Ever since the premiere at the festival in Cannes in May, critics around the world have taken turns praising "Sentimental value", Norwegian director Joachim Trier's new film. On September 26, the drama will have its Swedish cinema premiere.
Stellan Skarsgård plays the film director Gustav, whose broken relationship with his daughters does not improve when he approaches them in preparation for working on a film about the family's great trauma.
When his daughter Nora (Renate Reinsve), who is an actress, refuses to be in the film, Gustav instead hires a young Hollywood star - played by Elle Fanning.
Written for Skarsgård
Director Joachim Trier explains that he wrote the role for Stellan Skarsgård.
I flew to Stockholm and showed him the almost finished manuscript and said that I couldn't finish it if you're not in it.
Stellan Skarsgård explains that the character Gustav actually wants to reconcile with his daughters. But he lacks the language to be able to communicate with his children. He is not a "bad guy".
I don't believe in "good guys" or "bad guys". I believe that we are all incredibly complicated and full of contradictions and that we are helpless victims in many cases when we commit evil acts.
Erroneous and pitiful
Skarsgård makes a comparison with his own life, as a 74-year-old man and father of eight children. They had to learn early in their lives that their father was not infallible.
I've made sure that my children at the age of three have their puberty finished. They have already then realized that I am erroneous and pitiful and should be met with understanding and care, he says and laughs.
The next half year is now scheduled for Stellan Skarsgård, who will travel around and campaign for an Oscar for himself and the film, which has been selected as Norway's entry in the category of best international film.
How important would it be for you to get an Oscar?
Not at all, he says quickly.
But then reveals that he is still quite knowledgeable about Swedish Oscar history.
Do you know that a Swedish male actor has never won an Oscar? Max von Sydow is the only one who has been nominated so far, twice. So the chance is tiny, says Skarsgård and continues:
Then I say that it doesn't mean anything to me, but if I win I'll be really happy.
Age: 74 years.
Family: Wife and eight children. Including actors Alexander, Gustaf, Bill and Valter, as well as Kolbjörn, who can now be seen in "Färjan" on SVT.
Breakthrough: The TV series "Bombi Bitt and I", 1968.
Swedish films: Including "The Simple-Minded Murderer", "Good Evening, Mr. Wallenberg", "S/y Glädjen" and has played agent Hamilton in two films and a TV drama.
Internationally: Including five films with Lars von Trier, five films with Hans Petter Moland, five Marvel films, two "Dune" films, two "Pirates of the Caribbean", two "Mamma Mia" films, as well as "Will Hunting", "Angels and Demons" and the TV series "Chernobyl" and "Andor".
