Freemuse concerned about film censorship in the Faroe Islands – Freemuse

Image: Screenshot from Skla Scam / Skla Scam on Facebook

Freemuseis concerned aboutthe decision of the Minister of Culture oftheFaroe Islands JanisavRanaannounced on 7 December2020to stop thepublicfinancial supportofafilm, because he founditpersonally unsuitable. Despite being recommended for financingbyFilmgrunnurin, the film fundoperatingunder the ministry of culture, the filmwas rejected by the minister. FilmSkla Scam / School Scam,directedbyTki Janssonandproduced by Jonas Dali Wanger,was deemed problematic because of the language used in the production.

Censoring artists fortheir artistic expression violatestheir basic human right to freedom of expressionand is in breach of Faroe Islands international obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, saidSrirakPlipat,FreemuseExecutive Director.Artistic expression does not apply only to artworks which are regarded as positive or neutral, but also to those that aim to explore taboo topics.Weurgethe Faroe Islands authoritiestoreverse the decisionand respect artists right to freedom of expression.

According toBerlingske,commenting on hisdecision, the Minister said that: I didnt like what I saw at all. When I put my signature, its because I approve of it and say it(the movie, ed.)is great. And I could not do that with this film.The minister further reportedlyadded thathedoesnot like when people swear, and normal people do notdo it.

When I saw the response from the ministry, I had to read it again.I was just thinking, what?, the films producer Jonas Dali Wagner told Berlingske. He has now complained to the Ombudsman.

Animated seriesSkla Scamis a South Parkdark comedyinspired seriesset in a schooland is made by a17-year-oldfilmmaker.

The cultural sector and civil society are prerequisites for an educated and enlightened public, and thus an investment in democracy. Culture must be free, based on personal involvement and voluntarism.

See the article here:

Freemuse concerned about film censorship in the Faroe Islands - Freemuse