Surprise. That’s what everyone expresses after the screening of the Gothenburg Film Festival’s opening film, Norwegian Eirik Svensson’s unpleasant and exciting war depiction “Before Darkness”. Not about the film, but about the speech Minister of Culture Parisa Liljestrand (M) gave just before the screening.
She was visibly indignant. Maybe over the roast at the Guldbaggegala a few weeks ago? She said, among other things, that former ministers of culture wanted to be the industry’s best friend, but made it clear that she was not interested in being appreciated at galas and festivals. She also talked about what she announced at the press conference earlier in the day: the additional directive to the film investigation to stop illegal IP TV.
The industry surprised
Already there, the film industry – on site in Gothenburg for the annual film political summit – raised eyebrows. The questions on everyone’s lips: why didn’t she make the film policy statement at the film policy meeting, to which the Minister of Culture was invited, and why did she leave the festival in a hurry afterwards, without the opportunity for discussion, debate, dialogue?
And, is she angry at the Swedish film industry?
We have no answers to that, but the fact that the Ministry of Culture sent out a press release that the Minister of Culture is visiting the Jewish congregation on Friday for a viewing of Gothenburg’s synagogue, and in connection with the visit inaugurating Gothenburg’s film festival, gives a hint.
SVT Kulturnyheterna has sought the Minister of Culture, but she has declined participation in an interview.