Over the last couple of years there has been an onslaught of drama series and films coming from Scandinavia. Denmark have provided the exceedingly popular series 'The Killing', and have had us all hooked on the political career of Brigitte Nyborg in Borgen. Across the Øresund strait Sweden have provided us with the brooding detective series 'Wallander' and the popular 'Millenium' film and novel series. Now BBC 4 have picked up a joint venture between Sweden and Denmark which involves the police forces of both countries working together after a severed body is discovered half in Sweden, half in Copenhagen on the Øresund Bridge. Jointly funded by Swedish and Danish producers 'The Bridge' (Or 'Bron'/'Broen' to our Scandinavian neighbours, depending on which side of the Strait you reside) is continuing in the same vein as previous Scandinavian dramas and once again has a British audience hooked. But what is it about these Scandinavian dramas that is so popular?
A cynic may wonder if Danish people wait with excitement at the chance to watch the latest subtitled episode of Silent Witness, perhaps we love these dramas simply because they are other. Scandinavia is close enough to the UK to share similar cultures, but far enough away to be different and have certain nuances that are alien and exciting to us. Something bland and boring in English sounds positively fascinating in Danish or Swedish.
I don't think this fully explains our fascination with Scandinavian dramas though, I think we love them because they are good. There is something haunting and eerie about the slow pace with which they develop. It combines all that made 'The Wire' such a great series with a bleakness that exists in Scandinavian countries. When watching 'The Bridge' it is difficult not to recall Anders Breivik. Whoever the killer is in 'The Bridge' is murdering people to highlight a perceived problem he or she has. The killer clearly feels that the murders are justified in doing this, and although I don't know yet who it is, it is clear that there is morality and careful consideration behind the cold and calculating killer. This is eerily similar to the reasons Breivik has given for the atrocities that occurred last year on Utøya. Breivik has tried to justify his actions by claiming he did them for the greater good, to spread a moral message and to prevent Muslims immigration to Norway. Much like the killer in 'The Bridge', Breivik is motivated by political beliefs.
Recalling Breivik whilst watching 'The Bridge' creates an added eeriness and sinister feeling to the series. It becomes difficult not to view certain people in Scandinavia as having a dark and brooding, yet quiet and calculating evilness whilst they operate in a bleak land. Something about Scandinavian drama is captivating us and I hope that the combination of good writing, slow build up and the Swedish, Danish and Norwegian atmosphere continues.
