“An engrossing chronicle” (Cineuropa) — this December, see the riveting true-life story of two Swedish journalists, 438 Days/ 438 Dagar (Sweden, 2019; dir. Jesper Ganslandt) in New Nordic Cinema at Scandinavia House!
On the eve of June 28, 2011, Swedish journalists Martin Schibbye (Gustaf Skarsgård) and Johan Persson (Matias Varela) put everything at stake by illegally crossing the border from Somalia into Ethiopia, intent on reporting how the ruthless hunt for oil had affected the population of the isolated and conflict-ridden Ogaden region. Five days later they lay wounded in the desert sand, shot and captured by the Ethiopian army — but when their initial reportage died, another story began.
Adapted from the 2015 novel about the journalists’ experience of the nightmarish ordeal that followed — over the course of a Kafka-esque trial exposing the ruthless control of mining and oil operations based in Western Africa — 438 Days highlights the importance of freedom of speech, and of protecting the independent press reporting on abuses of power throughout the world. (124 min. In English and Swedish with English subtitles)
Film screenings will take place as a 3 PM matinee and 7 PM evening showing. Tickets to this event must be purchased in advance online at the link above; film screenings will take place in Victor Borge Hall. All attendees are required to present proof of vaccination upon arrival in compliance with New York State government; read more here. Attendees are required to follow all Scandinavia House safety protocols, including wearing masks during the program and observing social distancing rules in signage. Please read our full safety protocols here.
About the Director
Jesper Ganslandt (b. 1978, Falkenberg, Sweden) shot his feature debut Falkenberg Farewell in 2003 with family and friends acting as themselves, which premiered at Venice International Film Festival and Toronto Film Festival along with his later films The Ape (2009) and Blondie (2012).
He starred with his son Hunter in his 2018 film Jimmie. His first English speaking feature starring Daniel Radcliffe, Beast of Burden, also premiered in 2018.