As Kulturnyheterna previously reported, TT will close its film reviews at the turn of the year.

The country's largest distributor of Swedish film is concerned that this could hit Filmsverige hard.

- This means major problems for the distribution of films across the country.

In terms of film policy, we work to ensure that film reaches the whole country and then TT is very important, says Eva Essén, CEO of Triart film.

No press releases

Many local newspapers find it difficult to review films themselves due to a lack of resources.

In addition, press screenings outside the big cities are rare.

- For the important big movies, the film companies do not even allow press screenings outside the three big cities.

I do not know how we will get access to them, says Lars Böhlin entertainment editor at Västerbottens-Kuriren in Umeå.  

Eva Essén at Triart film believes that Swedish, slightly narrower quality films will be hit hardest.   

- When we look at how the audience gets the information about these films, we see that the local daily newspaper is the most important source.

If you compare with international films, such as Marvel, for example, you are often reached by the information in other ways, she says.   

"Reviews crucial for knowledge"

The Swedish Film Institute is also concerned about TT's decision, as film reviews are "crucial" for the audience to become aware of new films.  

- We think it is worrying considering that the restart after the pandemic crash is incredibly tough for the film industry, says Jan Göransson who is press manager at the Film Institute.  

The Film Institute is now considering deploying support or redistributing the existing film support to create greater local knowledge about new films.

No savings

TT says that the decision to discontinue the reviews is not a saving: it is about the local press no longer asking for film reviews in the same way as before.  

- This is not a reduction.

The time we have spent on reviews, we will in future spend on other types of surveillance of film and television, says Lisa Abrahamsson, acting editor-in-chief at TT.