American Movie about Utøya Massacre
Not two months after the unthinkable terrorist attacks in Oslo and at Utøya, where one man killed a total of 77 people, the American film company Versace Entertainment is already in the process of making a movie about the tragic attack. On 24th of September, a one-minute trailer for the film simply called “Utoya Island” was posted on YouTube.
The clip has created strong reactions among Norwegian officials, including the police and the Labour Party Youth (AUF) who were the targets of the shootings. The police committee assigned to investigating the terrorist attack has attempted to have the clip removed from YouTube. However, YouTube will not remove the clip as it does not violate any of their terms and conditions. The police has also written a letter directly to the producer asking him to “consider pulling the clip from YouTube, as the contents may induce negative reactions with the many people affected by the terrorist’s actions”. In addition, the investigation of the attacks is far from over and the trial has not even started.
The film’s writer and director, Vitaly Versace, arrogantly rebuts the request in a video he posted on YouTube four days ago. He states that “it is never too early” to make a movie about this. – “There will never be enough time to give those who lost their loved ones to move on. Ten years from now they will still be missing their children.”
In an amazing display of ignorance, Versace goes on to attack the Norwegian police.
- “I am in the USA. I don’t care what goes on in Norway. In your department, everyone should be fired. It took you guys 72 hours to get to that island! They had been calling you for days, screaming ‘help us, help us!’”
Note: Police landed on the island less than 1 hour after the first reports of shooting.
The director defends the making of the film by stating that 9/11 happened, Columbine happened and Titanic happened. People were dying all over the place and filmmakers told their stories. Versace also claims he doesn’t really care if Norwegians – a small percentage of the world’s population – boycott the movie. He will still sell it to the U.S., Russia and other large countries – where the big money is.
In the trailer, which has the quality of a home video shot on a mobile phone, we see a group of young people on a boat with a Norwegian flag flying overhead. In the next shot, an actor depicting Anders Behring Breivik is rowing a small dingy out to what is supposed to be Utøya. The caption reads: “ON AN ISLAND OF TRANQUILITY… ONE NORWEGIAN MAN… WENT BESERK[sic]… AND KILLED 69 CHILDREN OF GOD”. The rest of the trailer is a study in bad acting as we see people running, sound of gunfire, people jumping in the water, the actor shooting his rifle (with fake CGI muzzle flames) and shouting “I’m gonna kill you all!”, and finally a distasteful blood-splattered title screen and credits.
Something tells me this will be a flop. Let’s all hope so. The people affected by the Utøya massacre deserve more respect.
Sources: VG, VG.no and YouTube
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The further ‘out of the way’ you go the more common it is to see folk cottages standing by the side of roads, along fjords or in a thicket of trees, minding their own business. 
How do you like the darkness?
Lathari beach is the only beach in Alta.
Today herding reindeer is synonymous with the Sami culture. It is recently thought that the Vikings were the first people to herd reindeer.
I am american and to me this Versace guy should not be included as an American. Yes there are some Americans that are creepy crooks and some that are not. Please do not think all Americans are like this person; he is not like a typical American.
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from Moose:
Don’t worry, I am not making an issue of the fact that he’s American – I’m just appalled that he calls himself a filmmaker. If it was being made in Russia, Malaysia or Australia I would have the same attitude. I’m a film buff myself and one of the first thing you do is get your background facts straight before you start spinning a story. I have no doubt there will be a movie made about the Utøya massacre – maybe even a Norwegian movie – a couple of years down the line. But it needs to be made with dignity. Versace just seems like he wants to beat everyone to the chase with a C-grade splatter film.
Ugh. This sickens me. I’m an American married to a Norwegian man and even if I had no ties to Norway, I would still be disgusted by this “american’s” lack of sensitivity and compassion.
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from L-Jay:
To me it seems that it is not what a normal American would do. I know Americans would understand how Norwegians feel. Bad things, terror, are drawing old friends together again. Australia with the Bali bombings, American attacks, the London bombings, the Spanish… In times of sorrow we can find comfort from our friends.
In Norway we all have one heart – to downplay Brievik and all he stands for. I think we have been succeeding. However, we can’t control the rest of the world. Brievik wants sensationalism. He wants his story told. And so Norwegians will not tell it. But there is always the weak and poor in heart who set to destroy. The mere fact that someone is willing to sensationalize Brievik, just to earn money from him, is a big betrayal.
Thanks for your comment.
A new disgusting low for an American director!
There are some stories that should NEVER be made into movies–what happened in Norway is one of those; there are many more.
If we’re talking about Vitaliy Versace owner o Versace Productions then he’s Russian. Or at least he and his family were. Perhaps they acquired an American citizen ship after immigrating. Vitaliy was born in Russia.
http://www.inmag.com/profiles/vitaliy-versace.html
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2648766/bio
But hey, Americans are used to taking the rap lol.
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from L-Jay:
I’d say half of Americans are from immigrant backgrounds. The director is obviously residing in America and has lived there most of his life and even (might) have American citizenship. Then both technically and subjectively he is American.
