Lesley Riddoch launches crowdfunder for Finland documentary
The film has already secured funding of £5000, with Riddoch hoping to raise the final £8000 to make the project a reality.
Finland has been ranked the world's happiest country for eight years in a row, with Riddoch and young Scots filmmaker Gavin Hanigan, who is based in Helsinki, hoping to look at the parallels the country has with Scotland.
Riddoch has previously made documentaries about Norway, Faroes, Iceland, Estonia and Denmark.
READ MORE: UK providing 'political cover' for US and Israel after Iran attack
The Denmark documentary now has 1.7 million views online.
The documentary would be made available on YouTube.
Within just a few days of being live, the crowdfunder has raised just over £750.
In the crowdfunder, Riddoch explains: 'Do we know enough about the world's most successful societies? I don't think so.
'The Nordics are the happiest, most sustainable, most equal, democratic, literate societies on earth, yet remain remarkable mostly for their high beer prices. What a travesty.
(Image: Lesley Riddoch) 'So, I've spent more than a decade running the policy group Nordic Horizons, writing book and paper articles, making podcasts and films to let countries in the doldrums (like the UK) see how we might get onto a Nordic path.'
She adds that there are 'huge parallels' between Scotland and Finland.
'Finland quietly excels in education - something Scotland was once renowned for,' Riddoch wrote.
'The Finns like the Scots sometimes lack confidence, but their way of life is more equal, digital, cooperative, equal and relaxed than almost anywhere else on earth. Scotland rightly prides itself on having the lowest levels of child poverty in the UK at 22 per cent – the figure in Finland is 3.7 per cent.'
READ MORE: Douglas Alexander refuses to set out route to Scottish independence
Riddoch adds: 'So in the dog-eat-dog, adversarial days of Donald Trump, I'd guess the world might want to know more about the happy, equal, educated and slightly awkward Finns.
'This documentary is already part funded. If we can raise another £8000 we can make it happen, start filming in September 2025, show the film around Scotland and put it online for everyone by Christmas with gigs around Scotland if Yes groups fancy.'
Riddoch told The National: 'The current situation with Russia highlights Finland's enduring problem of having to coexist with an occasionally belligerent, acquisitive former colonial power as the nearest neighbour.
'Anyone who has read the history of Finnish resistance during World War II will realise that a country with half its population volunteering to join an army that became the only one to ever repel the Red Army, will be no pushover.
'Today Finns like Gavin live with bunkers in the cellars of their houses and grab bags ready at the instruction of their government in case of attack.
'And yet their lives are relaxed, orderly, and chilled.'
Those who choose to donate to the crowdfunder can get an early access film preview link and other benefits.
You can contribute to the crowdfunder for the documentary here.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The National
3 hours ago
- The National
Lesley Riddoch launches crowdfunder for Finland documentary
The film has already secured funding of £5000, with Riddoch hoping to raise the final £8000 to make the project a reality. Finland has been ranked the world's happiest country for eight years in a row, with Riddoch and young Scots filmmaker Gavin Hanigan, who is based in Helsinki, hoping to look at the parallels the country has with Scotland. Riddoch has previously made documentaries about Norway, Faroes, Iceland, Estonia and Denmark. READ MORE: UK providing 'political cover' for US and Israel after Iran attack The Denmark documentary now has 1.7 million views online. The documentary would be made available on YouTube. Within just a few days of being live, the crowdfunder has raised just over £750. In the crowdfunder, Riddoch explains: 'Do we know enough about the world's most successful societies? I don't think so. 'The Nordics are the happiest, most sustainable, most equal, democratic, literate societies on earth, yet remain remarkable mostly for their high beer prices. What a travesty. (Image: Lesley Riddoch) 'So, I've spent more than a decade running the policy group Nordic Horizons, writing book and paper articles, making podcasts and films to let countries in the doldrums (like the UK) see how we might get onto a Nordic path.' She adds that there are 'huge parallels' between Scotland and Finland. 'Finland quietly excels in education - something Scotland was once renowned for,' Riddoch wrote. 'The Finns like the Scots sometimes lack confidence, but their way of life is more equal, digital, cooperative, equal and relaxed than almost anywhere else on earth. Scotland rightly prides itself on having the lowest levels of child poverty in the UK at 22 per cent – the figure in Finland is 3.7 per cent.' READ MORE: Douglas Alexander refuses to set out route to Scottish independence Riddoch adds: 'So in the dog-eat-dog, adversarial days of Donald Trump, I'd guess the world might want to know more about the happy, equal, educated and slightly awkward Finns. 'This documentary is already part funded. If we can raise another £8000 we can make it happen, start filming in September 2025, show the film around Scotland and put it online for everyone by Christmas with gigs around Scotland if Yes groups fancy.' Riddoch told The National: 'The current situation with Russia highlights Finland's enduring problem of having to coexist with an occasionally belligerent, acquisitive former colonial power as the nearest neighbour. 'Anyone who has read the history of Finnish resistance during World War II will realise that a country with half its population volunteering to join an army that became the only one to ever repel the Red Army, will be no pushover. 'Today Finns like Gavin live with bunkers in the cellars of their houses and grab bags ready at the instruction of their government in case of attack. 'And yet their lives are relaxed, orderly, and chilled.' Those who choose to donate to the crowdfunder can get an early access film preview link and other benefits. You can contribute to the crowdfunder for the documentary here.
