But already next week it is possible for the general public to see the documentary. From September 1st it will be available on SVT Play and on Tuesday September 3rd it will be shown on SVT 1 at 9pm.

The documentary "Kidnapped in the Sahara" is made by Marika Griesel and Simon Stanford. The pair Griesel and Stanford began work on the documentary as early as 2015 after contacting one of Johan's sisters. The purpose then was to depict the anguish under which the family lived. But after Johans release in June 2017, it became a somewhat different direction.

Recorded in the desert

In the documentary, which is recorded in Stockholm, Åminne, Malmö, South Africa and in the Kalahari desert, we also hear Johan Gustafsson tell about his time in captivity. He was kidnapped while on a motorcycle trip through Africa on November 25, 2011 by an Al Qaeda affiliated group. The film contains some, as Simon Stanford puts it, carefully dramatized scenes. Some of them are recorded in the Kalahari desert because it was not considered safe to go to Mali.

- I liked being back in the desert, I almost look too happy with it in the film, says Johan Gustafsson and smiles when we meet him for the film premiere at the Rubber Factory.

Can be viewed in more countries

And that the film premieres in Värnamo is no coincidence.

- It feels natural that it was here in Värnamo that it is the premiere. Many people here have engaged and lit candles for me when I was in captivity, says Johan Gustafsson.

Now director Simon Stanford is negotiating for the film to be shown in more countries.

- We are cutting a slightly longer international version.