The Geopolitics of Nordic Noir
The “golden age” of Scandinavian television has often been associated with Nordic Noir crime dramas, yet many of the acclaimed serials also engage with geopolitical themes such as migration, cross-border crime, military conflicts, and global terrorism. In this article, we examine the ways in which N...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Sciendo
2020-09-01
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| Series: | Nordicom Review |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.2478/nor-2020-0015 |
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| author | Dodds Klaus Hochscherf Tobias |
| author_facet | Dodds Klaus Hochscherf Tobias |
| author_sort | Dodds Klaus |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The “golden age” of Scandinavian television has often been associated with Nordic Noir crime dramas, yet many of the acclaimed serials also engage with geopolitical themes such as migration, cross-border crime, military conflicts, and global terrorism. In this article, we examine the ways in which Nordic Noir contributes to discourses on such topics. We look specifically at the dramas Okkupert [Occupied] (NRK, 2015–), Ørnen [The Eagle] (DR, 2004–2006), Nobel – fred for enhver pris [Nobel – Peace at any Cost] (NRK, 2016), and Kriger [Warrior] (Netflix, 2018–) as they explore potential threats to Scandinavian society and the Nordic welfare state through the distinct figure of the vigilante veteran. Returning soldiers, as we argue, are particularly productive of geopolitics because they are shown to be adept (even well suited) to dealing with the geopolitical uncanny. They, in fact, problematise the positive Scandinavian self-image. While Scandinavian society, as can be inferred from the dramas, has become hypocritical and complacent owing to a very high standard of living, the veterans are the only people adept at responding to threats and crises. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d62c750da8dd4e4b87ea59d0bf1d87f5 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2001-5119 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2020-09-01 |
| publisher | Sciendo |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nordicom Review |
| spelling | doaj-art-d62c750da8dd4e4b87ea59d0bf1d87f52025-02-02T15:48:50ZengSciendoNordicom Review2001-51192020-09-0141s1436110.2478/nor-2020-0015The Geopolitics of Nordic NoirDodds Klaus0Hochscherf Tobias1Department of Geography, Royal Holloway University of London, UKMedia Department, University of Applied Sciences Kiel, GermanyThe “golden age” of Scandinavian television has often been associated with Nordic Noir crime dramas, yet many of the acclaimed serials also engage with geopolitical themes such as migration, cross-border crime, military conflicts, and global terrorism. In this article, we examine the ways in which Nordic Noir contributes to discourses on such topics. We look specifically at the dramas Okkupert [Occupied] (NRK, 2015–), Ørnen [The Eagle] (DR, 2004–2006), Nobel – fred for enhver pris [Nobel – Peace at any Cost] (NRK, 2016), and Kriger [Warrior] (Netflix, 2018–) as they explore potential threats to Scandinavian society and the Nordic welfare state through the distinct figure of the vigilante veteran. Returning soldiers, as we argue, are particularly productive of geopolitics because they are shown to be adept (even well suited) to dealing with the geopolitical uncanny. They, in fact, problematise the positive Scandinavian self-image. While Scandinavian society, as can be inferred from the dramas, has become hypocritical and complacent owing to a very high standard of living, the veterans are the only people adept at responding to threats and crises.https://doi.org/10.2478/nor-2020-0015vigilantesterrorismreturning soldierspost-traumatic stress disorderptsdtelevision |
| spellingShingle | Dodds Klaus Hochscherf Tobias The Geopolitics of Nordic Noir Nordicom Review vigilantes terrorism returning soldiers post-traumatic stress disorder ptsd television |
| title | The Geopolitics of Nordic Noir |
| title_full | The Geopolitics of Nordic Noir |
| title_fullStr | The Geopolitics of Nordic Noir |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Geopolitics of Nordic Noir |
| title_short | The Geopolitics of Nordic Noir |
| title_sort | geopolitics of nordic noir |
| topic | vigilantes terrorism returning soldiers post-traumatic stress disorder ptsd television |
| url | https://doi.org/10.2478/nor-2020-0015 |
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