A preview screening of the documentary film “The Act of Killing”

October 28 2013

The Fritt Ord Foundation, Piraya Film and Tour de Force have the pleasure to invite the public to a screening of the internationally acclaimed filmThe Act of Killing at 5.30 p.m. on Thursday, 24 October 2013, at Gimle Cinema in Oslo. The film has dumbfounded audiences wherever it has been shown. It has left an indelible impression, and many have called it one of the best films ever, a fantastic film experience and an instant classic. The film will come to Norwegian cinemas on 15 November this year, but we are now inviting the public to a screening of the “director’s cut”, which will not be shown at the movie theatres. This is the version that has won 30+ prizes from all over the world so far. Director Joshua Oppenheimer will speak prior to the screening.

Although the film is totally banned in Indonesia, it is being distributed over the Internet and on DVDs to increasingly larger numbers of the people. Consequently, it is in the process of performing its most important task: triggering a whole new transparency about the genocide of Communists and suspected Communists in Indonesia in the 1960s.

Writing about the topic in the country’s newspapers is no longer associated with mortal danger, and we are seeing the emergence of genuine political change and willingness to investigate the genocide. In fact, the film is helping Indonesia to face a dark chapter in its past. At the same time, the film goes beyond specific episodes in Indonesia, presenting a universal anatomy of evil that carries a message for all of us. Welcome to a surrealistic kick in the stomach!

The film is a Danish-Norwegian-English-Indonesian-American co-production, and includes significant contributions by Norwegian film-makers. It has been directed by Joshua Oppenheimer, co-directed by Christine Cynn, produced by Signe Byrge Sørensen and co-produced by Torstein Grude of Piraya Film. The film’s executive producers are Errol Morris, Werner Herzog, Torstein Grude, Bjarte Mørner Tveit and Joram Ten Brink.

Director Joshua Oppenheimer will also available at the venue after the film screening.

The Fritt Ord Foundation provided NOK 200 000 in production support for the film.

News

Civitates' Tech & Democracy open call

March 6 2025

Civitates – The European Democracy Fund is a pooled philanthropic fund that was set up in 2018 for the sole purpose of addressing democratic decline and closing civic space in Europe. The case for confronting these threats is growing increasingly urgent. Fritt Ord Foundation is one of the initiators and partners of Civitates.

Civitates has launched its Tech and Democracy open call to support organisations working to ensure safer, more inclusive online spaces (social media platforms, search engines etc.) by improving the enforcement of EU tech regulations at the national level.

This open call offers a unique opportunity to strengthen civil society’s role in holding the tech sector accountable, with a focus on key EU regulations such as the Digital Services Act, GDPR, AI Act or the European Media Freedom Act to name a few.

Call for nominations: Free Media Awards 2025

March 3 2025

In collaboration with the ZEIT STIFTUNG BUCERIUS of Hamburg, the Fritt Ord Foundation has allocated the Free Media Awards annually since 2004 to Eastern European journalists and media that defy every obstacle to tirelessly ensure independent press coverage. Russia’s war against Ukraine and the subsequent wave of disinformation clearly demonstrates the need for independent reporting in the region. Journalist, editorial teams and media companies in and from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Russia, Ukraine and Hungary who make a contribution to press freedom through their investigative, independent reporting can be nominated for the Free Media Awards.

Art and Institutions: “I Demand a Museum to Feel its Own Floors Tremble When Other Museums are Destroyed in War”

February 12 2025

Saturday 22 February 2025 at Kunstnernes Hus, Oslo, from 14.30 to 16.30 h.

Conversation with Adam Budak (Poland/Germany), Stefanie Carp (Germany), Matej Drlička (Slovakia), Andrea Geyer (USA) og Sarah Lookofsky (USA/Norway). Ingerid Salvesen is moderator.

Across the world, cultural institutions are under increasing pressure. Censorship, self-censorship, drastic funding cuts, and political and sponsorship interference are on the rise. Former and present institutional directors – with personal experiences of political pressure, cancellation and censorship from different geographic contexts – will discuss the limitations and capacities of art institutions in the present.

Freedom of Expression Foundation Tribute to Sara Gaulin

February 5 2025

Sarah Gaulin (30) is being awarded the Freedom of Expression Foundation Tribute for her courageous and principled defence of freedom of expression in the face of extremism, gang crime and negative social control.
As a prominent voice, Gaulin has drawn attention to some of the most demanding and controversial social challenges of our time.