Timely Norwegian Debut ‘Nipster’ Follows Wayward Teen Who Falls Under Spell of Far-Right Eco-Fascist Group

As a concerned citizen and a film enthusiast, I find “Nipster” to be a compelling and timely piece of work that sheds light on a troubling reality that is often overlooked or misrepresented. Having followed Sunniva Eir Tangvik Kveum’s journey from her short film “Rosanazi” to this feature, I am in awe of her relentless pursuit of truth and her ability to delve deep into the complexities of extremist ideologies.

A teenage girl’s search for belonging brings her under the spell of a far-right eco-fascist group in Sunniva Eir Tangvik Kveum’s timely debut feature “Nipster,” which the Norwegian filmmaker will be presenting during a showcase of upcoming Nordic projects at Helsinki’s Finnish Film Affair.

Nipster, named after a term for hipster Nazis, focuses on Chris (Saga Stenman), a 15-year-old girl struggling against a world that seems to be spiraling out of control. Yearning for companionship, she and her friend Maja decide to join a summer camp aimed at young people passionate about climate issues.

Chris starts to flourish as she becomes part of a new social circle. However, this seemingly perfect summer camp is actually a cover for an eco-fascist group, aiming to attract young, vulnerable individuals. The movie chronicles the tale of a lonely and discontent teen seeking self-value, only to discover it in a questionable environment.

Originating from Tangvik Kveum’s short film “Rosanazi,” which debuted at the Tromsø International Film Festival in 2016 and was produced by Sweden’s Carbs Film under the direction of Adam Lunenborg, the movie “Nipster” evolved. The previous film, depicting a teenage girl and her motley crew who establish a neo-Nazi group, provided insight into Europe’s youth-led far-right movement and sparked in the director a feeling that there was a more extensive narrative to be told.

Working alongside Maria Darwish, a scholar with expertise in eco-fascism, and Lasse Josephsen, a former activist from the far-right scene who now works as a journalist and researcher on the Dark Web, Tangvik Kveum started to develop a more profound comprehension of a far-right movement that has transitioned from niche alt-right forums to popular social media sites like TikTok. “It’s not at all what we expect,” she stated, drawing an analogy between her exploration and uncovering “an entirely new realm.

Delving into the cinematic world, I soon unearthed a striking revelation: what appears as a monolithic far-right movement is actually a tapestry of diverse subcultures. As I dug deeper, I uncovered that these groups can be fragmented into numerous small factions, each with its unique set of values. However, despite their differences, they all harbor the same toxic ideologies rooted in racism, fascism, and Nazism. Beneath the surface, they share an undercurrent of hate; yet, their methods for propagating this ideology vary significantly.

In the case of eco-fascists, Tangvik Kveum originally believed they disguised their agenda using a love for nature, similar to a wolf in sheep’s clothing to attract followers. However, she eventually concluded that their affection for nature was genuine. She also found that they combined this concern with old ideologies like the Nazi slogan “blood and soil,” which suggests that those born on this land are the superior people to protect it.

Eco-fascism didn’t suddenly emerge with the recent surge of the extreme right, as Director Kveum discovered. Instead, this ideology can be traced back to Madison Grant, a notable figure in American conservation during the late 1800s and early 1900s, who is frequently referred to as its originator. Eco-fascism even had supporters within Nazi Germany. Kveum explained, “People think it’s a fresh movement, but it isn’t. It’s just gaining traction because we have social media and climate anxiety.

The movie “Nipster” follows its youthful character’s journey towards maturity, but the director is particularly intrigued by the concept of radicalization. She wonders about the circumstances and conditions under which one might become radicalized, what voids in one’s life could lead to such a transformation, and the internal struggle that arises as a result – knowing that the new perspective is wrong due to its hatred, yet still choosing to follow it, until the moment when one decides to step away.

What captivates me is the journey of entering and exiting a situation, particularly the pivotal moment of departure,” she elaborated. “I believe we often oversimplify this process. Most films portray it as effortless. However, altering someone’s perspective or their perception of things isn’t straightforward. If you’re immersed in an extreme environment, it can cause significant mental turmoil.

Tangvik Kveum and producer Lunenborg plan to visit Helsinki from September 25th to 27th for Finnish Film Affair. Here, they aim to connect with sales agents, distributors, and other innovative industry contacts. Their goal is to find potential partners who can help them successfully launch their film, which is currently being finalized in post-production.

As a movie enthusiast, I understand the gravity of the project at hand. It’s not an easy feat to bring this story to life. However, I believe it takes courage to tackle such weighty subject matter. Yet, I feel we have a responsibility to shed light on this [movement] for the audience. I firmly believe that fiction can be an effective and powerful medium to achieve this.

2024-09-20 08:46

Timely Norwegian Debut ‘Nipster’ Follows Wayward Teen Who Falls Under Spell of Far-Right Eco-Fascist Group

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