Daily Record
4 hours ago
- Daily Record
Banning strangling in porn will help tackle violence against women, says Scots MP
EXCLUSIVE: Joani Reid said online videos are "influencing real-world behaviour" and hailed the UK Government's decision as "a step in the right direction." Banning strangling in pornography will help tackle violence against women, a Scots MP has said. Joani Reid said online videos are "influencing real-world behaviour" and hailed the UK Government's decision as "a step in the right direction." Last week the Labour Government announced it would outlaw "the depiction of strangulation in pornography" as part of its Crime and Policing Bill. East Kilbride and Strathaven MP Reid said the ban would "stop the normalisation of violence through pornography." violence against women should never be entertainment. "We now have clear evidence that violent and degrading pornography is influencing real-world behaviour. "Non-fatal strangulation is a serious and dangerous offence yet, until now, online platforms have been free to promote and profit from its depiction as a form of sexual gratification. That's indefensible. "This isn't about being prudish or anti-sex. It's about protecting women and girls from harm and stopping the normalisation of violence through pornography. For too long online platforms have operated without scrutiny, spreading extreme content with no accountability. "If we are serious about tackling violence against women we can't ignore the role the online world plays in shaping attitudes and behaviour. The decision is a big step in the right direction but there's much more to do.' It is already a criminal offence to possess porn depicting life-threatening acts, such as graphic strangulation. But the Government will tighten up the law to now criminalise the depiction of strangulation completely. A ban had been campaigned for by group of Labour MPs who had backed an amendment to the Crime and Policing bill. These included seven Scots MPs: Reid, Katrina Murray, Tracy Gilbert, Patricia Ferguson, Johanna Baxter, Kirsteen Sullivan and Richard Baker. The UK Government announcement follows the Independent Porn Review, which was conducted by Tory peer Gabby Bertin. The review found that pornography has effectively established strangulation during sex as a 'sexual norm'. It also found that pornography has helped cause a belief that strangling a partner during sex is 'safe' because it is believed to be non-fatal. This is despite overwhelming evidence that is is believed there is no safe way to strangle a person. UK Minister for Victims and tackling Violence Against Women and Girls Alex Davies-Jones said: "Depicting strangulation during sex is not only dangerous, but also degrading, with real life consequences for women. "Cracking down on the appalling rise of strangulation pornography will protect women and send a clear signal to men and boys that misogyny will not be tolerated." This pledge by the Labour Government is part of its vow to halve violence against women and girls during its time in office.
Daily Record
4 hours ago
- Daily Record
The SNP has descended into civil war since the Hamilton by-election
In just four weeks, the political landscape in Scotland has shifted dramatically. This time last month, John Swinney was boasting about how well things were going for him and the SNP. 'I have healed the SNP' is what he told the people of Scotland as he talked up the SNP's chances of winning the coming Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election. He claimed Reform was the only threat to the SNP. But don't worry, full-on John was going to see them off. A month later, and the reality could not be more different. The people of Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse chose a new direction with Scottish Labour – not managed decline with John Swinney. And his party – far from being healed – has descended into full-on civil war as rebels challenge John Swinney's tired and incompetent leadership. Pride comes before a fall – and John Swinney has fallen head-first into a crisis that may cost him his job. The fact is that Scots are sick and tired of SNP incompetence and failure. The people of our country know that John Swinney and his divided party are tired and out of ideas. All they offer is more failure. Take the issue of Alexander Dennis bus manufacturers. The business is set to scrap hundreds of jobs and move to England due to lack of business. But what does the SNP do? Support this Scottish business? No – it buys buses from China, leaves Scottish workers high and dry, and then tells porkies to cover up their incompetence. You don't have to oppose the SNP to see that they are a busted flush and that John Swinney is a disastrous First Minister. Even his own MSPs are rebelling. One said John Swinney has 'no energy, no fire, no boldness, no vision.' And they are right. It's no wonder one rebel MSP said John Swinney had two weeks to come up with a big idea to save his job. But what have we had? More trademark Swinney waffle. One in six Scots are on an NHS waiting list. But what's John Swinney's big plan? An app that was promised years ago and the merging of just two health quangos. Our schools are facing a behaviour crisis with teachers and pupils fearing to go to work and school. John Swinney's big plan? Laminate bullet points and stick them on the wall. We are in the midst of a housing crisis, when housing is devolved to the SNP government. John Swinney's plan? Write a letter to the Deputy Prime Minister. And when all else failed, hit the panic button and start talking about independence again. You couldn't make it up. The staggering incompetence of the SNP would be funny if working Scots weren't paying the price day in and day out. It's time to choose a new direction. To turn our backs on John Swinney and the old, failed politics of the past. And to choose a better Scotland with better leadership. New thinking, new energy and a new direction for our country. That's what I offer – join me on that journey. Nuclear power The global race towards clean power is on – and I firmly believe Scotland should be at the forefront of it. Investing in clean power will not only deliver lower bills, but will create quality jobs and strengthen our energy security so we are no longer subject to the whims of tyrants like Putin. Renewables are a large part of this, and the Labour government is driving forward investment in Scottish renewables through its publicly-owned energy company, GB Energy. But we can't limit our ambitions for Scotland's energy future. Clean nuclear power can work alongside renewables to cut emissions and deliver our climate goals – and it can bring billions of pounds of investment, thousands of high-quality jobs, and greater energy security for Scotland. Communities elsewhere in the UK are set to reap the benefits of nuclear power, but the SNP is stopping Scotland from doing the same. John Swinney could unlock this investment with the stroke of a pen by lifting his party's ideological ban on nuclear power – but he refuses. The SNP is actively blocking jobs and investment in our communities – whatever happened to stronger for Scotland? A Scottish Labour government would ditch the SNP's damaging ban and finally get Scotland the investment and energy security we deserve. Alexander Dennis In Manchester, buses from Alexander Dennis have been bought to make up the core of their publicly-owned Bee Network. But despite warnings from the company, the SNP has failed to maximise its support or use the law to help them buy busses domestically. I'll learn that lesson A Scottish Labour will put Scottish workers and businesses first.