What do you mean by immigrant? Because way more than half of all Americans are non- Native American Indian. Somehow I doubt him having an American citizenship has anything to do with his making a movie of this event. Unless of course we’re talking about freedom of speech and the actual resources necessary to make film. Being as how his parents are Russian I doubt one can blame America for his film choices lol. After all most of his work has been done in Russia itself.
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from L-Jay:
Well, technically an immigrant background is when someone has a first, second and even third generation connection to someone who was born in another country. But really America was settled by immigrants and it is made up of all the other nations of the world, not to mention the American natives. This is the same as Australia and other young countries. Most can trace their genealogy back to every other inhabitable continent. But when are you considered not an immigrant? When you get citizenship? After one generation, two or 10. Or is it ‘once and immigrant, always an immigrant’? Ask Chinese-looking Americans that have been in America for 6 generations if they are sometimes treated like an immigrant. And who is to say that being an immigrant is bad? I’m an immigrant to Norway and proud of it. I love my new country and I will do whatever I can to contribute.
Anyway – my reply to you was to correct you in saying that the Utøya filmmaker is Russian. He wasn’t raised in Russia and it is very likely that he has duel citizenship as he is able to reside and work in America. I haven’t seen any evidence that most of his work has been in Russia – but that certainly doesn’t mean he is (all) Russian. But the issue isn’t his citizenship, is it about the country that the film is being made in.
There is a saying ‘only in America’. It is used (Usually outside America) when talking about something silly happening in America, like when a man is suing a dog (not his owner) for pooping on his lawn. It seems that ‘only in America’ a film like Utøya can be made at this time. There is a reason the filmmaker chose America instead of Russia. Russia borders Norway and we have a good relationship – we collaborate on projects and industry. Out of respect, the Russia authorities would listen to the Norwegian police, the surviving Utøya youth and Norway, and demand, at least a postponement of the production. In fact, I don’t think any European country would do this to each other. How would America feel if this filmmaker, just two months after 911, made a film to sell to the world of the tragedy, depicting human blood being thrown up in the air in the credits? I don’t think it would have gone down well. (And so why didn’t anyone do it – because it wouldn’t be appropriate!) There were docos made just two weeks after the massacre in Norway (even shown on Discovery channel) but they told facts and had the intention to clarify to the people the events of what happened. There were also docos/TV dramas about 911. But a feature film of 911 in America was not released until two years after and it was handled with great care. The same respect is deserved by the Norwegian people.
We lost one of our family members at Utøya. She was 19. Running for her life she was shot in the ankle then shot in the shoulder. When she was on the ground she was executed in the back of the head. Nearly everyone in Norway knows someone who died from the massacre. I can personally say – IT IS TOO SOON. No one with the slightest bit of integrity or compassion would release a film at such a time.
Ahh but you see, apparently Australia, just like most of Europe, is only imitating democracy because America made it cool. The American government doesn’t have the right to go in and shut down an individual or their project just because the gov or the public disagrees with his comments, actions, etc unless he is a threat to public safety. A recent example being the guy in Sweden who was recently jailed for two months for his statement about being sick that “immigrant hoards” were raping Swedish girls. Not legal in the U.S. to imprison a person over a stated opinion. In America we know “freedom of speech” and freedom of the press means you have the right to say it, whether we agree with you or not. Not ONLY when we agree with you.
“There is a saying ‘only in America’.”
We have that saying in America too. It’s usually related to freedom, liberty, the ability to pull one’s self up in society on their own merit, putting a man on the moon, or 20 of the worlds top 50 universities being here.
Calling the guy an American simply because he “might” have acquired an American citizenship after his parents migrated is just a low blow attempt to be snide to America. The fact that he wasn’t even born here himself means Russian culture undoubtly had a far stronger influence on his upbringing through his parents(I assume that’s the relationship we’re talking about with respect to America right) than any American ideals. Yeah he’s making the film in America because he has the freedom to do it, the citizens don’t need the governments approval to use the restroom here in the states. We don’t want a babysitter.
America isn’t going to apologize for our individual freedoms. If the rest of the world can’t get over that then too bad. But most importantly we’re not apologizing because the rest of the world is ignorant and uneducated and uncultured enough to critcize us because of the actions of ONE Russian immigrant.
I imagine there’s not a single thing that can be said to cull anti-Americanism abroad. I guess veryone/thing needs that slender, tall, smart, good looking blonde girl to hate on just for being her. I guess America gets to be the rest of the worlds for any ridiculous reason lol.
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from L-Jay:
Your comments are not flattering to your argument. I hope people reading this only regard your comments as stereotypical American, not American.
Oh and I also forgot to add that it took tin foil hat wearing Europeans all of about 2 days to start rolling out the “Bush was behind it, it’s a conspiracy!” videos and web articles after 9-11. So you’ll have to forgive me if I don’t share your “euro is just too classy to do something like this” sentiment.
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from L-Jay:
And they have also done it about the massacre in Norway, the London bombings, etc, etc. However, there was never a feature length film directed for commercialism with splashing blood up into the air.
how inappropriate.
