SVT's remake of "The Salt Crow" is set in the 2020s but is based on Astrid Lindgren's original script. For Henrik Norlén, who plays Melker, the "Salt Crow" feeling already came to him on the way to the filming location this summer.
I was sitting there on deck, the wind was blowing and behind the Swedish flag was chasing the boat. Then you felt: “That’s a little Melker, now he’s on his way out,” says Henrik Norlén.
He describes stepping into Astrid Lindgren's universe as Uncle Melker as an honor. Nora Rios, who plays Malin, feels the same way but also finds it a challenge to take on such a classic role.
People have expectations, which is completely natural. Everyone has seen it in my generation and up. But it's also fun to bring the legacy to life and let it reach a new audience, she says.
Loving the original
When SVT first announced the remake in 2021, the announcement was met with criticism on the culture pages. Actor Ulf Brunnberg also joined the debate; in SVT's "The Meeting", he called the remake "politically correct". Louise Edlind Friberg, who played Malin in the original, however, thought that: "The Salt Crow can continue to be a community-building image of Sweden, but one that is a little broader. An image of Sweden that is not so blonde and blue-eyed".
"I haven't followed the debate. But we have been very traditional and loving towards the original," says director Fredrik Edfeldt.
Henrik Norlén believes that the biggest difference between the original version and the new one is the external details.
Melker writes on a computer instead of a typewriter, and the characters have contemporary references.
Nora Rios laughs and adds:
It's a remake, but the wonderful Astrid Lindgren story remains. We've done everything we can to preserve the essence of it, that's been really important. But since it takes place 60 years later than the original, new standards also come with it.
“Oh, how difficult”
Fredrik Edfeldt thinks it has been fun, enjoyable but also scary to take on the classic.
When I was asked the question, I thought: “What a great idea – and how fun!” But then the next thought came: “Wow, how difficult,” he says.
Despite the pressure to make a new interpretation, Edfeldt thinks that the recording went smoothly. Astrid Lindgren's characters and love of nature were an engine that gave extra pep.
"I know Astrid Lindgren so well that I think she would have thought it was in her spirit. I hope so," says Fredrik Edfeldt.
"Vi på Saltkråkan" premieres on October 31 on SVT. The series consists of six episodes.
The series takes place in the 2020s and viewers get to follow Tjorven, her companions Båtsman, Stina, Pelle, Melker, Malin with little Skrållan and a number of other well-known characters from the original.
Cast: Vega Åhman - Tjorven, Nora Rios - Malin, Henrik Norlén - Melker, Elton Larsson - Pelle, Lovisa Lindblad - Stina, and others.
SF Studios has produced the series together with SVT, Film Stockholm and Astrid Lindgren AB.
Fredrik Edfeldt is the director, Karin Arrhenius is the screenwriter.
The original series, written by Astrid Lindgren and directed by Olle Hedbom, was broadcast in 1964 in 13 episodes.
Source: SVT.
