After the success of Emma Hamberg's feel-good novel, several people wanted to make a film of the story of the listless 49-year-old who, after becoming unemployed, leaves her hopeless husband for an adventure in France.
"Je m'appelle Agneta" is now premiering on Netflix, starring Eva Melander.
I hadn't read the book before. So when I was asked to do a test shoot, I read it - and fell in love with Agneta's story. I just walked around the house laughing, she says.
Recognition
Emma Hamberg created the character Agneta with inspiration from many stories she received from female readers who, like the character in the novel, felt invisible in their everyday lives and dreamed of a better life. The novel has sold 350,000 copies since it was published five years ago. “Je m'appelle Agneta” has also been turned into a theater performance.
Eva Melander is best known for films like “Border” and “Strul.” She finds it easy to identify with Agneta.
Agneta goes through things that we all do, finding the balance between who you want to be and who you feel you are expected to be. All of that is in me, and that is why it has been so easy to feel that I am Agneta too. I also think that is why it is such a big story, such a big book.
Agneta leaves her life in Sweden and goes to France, where she meets her true love, among other things. Eva Melander is pleased that director Johanna Runevad gave Agneta sex scenes in the film.
I'm so glad that Johanna chose to take action on this. Because it's a painful thing that both men and women go through and are unhappy that our bodies aren't quite what we think they should be.
A favor
She describes being given the role as a favor.
I'm grateful to be in a film that's about accepting and being grateful for the body you have. It's almost like a form of activism today.
Emma Hamberg has written another book about Agneta, "Au revoir Agneta." It is still unclear whether it will also be made into a film - and who knows, maybe there will also be a new novel about the cheerful woman.
Maybe a little postcard from Agneta will drop by my house in ten years. And what will she do then? It would be a joy to meet her then, says Emma Hamberg with a broad smile.
"Je m'appelle Agneta" will be released on Netflix on April 29th.
She is 51 years old. She had her big breakthrough in 2018 in the film "Border," for which she received a Guldbagge for best actress. She has received two more Guldbagges, for roles in "Flocken" and "Strul."
Other films, in selection: "The Hypnotist", "Charter", "UFO Sweden" and "The Conference".
She has also appeared in the television series "Rebecka Martinsson", "Snow Angels", "The Unlikely Murderer" and "Wolf Summer".
