TV 2 success shows death as it is
With a smartphone in hand, TV 2 journalist Mathias Skaarpas breaks the silence surrounding life's inevitable end, and together with the the people sharing their stories, creates an honest portrayal of the final moments and saying goodbye in the series "Siste Reis" (Last Journey).
20 years ago, Mathias Skaarpas worked as a porter, and in his job transporting patients around the hospital, he experienced that almost all aspects of life's dramas could be seen and discussed within the hospital walls. But death was the only thing met with silence. He observed how relatives of a person who had just passed away often had only a few minutes in practice to say goodbye to the person they might have shared 50 years of their life with. He also noticed how death was often treated as something to be dealt with quickly, even though for the bereaved, it was a moment of deep sorrow and loss. Since then, he has reflected on the apprehension and taboo that can be associated with talking about death.
Something very special about "Siste Reis" is that Mathias Skaarpas filmed exclusively with his iPhone and a small, flexible tripod that easily fit in his backpack. This handheld approach, without the need for photographers and larger production equipment, made it possible for him to get closer to the participants, even in acute situations late in the evening.
"If one of the participants suddenly felt unwell at 11 PM, I could hop on my bike with the tripod in my backpack and be there within a short time," he explains.
All the participants' stories in "Siste Reis" are presented as shorter videos, similar to those we know from social media, and then made available on tv2.no/sistereis. This format strengthens the intimacy and recognizability and has simultaneously helped to awaken interest in a broader target group - including those for whom a documentary about death is not normally at the top of their list.
The series' format and honest approach proved to be a hit. Within just 24 hours, the first episode had received over 4,000 reactions and 400 comments, almost exclusively positive. "Siste Reis" has now surpassed an impressive 5 million views.
The series can be watched on tv2.no/sistereis