The stock trading of Sindre Finnes is the inspiration for a new film – news Culture and entertainment

– It started when Sindre’s share trading became known. It just grew and grew. It was like there was no stopping, says Synnøve Hørsdal, general manager and film producer at Maipo. It is one of Norway’s largest production companies. Hørsdal tells what made them decide that they had to make a film about political scandals. Because there have been many political scandals in recent years: Habilitet. Plagiarism. Cheating with commuter housing. Inappropriate Facebook posts and stock trading. These ministers have had to leave the government because of scandals. Photo: NTB You will recognize blunders from several politicians in the film “Ingen kommentar” which will be released in cinemas next year. – The private gives an extra dimension Nevertheless, Hørsdal specifically mentions the Finnes case as a source of inspiration for the film. Why exactly that scandal? – There are several people involved in that case, and it is being uncovered step by step. Then it is so extensive, says Hørsdal and continues: – Then there is something about the situations where we get an insight into the private life of the politicians. It gives an extra dimension. This is what Erna Solberg said about the case at a press conference in September: It was last autumn that it became known that Sindre Finnes made 3,290 share transactions while his wife Erna Solberg was prime minister. Hørsdal clarifies that the film does not aim to reproduce reality completely correctly, and that it draws inspiration from several political scandals. The switch from celebrities to politicians The past year has seen several examples of political scandals being used in entertainment. The TV series “Makta” shows the power struggles in the Labor Party in the 70s. Another example is Linnéa Myhre’s podcast “Gi meg alle detailsen”. Podcaster Linnéa Myhre says she is keen to humanize the politicians in her podcast. Photo: Terje Pedersen / NTB Myhre has always told stories from popular culture in the podcast. But in the last season, she has changed the subject to political scandals. – Celebrity scandals are actually a little narrower than political scandals. You notice that people are more interested in politics. Film reviewer: – Little political satire in Norway Back to the film being made about the political scandals of recent years. While the USA and Sweden have long traditions of political satire, very few such films have been made in Norway, says film reviewer Einar Aarvig. – Perhaps it is about the trust-based Norwegian system. Where we think that there is not that big a difference between the politicians and the rest of us, he says. Film reviewer Einar Aarvig thinks it is time for more political satire. Photo: Privat Now, however, he has faith that there may be more political films. – The recent scandals with commuter housing, sneaking and master’s theses have perhaps created a need. Aarvig believes that political scandals contain some of the classic elements from a drama film: – There is, after all, betrayal and loyalty. There are some of those big “Shakesperian”, tragic elements that a political scandal, or politics itself, contains. And which is very grateful drama material. Right: – No comment The plan is that “No comment” will be published in September next year. This means that it comes around the same time as the general election. Hørsdal says they will get it out as soon as possible so that the scandals will still be perceived as current. But according to her, the politicians need not be afraid to see the film in the cinema: – No, they should be happy. They will laugh. Synnøve Hørsdal is general manager and producer at Maipo, which is behind the film. Photo: FRODE FJERDINGSTAD / FRODE FJERDINGSTAD news has asked what Erna Solberg thinks about the share case being the inspiration for a new Norwegian film. – We have no comment on this, answers Solberg’s press manager Cato Husabø Fossen about “No comment”. Sindre Finnes has not responded to our inquiries. Published 24.06.2024, at 07.19



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