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little pixie

Posted: Apr 14 2012, 04:56 PM

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The Bridge

Detectives from Denmark and Sweden are forced to work together when a body is found on a bridge between the two countries. However, further investigation reveals the corpse has a gruesome secret - and investigators Saga Noren and Martin Rohde realise the criminal they are chasing will stop at nothing to get his message across. Scandinavian crime drama, in Danish and Swedish, starring Sofia Helin and Kim Bodnia.

Starts Saturday, April 21st with first two eps on BBC4.

prophecy girl	Posted: Apr 15 2012, 11:34 AM
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little pixie

Posted: Apr 15 2012, 03:25 PM

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The Bridge: the latest Nordic noir

Erica Wagner Published at 12:01AM, April 14 2012

The new Scandi-noir thriller to take over your Saturday nights was inspired by a bridge. We visit the crime scene

We are 204m above sea level, and Christian Normand � a tall, laconic, sandy-haired Dane who would look perfectly at home standing in the prow of a Viking longship � is telling me to stand very still. It�s taken four minutes in a rattling cage of a lift to get us up here � well, nearly all the way up here. After the lift there was a narrow spiral staircase with not much of a handrail and a nice view right down should you choose to look, and then a ladder up through a hatch. And so now, here we are, on top of the northwest pylon of the �resundsbron, at 16km the longest combined road and rail bridge in Europe. Open now for a dozen years, it�s all the more remarkable because aside from its significance as a feat of engineering, it is a link between two countries. We are standing, in the clear, freezing air, under a Swedish sky, with the industrial city of Malm� in front of us; but on the other side lies Copenhagen, the ineffably fashionable Danish capital. Why am I standing still? Because if I do, I�ll see how the opposite pylons, half a kilometre distant, sway in the wind. Disconcerting? Not really.

A bridge is a living thing, always in movement. �This is not a bridge about steel and concrete; this is a bridge about people and human feelings,� said its Danish designer, engineer Georg Rotne, in a BBC radio documentary not long ago, and he�s right. I�m here because we�re about to see a demonstration of his statement in the shape of The Bridge, the latest offering in the seemingly unstoppable stream of brilliant Scandinavian dramas which are monopolising Britain�s sofa time these days.

Like The Killing, The Bridge is a crime drama with a strong female detective at its heart. It begins when the body of a woman is found in the middle of the bridge, dead centre, if you�ll forgive the pun, half of her in Sweden and half of her in Denmark; two police forces have no choice but to collaborate. Martin Rohde (Kim Bodnia) runs the Danish team; his partner on the Swedish side is Malm� cop Saga Nor�n (Sofia Helin). If you want to make comparisons to The Killing, it�s more like the second series than the first: more straight crime drama, less psychological/philosophical speculation. (And it�s harder to play spot-the-same-actor the way you could between The Killing and Borgen � thanks to a mixed Danish-Swedish cast. But when the next Swedish series comes we�ll be ready for it . . .) It�s crime drama engineered with the elegance of the Porsche 911 that Nor�n drives � with its sadistic countdown killer, there�s a tinge of Seven about it � but Helin�s Saga Nor�n gives the series a more complex feel. She might look like a blonde bombshell, but spend five minutes in her company and you�ll discover that nothing could be further from the truth.

Nor�n is asocial to the point of pathology; Swedish and Danish viewers with Asperger�s syndrome have claimed her as one of their own. Hans Rosenfeldt, the chief writer, says there was never a decision to give her a �diagnosis� � just a desire to make her different. �We didn�t want to make it like she had to choose her work over her family; she�s alone not by choice, it�s just who she is. When the show aired, we had a great response from the Asperger�s community � because yes, she�s awkward, but she�s fully functional, she has an important job, and her colleagues like her.�

When I speak to Sofia Helin she tells me it was difficult, at first, to find a way into the character: �I thought, how can I love her? But she�s different because she�s alone, but she doesn�t want to be alone. She�s tough but she doesn�t know she�s tough.� When I remark that we in Britain are struck by the strength of the string of female characters which have come out of Scandinavia, she laughs. �In Sweden, you know, it�s almost a crime, not saying you�re a feminist!� But then nothing is simple in this series: there are always two sets of rules to negotiate, not only the rules regarding the way that men and women should behave, but the way two countries must learn to interact now they have been irrevocably joined.

There�s a tendency to think of Scandinavia as one great, chilly, crime-fiction-producing entity; a joke that begins, �so Lisbeth Salander, Sarah Lund and Harry Hole walk into a bar ... � But spend any time there and you�ll see it�s rather more complicated than that.