I am not surprised this is becoming a film; however, I do think it is inappropriately and disrespectfully too soon. I do not have the heart to watch any clips Mr. Versace et al have posted. I am saddened by the loss of innocent lives and the fact anyone would would strive to profit from this.
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from L-Jay:
I suspect the quality of the filmmaking would turn any regular movie-goer off. It is a bad student film at best (which adds more insult). You are not missing much – life is better without it.
First of all, I want to express my condolences to your family for the loss. As to the film, it is wrong on so many levels. 1. In-sensitivity to the issue. Yes, there were films made the 9/11 WTC tragedy, about Titanic, etc, but YEARS later. Since there is an on-going investigation, emotions are still high, this is not cathartic, this is merely salt in the wounds. 2. Disrespect for the subject matter. Saying that he doesn’t care about Norway makes you wonder WHY he made the film. He obviously has no concern for the families who lost loved ones. Which will be obvious in the film and will leave views with a bad taste in their mouths. 3. Disregard for the truth. Since the investigation is on-going, I am assuming that all the information is not currently (and especially not when the script was written) available to the public. 4. Bad directing, acting and editing. As a film buff myself, the credits (font and word choice) made me cringe on the same level as nails on a chalk board. 5. Being an (expletive of choice here). unfortunately, there are people like this everywhere. This “film” will make a few festival rounds and he will be lucky if some “b” movie website picks it up for online-only distribution.
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from L-Jay:
Thank you.
The ‘truth’ is certainly not the filmmakers plan. Even in his youtube explanation he clearly states false information about the massacre.
But on a lighter side: We noticed a couple of laughable things in the trailer. The Breivik character was rowing a boat to the island (when, in actuality, he took the ferry) and he was rowing forward…lol. The youth in the trailer traveled to the island on a small New Orleans passenger barge in what looks to be a ‘gator infested swamp. There was also a comment on youtube about the line of wording in the trailer “One Norwegian man… went beserk… and killed 69 children of god.” The commenter thought the killer’s name was ‘Went Beserk’…lol. You’ll also notice that ‘beserk’ is spelt wrong in the trailer…lol. ‘Beserk’ is supposed to be spelt ‘beRserk’ – so he misspelt a word that originates from Norwegian…lol. In fact, the word ‘berserk’ is actually an Old Norse word the Vikings used – the word described specific types of warriors that would build up a rage before battle (probably from eating mushrooms…lol) – they were called ‘Berserkers’, mainly because of the bear-skin they wore. Funny stuff.
It is vulgar that the filmmaker is releasing such a film so soon, but I’m sure it will be a career-killer because of his involuntary comedic filmmaking.
ok, I agree the film maker was incredibly insensitive and the loss is and will continue to be overwhelming for so many families but I feel deep anger toward the government who thought that it was ok to ill equip the poor police force to the extent that they had to borrow a boat to get to the island. Had insufficient training, allowed the only helicopter they had to be run like a hot dog stand, ie out to lunch, on my holidays!!! Jesus get angry, do something, vote for someone who can put YOU FIRST AND NOT PEDAL EXCUSES AND MORE EXCUSES. It almost seemed at one point norwegian press were more interested in how you all thought your prime minister had handled the situation and how popular he had become rather than the victims or the families and friends.
For the level of service that Jents thought it was ol to provide, I say he has blood on his hands………..big time
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from L-Jay:
Norway likes to keep up appearances. It is not as rich as it tells everyone and it doesn’t prioritize the care of its own people before developing countries. It can’t afford to buy its police force a personnel helicopter but it is the largest International Aid donater in the world: http://www.poverty.com/internationalaid.html
A note on the preparedness of the Police. I feel it’s unfair to point the finger at the Police in this way. There’s a false sense of security by having an overly tooled up Police force. Breivik may not have been stopped had the police got there earlier, and likely there would have been a firefight with lots more casualties. The fact is, only Breivik knows why he did what he did, and even he’s likely to be delusional. But expecting the Police to always be ready for this sort of event, is to expect the supernatural from mortal men and women.
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from Moose:
Yes, hindsight is an exact science…
I am particularly dumbfounded at how many people criticise the police for having to borrow a boat to get to the island. Seriously, when do you ever see a police boat on standby in a backcountry lake? The police had to make do with what was available, particularly since the ferry had been taken more than 10 km away by the 12 people who escaped in it when the shooting started.
Before anything else, I want to say how sorry I am for your loss.
As for the film? This is crass. The guy seems clueless on so many levels.
I did take a look at the ‘trailer’ on youtube, best thing about it was the 12,000+ dislikes it’s received.
Firstly let me say my thoughts are with all those affected by this tragedy.
We in the UK had a similar incident in Dunblane about 20yrs ago. To think that someone would make a film of it is horrific. It’s terrible that these things happen at all, but to re-enact it for profit is horrendous. Some people do tend to take ‘free speach’ to rather bizzare extremes. I can se no justification for this movie and will encourage everyone I know to not only boycot the film, but also the trailer etc.