Hacking Hate
Showtimes
Far-right ideology is spreading online through various social media channels. The ecosystem of racism and nationalism has become visible to mainstream audiences through Youtube influencers and the like, but the most violent discussions are happening via private, secret channels.
In Hacking Hate, My Vingren, a Swedish investigative journalist who specialises in the far right, infiltrates racist online communities to expose the networks of people who fantasise about inflicting violence on, and even murdering, the “wrong” kind of people. Vingren writes for the Swedish magazine EXPO, whose perhaps most well-known journalist was the late Stieg Larsson, best known for his work as a novelist.
During the documentary, Vingren is on the trail of Vincent, a figure behind many private far-right online communities. As the film progresses, stranger and stranger details are revealed about this colourful character’s conduct.
In a remarkable sequence, a former neighbour of Vincent’s recounts their unfortunate experiences of observing the far-right influencer’s antics up close. In the process of following Vincent and other far-right activity, the film travels to Sweden, Norway and the United States. Russia and Brazil also play a part in the proceedings. The movement explored by Vingren is international, and its central players are able to navigate between different countries.
Vingren’s methods reflect her dedication to investigative journalism, and it is her background that enables her to craft a convincing fake persona.
Juhana Pettersson (translated by Sofia Lanki)
