know the outcome, having followed the news while it happened – after 438 days they are released – we had no way of knowing these details. Schibbye and Perssons book is the basis of the film which is well-made and well-acted. And even though we know the ending, it is exciting.

       Schibbye and Persson continue to work for the freedom of the press and to expose criminal practices by governments and companies. 

 Till svenskarna som läser detta – ni har säkert också följt händelserna på nyheterna. Se filmen. Den är bra.

4* of 5.