Even the bridge�s name is a compromise: in Danish, �Oresund Bridge� is �resundsbron; in Swedish, �resunds-broen � the official name brings in a bit of both languages while being not strictly correct in either. The delightful Sanna Holmqvist, head of public relations for the bridge � who picks me up from my Copenhagen hotel and remains my companion for my all-day tour � is Swedish; she and Christian speak in English in my presence, not only, I suspect, because they are both kind and polite people, but because, frankly, it�s easier.

As I speak to Rosenfeldt I feel how the show is itself a bridge between two cultures. �What�s really fictional in the series is that Danish people should understand Swedish people and vice versa. That�s not the truth. We have problems understanding each other.� So in Sweden there are subtitles on the Danish; vice-versa in Denmark. �We discussed whether or not we should address those problems in the show, but then we thought that would be quite boring! We have it in one small moment where Martin speaks really fast in Danish, and he has to repeat himself � but that�s really it. That�s us saying to the viewers, this is where we are.�

When Rosenfeldt says �this is where we are� he means what might be described as the no-mans-land that has come to exist, thanks to the bridge, between Sweden and Denmark. Helin, who lives in Stockholm but knows the south well because her family has a house near Malm�, says of the area that �It really is neither Sweden nor Denmark because of the bridge; it�s been more and more mixed up because of the bridge. Maybe in 100 years there will be no difference between Sweden and Denmark there.� Housing is cheaper in Malm�; there are more jobs in Denmark. Even after the economic downturn, most commuting is from Sweden to Denmark. As we stand atop the tower, Christian points over to Denmark and says that if we peer very hard, we could see where his house is. He also says that if you work on the bridge and are Swedish, the salary�s quite good; if you are Danish, it�s OK.

In a sense, the series came about for similar reasons, as Rosenfeldt tells me. It�s the first true collaboration between DR, the Danish public broadcaster, and SVT, the Swedish public broadcaster. �It�s expensive doing drama; you�re always trying to find co-producers these days � Sweden�s never done anything before with Denmark on a 50/50 arrangement. This is the first with full commitment from two broadcasters, and the first bilingual series we�ve done. So our order from our broadcasters was to put it in Denmark and the south of Sweden because that�s where the funding would come from � it�s then we thought of the bridge. First of all, it�s really beautiful; and it�s actually connecting these two countries in a way that�s interesting for us to work with. It suited us very, very well.�

Rosenfeldt is delighted when I tell him that everyone I met on the bridge is thrilled with the show � especially since a second series begins filming in October. �I�m glad they�re pleased,� he laughs, �because there are some gruesome things happening on their bridge!� Jopas Wulff, who runs the Traffic Control Centre � and so who was chief liaison with the film crew � is pleased in a very practical way. �There were such beautiful views of the bridge,� he says as we stand looking at a wall of screens that give every possible view of the bridge, its roadway and the tunnel that leads to it. There are 183 fixed cameras here and 40 mobile cameras; there are sensors in the 4km-long tunnel that will alert bridge crews if you�ve broken down � there�s no escape lane, so they�ll need to get you out of there quickly. The opening scene � the finding of the body � was filmed on the only two nights in the year that the tunnel is closed for maintenance; look closely and you�ll see the traffic moving on the bridge in both directions when the body is found � another fictionalisation.

For that matter, he assures me with a half-smile, you couldn�t just switch off the lights on the bridge as the mysterious perpetrator does, even if you did hack into the computer system. Wulff, like Christian Normand, has worked at the bridge since it opened a dozen years ago; this kind of loyalty is not uncommon. �The way the bridge had a supporting role throughout the series, that was very positive,� Wulff says, dismissing the notion that a murder on the span might be bad publicity. �It also showed how easy it was to travel across � you hear people calling from Denmark, and the person they�re calling says: �Oh, I�m in Malm�. I�ll be there in ten minutes!� �

There are beautiful views of the bridge, because the bridge is beautiful. It is a cable-stayed bridge, more stiff and stable than a suspension bridge, and so better suited to the rail traffic it carries below the roadway. Often the towers of cable-stayed bridges bear an unfortunate resemblance to rugby goals (think of the second Severn crossing, that carries the M4 to and from Wales). But with the �resundsbron, the beam that binds the two pylons of each tower runs beneath the road and railway, so that the pylons rise cleanly, �like beacons�, their designer has said.

