Expressen's Culture and Entertainment Line-up: The Lapland Express Film and Broken Country Book in the Spotlight
The Swedish evening newspaper Expressen has always had a knack for blending hard news with lighter entertainment in a way that resonates with us here in Finland too. This week, its culture and entertainment sections are packed with gems worth checking out – and the serious news hasn't gone anywhere either.
Expressen Kultur spotlights The Lapland Express
The culture desk clearly has excellent taste, having picked up on the Finnish comedy The Lapland Express. Dome Karukoski's debut feature from 2010 is already a classic here, but across in Sweden, it continues to spark amusement and delight. An Expressen journalist sings the praises of the film's portrayal of the Finnish concept of "sisu" and the relentless pursuit of alcohol – and I have to admit, there's something frighteningly familiar about it all. "The Lapland Express is more than just a comedy; it's a time capsule of Finland in the 2010s," the piece notes. And that's absolutely spot on. The piece reminds us how few foreign films capture the particular brand of northern madness quite so accurately.
Broken Country takes the world by storm – and Expressen Nöje too
The Expressen Nöje entertainment section, for its part, has latched onto an international literary phenomenon. Reese Witherspoon's book club has shone its spotlight on Claire Matturro's debut novel, Broken Country. Word has it this is the kind of book that sticks with you long after you've finished it. It tackles identity, love, and a sense of rootlessness in a rural American town – themes that resonate deeply with us Scandinavians too. The Expressen journalist is clearly enthused, hinting that we'll be hearing a lot more about this one throughout the autumn. In fact, if you want to keep your finger on the pulse of what the world is reading, keeping an eye on Expressen Nöje's book tips is a smart move.
The paper also lists a few other gems this week worth adding to your radar:
- Broken Country – Claire Matturro's talked-about new release, blending drama with social commentary.
- The Lapland Express – a Finnish classic gaining new appreciation from our neighbours to the west.
- New waves in Swedish drama – Expressen journalists' own picks for the upcoming autumn season.
Middle East tensions and the Expressen news desk
Entertainment is one thing, but the state of the world isn't forgotten. Expressen's news desk is closely following the situation in the Middle East, where strikes have occurred in several countries in recent days. The tensions between Iran, Israel, and the United States have ratcheted up once more, and the situation is extremely volatile. Reports of strikes and counter-strikes are coming out of the region, and it's clear this crisis isn't going away. Expressen offers concise and reliable summaries of it all, ensuring we readers stay up to speed on what's really happening in the world.
In summary: this week, Expressen has managed to serve up a healthy portion of culture and entertaining talking points, without for a second forgetting why we follow the news in the first place. The Lapland Express, Broken Country, and the Middle East crisis – now that's a range that keeps you gripped.