In the near future, Norway is occupied by Russia on behalf of the European Union, due to the fact that the newly elected environmental friendly Norwegian government has stopped the all important oil- and gas-production in the North Sea.
PM Berg has been hiding out in a foreign national's residence from the Russians. Things don't go according to plan, and Berg ends up in a helicopter being taken to a place that might lead to his ...
Djupvik is evicted from the Russian HQ by Sidorova's harsher successor. PM Berg attempts to relocate the illegal Russians, which Moscow won't take back, to Arctic Spitzbergen, but Russian fighters ...
The EU interprets the missile downing of a Finnish fighter aircraft as an attack on the EU and votes on a resolution for Russia to exit Norway. They also want Anita to stand down.
Academy Award winner Marlee Matlin reveals how she felt the first time she ever saw a deaf actress on television and discusses the importance of authentic representation on screen.
In the near future, Norway is occupied by Russia on behalf of the European Union, due to the fact that the newly elected environmental friendly Norwegian government has stopped the all important oil- and gas-production in the North Sea.
The series caused outrage in Russia, and the Russian ambassador to Norway claimed it was an outrage that the Russian Federation was painted as an aggressor. Even though the series producers emphasised that the plot was all based on fiction, the ambassador claimed in September 2015 that this could damage Russian-Norwegian relations in real life. See more »
For most Scandinavians the significant other in geopolitical terms is neighboring Russia, a country that is represented in a variety of books and TV series in recent years. "Occupied" (original title: "Okkupert") is a bold production based on an idea by the super-star of Nordic crime fiction, Jo Nesbø and it narrates the, rather frightening, tale of Norway becoming a Russian colony when the Norwegian Prime Minister announces to the world that the country will stop the oil business in order to turn to more eco-friendly energy sources such as thorium. There is an immediate reaction from both the EU and Russia, demanding the restoration of oil and gas production needed for their countries.
The Prime Minister, Jesper Berg (Henrik Mestad), seems to be a rather naive, idealist politician who wants to avoid conflict at any cost and proves to be the most appropriate frontman for the Russian occupational committee, governed by the iron lady, Irina Sidorova (Ingeborga Dapkunaite) who is the Russian ambassador in Oslo. Hans-Martin Djupvik (Eldar Skar) is an agent for the Norwegian secret police who is torn as he has to choose between the devotion to his countrymen and the legal duty of keeping the order as it is. There are multiple protagonists in "Okkupert" except of the above, though the three already mentioned are perhaps the most important ones in terms of plot. Soon after the Russians establish themselves as a masked occupational force in Norway, the first violent reactions are materialized and an extremist group called "Fritt Norge" ("Free Norway") takes responsibility for a number of terrorist acts.
The story moves forward in a frenetic pace which leaves no time for much thought on plausibility issues and the audience is captivated to the story from the first episode. As it is often a fact, the Russians are portrayed in a rather negative light, aggressive imperialists who are ready to do whatever is necessary to prolong the status-quo that the European energy crisis created. Sidorova is illustrated as a cunning and cynical individual who thinks that she owns Norway and the Norwegian Parliament and politicians are nothing more than puppets in her hands to exploit. It should be noted that Dapkunaite does a remarkable job in her role, her facial expressions expressing her cruel nature. Furthermore, Ane Dahl Torp gives a subtle, measured performance as a restaurant owner on the verge of bankruptcy who is finally saved by the newcoming wealthy Russian clientele.
"Occupied" has made two seasons so far and there is a third season coming in 2020. Hopefully the first episodes will resolve the cliffhangers from season 2 and prove to be even better than the first two which are of the same quality and entertainment value. f you haven't already discovered this series, you should check it out as soon as possible and you won't regret it.
5 of 5 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful to you?
| Report this
For most Scandinavians the significant other in geopolitical terms is neighboring Russia, a country that is represented in a variety of books and TV series in recent years. "Occupied" (original title: "Okkupert") is a bold production based on an idea by the super-star of Nordic crime fiction, Jo Nesbø and it narrates the, rather frightening, tale of Norway becoming a Russian colony when the Norwegian Prime Minister announces to the world that the country will stop the oil business in order to turn to more eco-friendly energy sources such as thorium. There is an immediate reaction from both the EU and Russia, demanding the restoration of oil and gas production needed for their countries.
The Prime Minister, Jesper Berg (Henrik Mestad), seems to be a rather naive, idealist politician who wants to avoid conflict at any cost and proves to be the most appropriate frontman for the Russian occupational committee, governed by the iron lady, Irina Sidorova (Ingeborga Dapkunaite) who is the Russian ambassador in Oslo. Hans-Martin Djupvik (Eldar Skar) is an agent for the Norwegian secret police who is torn as he has to choose between the devotion to his countrymen and the legal duty of keeping the order as it is. There are multiple protagonists in "Okkupert" except of the above, though the three already mentioned are perhaps the most important ones in terms of plot. Soon after the Russians establish themselves as a masked occupational force in Norway, the first violent reactions are materialized and an extremist group called "Fritt Norge" ("Free Norway") takes responsibility for a number of terrorist acts.
The story moves forward in a frenetic pace which leaves no time for much thought on plausibility issues and the audience is captivated to the story from the first episode. As it is often a fact, the Russians are portrayed in a rather negative light, aggressive imperialists who are ready to do whatever is necessary to prolong the status-quo that the European energy crisis created. Sidorova is illustrated as a cunning and cynical individual who thinks that she owns Norway and the Norwegian Parliament and politicians are nothing more than puppets in her hands to exploit. It should be noted that Dapkunaite does a remarkable job in her role, her facial expressions expressing her cruel nature. Furthermore, Ane Dahl Torp gives a subtle, measured performance as a restaurant owner on the verge of bankruptcy who is finally saved by the newcoming wealthy Russian clientele.
"Occupied" has made two seasons so far and there is a third season coming in 2020. Hopefully the first episodes will resolve the cliffhangers from season 2 and prove to be even better than the first two which are of the same quality and entertainment value. f you haven't already discovered this series, you should check it out as soon as possible and you won't regret it.