It�s only when you are on the bridge that you begin to get a sense of its immense scale. Ordinarily, there�s no foot traffic on this behemoth, but after we�d been up the pylon Christian took us down to the maintenance path that runs alongside the railway: when a train thunders past, it�s best to crouch down and keep your hands over your ears. It was easy to think, as we strode along the steel girders � the Sound glistening 57m below us � that we might stroll to the other side; but the crossing is nearly 8km long. (It�s the whole link � tunnel, approaches, bridge � that�s 16km.) Bridges speak to us because it is our human instinct to close the gap � between countries, land masses, one another. It�s why a bridge is a fitting, fascinating metaphor for a crime drama that manages not only to tell a gripping story, but make its viewers consider what maintains or diminishes the boundaries between us. The day before visiting the bridge I�d been to the National Museum in Copenhagen: its exhibition on Danish prehistory is stunning. Just before you exit the gallery, there are oak beams from a bridge built over Raxning meadows around AD800. The bridge was 700m long, built from 1,200 oak posts and 600 cross members; 350 hectares of forest were felled to create it. It�s easy to imagine how the builders of that bridge would smile if they could stand, as I am, high above the waters of �resund.

The Bridge, April 21, BBC Four, 9pm

The Times

Fangy and grrr

Posted: Apr 16 2012, 07:30 PM

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Yay

but ...

QUOTE (little pixie @ Apr 15 2012, 03:25 PM)

And it�s harder to play spot-the-same-actor the way you could between The Killing and Borgen � thanks to a mixed Danish-Swedish cast. But when the next Swedish series comes we�ll be ready for it . .

Oh the actor spotting is half the fun.

prophecy girl	Posted: Apr 17 2012, 08:28 AM
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Fangy and grrr	Posted: Apr 18 2012, 04:15 PM
Sr. Member Group: Members Posts: 3,392 Member No.: 113 Joined: 1-February 05	I noticed in the supermarket today that the 'new Lund' is on the front cover of this weeks Radio Times.

little pixie

Posted: Apr 18 2012, 05:17 PM

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QUOTE (Fangy and grrr @ Apr 18 2012, 05:15 PM)

I noticed in the supermarket today that the 'new Lund' is on the front cover of this weeks Radio Times.

It`s like the Viking Invasions all over again.

prophecy girl	Posted: Apr 19 2012, 09:15 AM
Sr. Member Group: Members Posts: 40,163 Member No.: 118 Joined: 5-February 05	Is Scandinavian TV drama overrated? With BBC4's latest import The Bridge set to hit screens this weekend, are viewers more willing to forgive Scandinavian imports' flaws? article

prophecy girl	Posted: Apr 21 2012, 11:55 AM
Sr. Member Group: Members Posts: 40,163 Member No.: 118 Joined: 5-February 05	The Bridge may make a killing with fans wanting Wallander or longing for Lund BBC4's latest instalment of Scandi noir is a Swedish-Danish co-production, which the channel hopes will feed British desire for Nordic thrillers article

prophecy girl	Posted: Apr 22 2012, 11:30 AM
Sr. Member Group: Members Posts: 40,163 Member No.: 118 Joined: 5-February 05	The Bridge: season one, episodes one and two link

little pixie	Posted: Apr 22 2012, 11:37 AM
Pink Mousey - Live the Dream Group: Admin Posts: 26,690 Member No.: 141 Joined: 20-February 05	Eps 1 and 2. I found it watchable enough and quite funny in parts. Anyone else shout Ooh look, that`s Vagn ? I assume that the man with the binos looking out of the window - shot from the back - is the killer ?

Fangy and grrr	Posted: Apr 23 2012, 12:23 AM
Sr. Member Group: Members Posts: 3,392 Member No.: 113 Joined: 1-February 05	Guardian Blog Episodes 1 and 2 Really enjoyed it. I love Martin & Saga already. Martin was funny but Saga was hilarious at times. I think she's part Lund part Carrie from Homeland ( almost identical bar pick up scene in both ) part Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory. I will admit to being a bit lost as to which bits are in Sweden which are in Denmark, the 70's porn star social worker is in Sweden right ?

little pixie

Posted: Apr 23 2012, 01:13 PM

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QUOTE (Fangy and grrr @ Apr 23 2012, 01:23 AM)

Guardian Blog Episodes 1 and 2

Really enjoyed it.

I love Martin & Saga already. Martin was funny but Saga was hilarious at times.

I think she's part Lund part Carrie from Homeland ( almost identical bar pick up scene in both ) part Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory.

I will admit to being a bit lost as to which bits are in Sweden which are in Denmark, the 70's porn star social worker is in Sweden right ?

That`s not the sort of thing I watched in the 70`s.

Fangy and grrr

Posted: Apr 23 2012, 09:48 PM

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QUOTE (little pixie @ Apr 23 2012, 01:13 PM)

QUOTE (Fangy and grrr @ Apr 23 2012, 01:23 AM)

Guardian Blog Episodes 1 and 2

Really enjoyed it.

I love Martin & Saga already. Martin was funny but Saga was hilarious at times.

