November 21, 2009
Published: 9 Jun 09 20:00 CET
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/19976/20090609/
Dictionary tool Double click on a word to get a translation
After nearly 100 years, Sweden may finally be poised to shutter the agency charged with censoring films deemed unsuitable for adult audiences.
External link: Statens biografbyrå - SBB (In English) »
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
A male high school teacher in Skövde, western Sweden, has been arrested and charged with a string of sexual offences including child rape. READ »
Liberal party leader Jan Björklund has rallied members during a speech at the party conference in Växjö calling for lower taxes, developments in nuclear power production and for Sweden to adopt the euro as its currency. READ (9 COMMENTS) »
Two sisters are claiming damages from a firm of funeral directors after their father's coffin was plunged ungracefully into a grave by undertakers unsteady on their feet. READ »
Two North Korean diplomats are being held on suspicion of trying to smuggle 230,000 cigarettes from Russia into Sweden. READ (11 COMMENTS) »
Local politicians who previously voiced their disapproval at a move to house asylum seeker children in Vellinge look set to sign an agreement to invite more children to reside in the municipality in the future. READ (15 COMMENTS) »
A Liberal Party proposal to make English language learning obligatory in schools from the first grade has been slammed by members of the Swedish Academy who view it as an "unnecessary reinforcement of the status of English.” READ (48 COMMENTS) »
Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt has announced that Belgian Prime Minister Herman van Rompuy will be the first permanent President of the European Council following negotiations in Brussels on Thursday evening. READ (20 COMMENTS) »
A heavily pregnant young woman was raped in her home on the outskirts of Stockholm late on Thursday afternoon. READ »
Happy name day to me. No, not Blatte Day (yet) »
"Hey all you Elizabeths out there. Today (November 19 if you’re reading another day) is our name day. Happy Elizabeth Day. (Or Elisabeth or Elisabet as you are more likely to be if you are Swedish) So what’s a name day (if you haven’t already clicked on the Wiki link), it’s “a tradition in many countries..." READ »
Jobs - in Sweden, in English
Get your career on track with our job listings from Sweden's top employers.
Property - renting or buying in Sweden
Navigating the minefield of renting or buying an apartment or house in Sweden.
Weather
"There is no bad weather, just bad clothes," say the Swedes. Here's the forecast for everyone else.
Introducing...
Every week The Local serves up a spicy helping of Swedish celebrity for your delectation.
Stockholm Syndrome
Tales of crazy Swedish classes, hamfisted attempts to understand - and explain - real Swedes, and varied experiences of fellow foreigners gathered for your amusement.
Register now for:
> Free use of noticeboard
> Special discounts
> Weekly news roundup
> Unlimited use of discuss
69 jobs in Sweden, in English
21 new jobs this week
0 new jobs today
Your comments about this article:
Sweden banned the Cannibal Holocaust in '84 due to its extreme gore and violence and because several animals were killed live on screen. It's a decision I completely agree with. The hardcore gore fans can still find it online or overseas but it's better if it's not available to the general public.
Instead of distorting (cutting scenes) , even if these scenes are not suitable for some age groups, it is better not to show the whole movie on the cinema or TV.
I would though appreciate some kind of "tags", declaring if the film offers (extreme) violence, sex, etc. It would be a marketing thing, as it would attract the public enjoying that kind of film, and also help people who don't think that e.g. violence is enjoyable.
I wonder how many other countries do this? !!
Do the film companies simply release borderline material and hope that its acceptable, until such time as the police come knocking on their door?
The correlation is not a myth. You're in denial.
You mean to imply Sweden is Utopian? *wink*
That aside, Swedes are some of the most open minded and aware people I've personally come across. As an American, I have have seen what too much media violence does to people. I don't suggest we censor anything though, people have a right to choose what they see - but just remember not everyone can handle it. Further, it is a cultural issue, I personally believe Swedes can handle it - and in fact have been, they see plenty of violence and probably do their fair share of renting or purchasing films from tradera and ebay with plenty of violence and sex.
Furthermore, Swedes debate well and tackle many subjects that are heated, violent, and taboo - and they do it with finesse. Just because they are not loud and obnoxious "get in your face" vikings (ahem Americans) doesn't mean they are childish - childlike, possibly, but with smarts and yes, class.
Censorship aside, I find your summing up of the Swedes interesting. As a caveat most of my following statement is a gross generalisation:
Personally I don't find Swedes open minded at all, although they would like to be. I find them to be secretly judgmental and envious - although they try not to show it. This is more prevalent in the young but it is still noticable to me.
I find it charming.