Gustav Lindh is on a quick visit to the Berlin Film Festival to attend the premiere of "A Prayer for the Dying", directed by Dara van Dusen.
"When you meet someone who has such a passion for a project and it also turns out that we have common tastes in film, for example, that's when I get going," says Gustav Lindh.
The film is set in Wisconsin in the 1870s, but was shot in Slovakia. In a small town, a diphtheria epidemic breaks out and slowly begins to kill off the population. Gustav Lindh plays the town's postmaster.
"It's the first time I've played an American. I've worked a lot on it. I had a coach one afternoon; I wasn't allowed to sound too contemporary."
Postmaster in the 19th century
Gustav Lindh is always meticulous about preparing for a role. But how does one prepare to play a postmaster in rural America in the 19th century?
"By seeking to understand the system, to realize what responsibility he has for his family and society. He's like an aspen leaf - if he doesn't do his job, things will go badly. It's his yoke to bear," he says and continues:
"I've always loved preparation. It's a fun part of the job. When I was going to make "Trolösa" I devoured everything about the Swedish cultural elite in the 70s."
He says he never believed that as a Swede he would end up in a western film with Johnny Flynn and John C. Reilly as co-stars - and it's all obviously part of gaining as much experience as possible.
"If you're talking about my career, I think long-term. I recently came back from Sundance, with the film "Wicker" where I have Olivia Colman and Alexander Skarsgård as my co-stars. It's fun to work abroad, to make films that aren't made elsewhere. I do the best I can with the opportunities I get. Big roles, small roles, it doesn't matter."
Audience success for “Hamlet”
During the past year, he has achieved critical and public success with "Hamlet" at the Dramaten. It will return in October, then on the Main Stage. He has never before been involved in re-recording a performance in this way.
In the meantime, he is preparing for a new film role.
"It's a Danish film, a leading role, but I'm not allowed to say anything about it yet."
Gunnar Rehlin/TT
Facts: Gustav Lindh
TT
Age: 30.
Lives: In Stockholm.
Occupation: Actor.
Previous roles in selection: "The Circle", "Springfloden", "Jordskott", "Sthlm Requiem", "Love Me", "Björnstad", "Riders of Justice", "Burn All My Letters", "Top Dog", "The Bastard".
Theater: Acclaimed for his performance in "Hamlet", which will premiere at the Dramaten in Stockholm this fall.
Current: In "A Prayer for the Dying" which had its international premiere at the Berlin Film Festival.
