Norwegian Democrazy

Norwegian Democrazy, which screened as part of the 2024 Hot Docs Film Festival, examines the boundaries of free speech in Norway by focusing its lens on one controversial figure. Directors Fabien Greenberg and Bård Kjøge Rønning follow Lars Thorsen, the head of a group he calls SIAN (Stop the Islamization of Norway).

Lars, his girlfriend Fanny Bråten, and a handful of others spend their days visiting cities and towns in Norway. Lars generally sets up shop in a public square and starts spouting off various “statistics” and other hate-filled views that fuel his hatred for Muslims. He’ll shout his slogans, debate other citizens and usually ends his time there by burning a Quran. He’s a blend of confidence and ignorance, spouting off his views but stumbling when he can’t actually find the “proof” among the hundreds of documents on his computer.

This is where the limits of free speech come in. A democracy should allow for a free-flowing exchange of thoughts and ideas. In a perfect world, that can propel policy changes and keep government accountable to the citizens, but is there a line in a society where protecting pure hate speech is corrosive to a society? Does allowing the speech hurt a society or does it expose those who have such vile views rather than allowing them to remain in the shadows and behind the scenes?

We also meet Axel, a college-aged activist who often counter-protests at Thorsen’s appearances and at one point sits down with Lars and Fanny, where we see the couple’s views aren’t just political and religious but fuelled with white supremacist beliefs as well.

Norwegian Democrazy could have shown us Thorsen and his crew at a distance, but it embeds us in their activities. When we see clips of groups like this on the news, it can create an abstract impression, but when you see them eating sandwiches at roadside convenience store, packing their van up, or making breakfast before heading out, you realize that these people aren’t some image that disappears after the news broadcast is over. They’re a neighbour, a co-worker, or that relative you can’t stand at the holidays and that makes it more chilling.

Norwegian Democrazy premieres at Hot Docs on May 2nd, 2024. If you can’t see it there, keep an eye out for it at the venues and services where you find documentaries.