“Atlantic Crossing” – – NRK’s ​​credibility is at stake

Today, NRK drama director Ivar Køhn, series creator Alexander Eik, and screenwriter Linda May Kallestein appear before NRK’s ​​appeals body, the Norwegian Broadcasting Council, following allegations of story falsification directed at the great series «Atlantic Crossing».

Dagbladet updates the article regularly. The meeting will be broadcast live on top of the box from 12.25.

– You may not agree with the content. But artistic statements cannot be muzzled with respect to criteria of truth. Attacking fiction for not telling the truth does more damage than a drama series can do, says Køhn.

He re-emphasizes that the series is inspired by real events.

– We have to accept that they act out for the story to work, says Køhn.

Led behind the light

One of the leading Norwegian history experts in the Royal Household, Tor Bomann-Larsen, is also present at the NRK appeal body today. There he delves into the criticisms he has made previously.

– Roosevelt spent an unusual amount of time with Märtha. He participated in promoting Norwegian views and positions towards the United States. There is no discussion about it and it could have been a good series. However, it is not necessary to invent a new major world historical figure that is not covered in the documentation, he says.

– I have received many comments. The historical environment and ordinary citizens feel guided behind the light, says Bomann-Larsen.

He elaborates:

– Viewers are led to believe that Norwegian actors have the leading role in the war drama. Abroad, it is an embarrassing launch of Norwegian national chauvinism that puts our country in a strange light. NRK is the guarantor of this. In my opinion, therefore, the credibility of NRK is at stake, says the historian, who concludes by asking how NRK will restore credibility.

– A big effort

Then there’s the setting for later series creator and director Alexander Eik and historian screenwriter Linda May Kallestein. They tell all the years of research behind the drama series and argue that they have coverage for the action of the series.

– The Crown Princess was not the center of the event, but she was at the center of the events, says Kallestein.

– He made a great effort. It has been neglected and it is time that a little was said about it, says Eik.

– Struggling to understand

Councilman Ove Vanebo doesn’t think Atlantic Crossing is a historical scandal, but he thinks it’s troublesome that NRK failed to convey the distinction between fiction and history in a good enough way.

– The series does not take away the credibility of NRK. At the same time, it is too easy to point out that it is just fiction. It is good that the series is shown and that it arouses historical interest, it is in the mandate of NRK. Still, I find it difficult to understand if it is a clear fiction series or if it has coverage in historical sources, says Vanebo.

Councilor Vebjørn Selbekk has the floor:

– I urge NRK not to enter the trenches. Take criticism on yourself. It is about our national heritage, things that we are proud of and concerned about. NRK hasn’t done a good enough job. They have a chance to do it next time, he says.

– Will create debate

NRK’s ​​head of broadcasting also participates today in the Broadcasting Council. It begins by thanking Tor Bomann-Larsen for starting the discussion on “Atlantic Crossing.”

– As a censor of history, Tor Bomann-Larsen is excellent, but the series cannot be judged on the basis of the work of a historian. Historical drama always provokes debate, he says.

– The series will stimulate debate. Part of the purpose is the debate we have now, says the broadcast chief.

The post continues by talking about NRK’s ​​dramatic decisions.

– All these decisions involve risks. Because they had never been done before. This is an innovation. The decision is made on the condition that the series takes place under artistic freedom. We had a strong debate here on whether NRK should limit that freedom, because that’s an impossible thought.

– We will continue to produce historical drama. I’m sure we’ll meet here again to discuss this kind of series, says Eriksen.