Swedish movie: Måste gitt (A Hustler’s Diary)

“Måste gitt” is a Swedish long film which is launched in 2017. The word “måste gitt” is an urban slang that is close to “måste dra” in Swedish, with a roughly meaning of “must retreat” in English.

This comedy movie is a story about a little gangster called Metin from Jordbro near Stockholm. Even though being a gangster, Metin dreams of having a normal life without taking any risks. Therefore, he has been keeping a diary that records any details of what he saw and heard.

One day he accidentally loses the diary and it ends up in the hands of the publisher Puma, who thinks that Metins diary can be a future bestseller. However, Metin is worried that the criminals mentioned in the diary will take revenge on him if it comes out, so he tries desperately to get it back…….

Even though the film is categorized as a comedy, it is apparent that the director wants the audiences to think about the movie after watching it. And here are some points can be discussed about several social problems (or phenomenons) which have been widely noticed by the public in Sweden recent years.

Theme 1: Same city, different worlds
The movie depicts two different worlds that are located in the same city: how the young criminal Metin living in the suburban area ended up in the fancy culture industry in the middle of the capital. The contrasts between the worlds are great and Metin is torn between his loyalty to the group of friends at home in Jordbro and the dream of getting out of there by entering the stage college or publishing a “real” book.

Stockholm, like other major Swedish cities, is a segregated city. According to the research, the problem of segregation is increasing, and the gap between the rich and poor is getting bigger and bigger. The poor are being pushed further into the suburbs, such as Jordbro where Metin lives. The cause of segregation may depend on four factors listed below:
1. The rich become richer and the poor become poorer.
2. The welfare system, such as schools, health care and care for the elderly, has changed;
3. The housing price has increased dramatically.
4. That the proportion of rental apartments is decreasing.

Theme 2: Language as humor and power
“Måste gitt” gives many examples of language confusion, ie how a lack of language skills leads to misunderstandings. Language confusion creates comedy, but language can also be used as a means of power; to make someone feel stupid, outside, or less worthy. This applies, for example, between different social classes, occupational groups, age groups, and between different gangs or subcultures.

Language is also often said to be the key to integration, ie that a person who comes to a new country must learn the country’s language to become part of society. the worse a person may speak a language, the greater the risk that he or she will be perceived as unintelligent or stupid.

Theme 3: The suburb on camera
The media image of the Swedish suburb is generally very negative. TV, radio, and newspapers often report robberies, assaults, and shootings that have taken place in suburban regions, but very rarely about other incidents from these “vulnerable areas” as they are usually called.

Another problem with media reporting is that it takes place from outside. For example, a reporting team from the media office in the inner city goes out and spends a few hours in the “problem suburb”, then gets in their car and goes back to the editorial office and writes or cuts their reportage. There is no inside perspective. Therefore, the media images of the suburbs become superficial, nuanced, and misleading and those who live there rarely recognize themselves in the description of their place.

Theme 4: Creation as a way out
Metin has a high status in Jordbro; he is admired by the younger ones and respected by his peers. However, he is not satisfied with life as a criminal. He always keeps his father’s words in mind, and he wants to make his father proud of him. Therefore he writes a lot and he has applied to the stage school, which indicates that he has dreams that extend beyond Jordbro. Sweden is a rich and in many ways well-functioning country. Still, many young people today are worried about the future.

There are two sentences which I think they highlighted the whole movie:

• “Life can end at any time, but a book can last forever.” — publisher Puma
• “Everyone should plant a tree, write a book and raise a child before you retreat.” — Metin’s father.

Both sentences talk about creating something lasting, or something that remains after death, and it is something that many dreams of doing. If Metin kept living a suburban life as a gangster all his life, he might be remembered, respected, and known by his neighborhood when he is alive. While it is for sure that he will be forgotten gradually once he passed away, creating something that is long-lasting, such as writing a book, can make you be remembered by the world in the future. Maybe for Metin, writing a book — is not only about sharing himself with others, but also a way to open up and show off his inner self.

P.S. The sequence was produced into a TV drama and launched in 2020.

Information of the movie:

Name: Måste gitt

Production year: 2017

Duration: 97 minutes

Reference: https://www.filminstitutet.se/sv/fa-kunskap-om-film/filmpedagogik/filmhandledningar/maste-gitt/