30:e november

Manhattan and the Americans vs the Puerto Ricans in "West Side Story" have been swapped for Stockholm and Nazi-skinheads vs the immigrants. Most actors in the film are great, especially Göran Gillinger in the lead, but the story is nothing but a rip off without even trying to put a personal touch on it.

On November 30th 1718 the Swedish king Karl XII died. He is primarily known because of his incessant wars aimed at increasing the territory of the Swedish nation, although the actual result of these wars was an enormous reduction of the territory. Nevertheless, Karl XII is highly admired by hyper-national and neo-nazi groups, and every year they perform a demonstration on that date. There may also be democratic counter demonstrations, and it may be a tough job for the police to keep both groups apart. - The action of 'West Side Story' (of course without the music) is transplanted to Stockholm and its suburb Alby in which numerous immigrants live. But the new film is definitely not a plagiarism. - The boy (Adam) belongs to a nazi group, whose racial attitude is foremost directed against immigrants with 'wrong' colour of hair or skin. The girl (Julia) belongs to a family of political fugitives from Peru. - The briefest characterisation would be that 'West Side Story' and '30:e November' have exactly the opposite merits and shortcomings. No negative surplus meaning is intended when I say that every detail of West Side Story is through and through stylised. The fights are choreographic, and the representatives of the authority are theatre policemen. When Tony sings 'Maria', the background incessantly changes, and it does so in a way which can only be realised in a film studio. Etc. - By contrast, every detail of '30:e November' is so realistic that one may feel discomfort. Racist policemen beat up immigrants for no reason. A nazi throws a bomb on the democrats, which fortunately does not explode. Sometimes the action proceeds by a reporter asking questions to the spokesman of the police. Sometimes the TV news reporter repeatedly interrupts his account as further events or more serious consequences of some specific event become known. The director often presents the kinds of scenes which would indeed have occurred, if the main events had been real. - Against this background Adam and Julia meet, and their feelings evolve. Often the photo is unusually poetic when they are alone and away from the turmoil. The director has a great capacity for perceiving highly poetic qualities in simple things, such as a girl walking through a grove. - But both of them will be murdered. The movie takes no step toward reconciliation. - I do not expect other people to share my evaluation. Nevertheless, if given the choice, I would rather see '30:e November' than 'West Side Story'.

One thing I have never figured out is why they chose the title 30e November since the plot is set around June 6th and has nothing to do with the celebrations of Karl XII. My only guess is that the made up the title first and then shot the film in the summer for convenience.

The only reason why i gave the film a 2 instead of a 1 is that its good for a laugh when nothing else is on.

I wouldn't recommend this film to anyone expecting quality. Bad acting, bad script.

The only positive thing is that they have captured the 90ies feeling quite well.

When a film starts by; moaning about how poorly everybody, in in the production of the the film, was paid for their efforts; the warning flag should have been raised.

Everybody has a right to a decent wage, but from a cinematic point of view - any amount paid was too much.

A few of the actors survived this meltdown of a film - but arguably despite it rather than because of it. It's hard to envision how any aspekt of filmmaking could be worse.

Its only redeeming quality is the fact that it is low budget - thus creating a paradox. The very issue they moan about is the only thing 30e nvember has going for it.

It's a 2/10 - a bonus point for the money it saved.