I think she's part Lund part Carrie from Homeland ( almost identical bar pick up scene in both ) part Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory.

I will admit to being a bit lost as to which bits are in Sweden which are in Denmark, the 70's porn star social worker is in Sweden right ?

That`s not the sort of thing I watched in the 70`s.

More a Confessions of a Window Cleaner person were we ?

( I've been watching that programme on the 70's on BBC2 ).

The Bridge got over a million viewers and did better in the ratings than either The Killing or Borgen.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2012/apr/23/the-bridge-1m

willowroolz	Posted: Apr 24 2012, 07:04 AM
A Lerxst in wonderland Group: Special Member Posts: 23,310 Member No.: 9 Joined: 27-April 04	Watched the first episode last night. Didn't think I was going to like it at first - I thought the actress playing Saga was awful - then I realised she was supposed to be a bit odd (about 5 seconds before one of the characters said "Does he know she's a bit odd?" ). After that I started to really enjoy it. Very amusing at times. The scene with the car bomb was great I am slightly disturbed that George Galloway has got time to play a Danish detective, though

little pixie

Posted: Apr 24 2012, 02:05 PM

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QUOTE (Fangy and grrr @ Apr 23 2012, 10:48 PM)

QUOTE (little pixie @ Apr 23 2012, 01:13 PM)

QUOTE (Fangy and grrr @ Apr 23 2012, 01:23 AM)

Guardian Blog Episodes 1 and 2

Really enjoyed it.�

I love Martin & Saga already. Martin was funny but Saga was hilarious at times.�

I think she's part Lund part Carrie from Homeland ( almost identical bar pick up scene in both ) part Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory.�

I will admit to being a bit lost as to which bits are in Sweden which are in Denmark, the 70's porn star social worker is in Sweden right ?�

�

That`s not the sort of thing I watched in the 70`s.

More a Confessions of a Window Cleaner person were we ?

Oof, that`s impressive.

little pixie	Posted: Apr 29 2012, 01:33 PM
Pink Mousey - Live the Dream Group: Admin Posts: 26,690 Member No.: 141 Joined: 20-February 05	Guardian Blog eps 3 & 4 Great fun this week from Saga. Erm, and obviously sniff that poor Brix got bumped off. What was with the widow`s secret wig ? Hmm, I`m liking Ake - the journalist who sits at the window - as the mastermind. He was missing from his desk when some of the Brix stuff was happening, he had access to the car to plant the fake bomb and he`s benefitting somewhat from the Paper doing better with this story.

Fangy and grrr	Posted: Apr 29 2012, 04:36 PM
Sr. Member Group: Members Posts: 3,392 Member No.: 113 Joined: 1-February 05	I'm loving the Saga & Martin relationship, they are very funny together. Stand out moments for Saga were her correcting the doctor on her misuse of consciousness and unconsciousness, fitting the killer's profile and of course ' How's your scotum?'. I do however think its outrageous to present the normally pristine Brix in such a state, its just wrong. The problem with trying to figure out the mastermind is that we know from the weird guy with the sword that he has soldiers. I'm leaning towards the policemen on trial being invovled - the one who was threatening Martin's friend looked pretty fit and did seem to know exactly where to hurt Martin.

little pixie	Posted: May 6 2012, 01:42 PM
Pink Mousey - Live the Dream Group: Admin Posts: 26,690 Member No.: 141 Joined: 20-February 05	Guardian Blog eps 5 & 6 Good grief, Martin has quite some powers of recuperation - he gets kneed in the groin, has new stitches put in, then rushes out and boinks Charlotte - whose seduction technique appears to involve removing her wig. Oh dear, Martin cheats on his wife but judges Saga for sleeping with August ?

Fangy and grrr

Posted: May 9 2012, 12:26 AM

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QUOTE (little pixie @ May 6 2012, 01:42 PM)

Guardian Blog eps 5 & 6

Good grief, Martin has quite some powers of recuperation - he gets kneed in the groin, has new stitches put in, then rushes out and boinks Charlotte - whose seduction technique appears to involve removing her wig.

Oh dear, Martin cheats on his wife but judges Saga for sleeping with August ?

Oh Martin how could you ?

Although I do now think I understand Charlotte's wig - Charlotte is a succubus who is irresistable to men except when she wears her wig which allows her to lead a normal life however when she takes off her wig ... poor Martin didn't have a chance.

I'm not sure Saga actually slept with August I reckon she just let him stay over but as is her style didn't pick up on what Martin was so angry about.

I am starting to suspect that TT might be August's online friend.

And as mentioned in the Guardain Blog I'm getting very interested in these single duvets all the couples seem to be using. Might be the way forward.

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