Norwegian Ambassador to India objects to the Hindi film ‘Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway’

Portrayal of Norway in the film is factually incorrect !

Hans Jacob Frydenlund on right

New Delhi – Norwegian Ambassador to India, Hans Jacob Frydenlund, has objected to the Hindi film ‘Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway’ that released on 17th March. The film is directed by Ashima Chibber and is based on true events. The film depicts how an Indian mother overcomes a foreign country’s system and Administration to save her young children from the complications arising due to Norwegian laws on parenting. There are several laws in Norway, which prevent the children from sleeping with their parents at night. The intention is to make the children independent. Few years ago, action was taken against an Indian couple in Norway, for letting their son sleep with them at night.

During a press conference, Ambassador Hans Jacob Frydenlund said, ‘The film portrays Norway in a wrong way. There are factual inaccuracies about Norway in the film’s story. Several things are depicted in a wrong manner. I think it is important for me to present the official Norwegian perspective and correct factual inaccuracies. Excessive cinematic liberty has been taken to make the film more entertaining. The film projects cultural differences between the two countries as the primary factor in this case; but it is completely false. Without going into the details of this particular case, I deny that feeding with hands and sleeping in the same bed would be the reason for placing the children in alternative care. Not in this case and not in any other case. Norway’s culture is not as depicted in this movie. We too feed our children with hands. I also read bedtime stories to my children. It worries me to imagine what our Indian friends would think of us Norwegians and our culture when they watch this movie’.

He said, ‘I hope the Indian citizens will not get influenced by what is depicted in the film, instead will use their own judgment’.