General questionnaire to Mads Mikkelsen

Fragebogen: Mads Mikkelsen ... // Questionnaire: Mads Mikkelsen

Montag, 07.12.2009, 00:00

Der dänische Schauspieler über dümmliche Serien, thailändische Kokos-Suppe und die ökologische Wende … // The Danish actor about stupid soaps, Thai coconut soup and the ecological change



Was gefällt Ihnen an sich besonders? // What do you like the most of yourself?

Mein Enthusiasmus und meine Energie. // My enthusiasm and my energy.

Welches politische Projekt würden Sie beschleunigt wissen wollen? // Which political project should come to an end faster?

Die ökologische Wende – weg vom Erdöl. // The ecological change - no mineral oil.

Was treibt Sie an? // What drives you?

Ungerechtigkeit und Dummheit. // Injustice and stupidity.

Wem würden Sie mit welcher Begründung einen Orden verleihen? // Who would you give a medal for what reasons?

Den Brüdern Mikkelsen (keine Verwandten) für ihr Engagement mit ihrer Website „Refugees United“. Damit helfen sie durch Flucht auseinandergerissenen Familien, sich wiederzufinden. // The brothers Mikkelsen (no relatives) for their dedication to their website "Refugees United". Thus, they help families torn apart by fleeing to rediscover themselves.

Als Kind wollten Sie sein wie ...? // As a child you wanted to be like ...?

Bruce Lee.

Wie können Sie am besten entspannen? // How do you relax?

Beim Fußball, Basketball, Handball. // Playing soccer, basketball and handball.

Was ist für Sie eine Versuchung? // What is a temptation for you?

Nicht mein Bestes zu geben – das passiert aber selten. // Not to give my best - but that happens rarely.

Was war Ihr schönster Lustkauf? // What was your most beautiful pleasure buying?

Mit 20 kaufte ich mir ein altes Motorrad, Nimbus 37. Ich liebe es noch immer. // At 20, I bought an old motorcycle, Nimbus 37. I still love it.

Welches Lied singen Sie gern? // Which song do you like to sing?

„The Great Gig In The Sky“ von Pink Floyd.

Schenken Sie uns eine Lebensweisheit ... // Give us a wisdom ...

Ich mag Sören Kierkegaards Idee eines Bürgergehalts – 5000 Kronen für alle, nur für mich zwei Millionen. // I like Soren Kierkegaard's idea of a citizen's income - 5000 crowns for everyone but me for two million.

Für welche Maler würden Sie viel Geld ausgeben? // Which artist would you spend a lot of money?

Ich würde lieber einen Pianisten gut bezahlen, der Chopin für mich spielt. // I would rather pay a good pianist who played Chopin for me.

Wo hätten Sie gern Ihren Zweitwohnsitz? // Where would you like your second home?

In New York oder in Island. // In New York or in Iceland.

Was können Sie besonders gut kochen? // What you can cook very well?

Thailändische Kokos-Suppe mit Shrimps. // Thai coconut soup with shrimp.

Was wäre Ihre Henkersmahlzeit? // What would your last meal?

Ich würde, statt zu essen, lieber noch ein letztes Mal meine Kinder umarmen. // I would, instead of eating, rather hug one last time, my children.

Mit wem würden Sie gern einen Monat lang tauschen? // Who would you like to swap for a month?

Mit jemandem sehr Mächtigem wie Obama oder Merkel – um dann plötzlich etwas politisch Inkorrektes zu tun. // With someone very powerful like Obama or Angela Merkel - and then suddenly do something politically incorrect.

Hier können Sie drei Bücher loben ... // Here you can praise three books ...

Tolkiens „Herr der Ringe,“ „Die Brüder Löwenherz“ von Astrid Lindgren und „Geschichte von einer Mutter“ von Andersen. // Tolkiens "Lord of the rings" , "The Brothers Lionheart" of Astrid Lindgren and "History of a mother" of Andersen.

Wo bleiben Sie beim Zappen hängen? // Where you stay connected while zapping?

Sport, Sport, Sport.

Wo zappen Sie immer weg? // Where do you zap away?

Dümmliche Serien. // Stupid soaps.

Ihre Lieblingsschauspielerin? // Who is your favorite actress?

Meryl Streep.

Ihr Lieblingsschauspieler? // Your favorite actor?

Robert De Niro.

Ihre Lieblingsfigur in der Geschichte? // Your favorite character in the story?

Dschingis Khan.

Was sagt man Ihnen nach? // What they say about you?

Ich weiß es nicht, ich bin ja nie da. // I don't know - I'm not there.

Was mögen Sie an sich gar nicht? // What don't you like of yourself?

Ich hasse an mir nur, dass ich es nicht schaffe, das Rauchen aufzugeben... // I hate that I am not able to quit smoking ...

Ein gefährlich guter Typ

Melanie Jassner

Mads Mikkelsen ist schwierig, ernst und undurchschaubar – denkt man. Bis er vor einem steht. Ein überraschend amüsantes Gespräch über Glück, Vergebung und zweite Chancen.

„Hallo, wie geht’s?“

The Regent Hotel, Berlin, 10.00 Uhr. Mads Mikkelsen lehnt lässig am offenen Fenster, raucht eine selbst gedrehte Zigarette und ruft mir auf Deutsch ein freudiges „Hallo, wie geht’s?“ entgegen, als ich die Suite betrete, um mit ihm anlässlich seines neuen Kinofilms „Die Tür“ ein Interview zu führen.

Verwaschene Jeans, blaues Longsleeve, brauner Teint. Seine Haare sind ebenfalls braun, an manchen Stellen schon ein wenig grau, was ihn noch sexier aussehen lässt. Nachdem er mir ein Wasser eingeschenkt hat – eine sehr nette Geste für einen Dänen, wie ich später noch erfahren werde –, nimmt er sich selbst eine Cola und lässt sich entspannt auf das Sofa fallen.

COSMOPOLITAN: Herr Mikkelsen, auf Bildern sehen Sie meist sehr respekteinflößend aus. Wie gefährlich sind Sie wirklich?
Mads Mikkelsen: Extrem gefährlich! (lacht, beugt sich zu mir herüber und flüstert) Ich bin gar nicht so gefährlich, das ist alles nur Teil einer Rolle, aber das ist ein Geheimnis.

Sie haben ja sogar Humor!
Ich kann sehr lustig sein, aber ich bin definitiv kein Stand-up-Comedian. Ich liebe diesen politisch unkorrekten Humor.

Können Sie über sich selbst lachen?
Mir bleibt manchmal gar nichts anderes übrig (lacht). Ja, darin bin ich richtig gut, so wie die meisten Skandinavier.

Was ist mit Ihren Gefühlen? Lassen Sie die raus?
In der Hinsicht bin ich eher altmodisch. Ich werfe nicht gerade mit meinen Gefühlen um mich. Probleme ohne viele Worte zu lösen ist mehr mein Ding, als mit meinen Emotionen hausieren zu gehen. Ich bin ein sehr nachdenklicher Mensch und zerbreche mir über fast alles den Kopf.

Herr Mikkelsen, können Sie weinen?
Ja, wenn man mich dafür bezahlt. Nein, im Ernst, weinen ist kein Tabu in meiner Welt.

Im Film „Die Tür“ bekommen Sie eine zweite Chance, um einen großen Fehler wiedergutzumachen. Glauben Sie, dass jeder Mensch so etwas verdient?
Oh, das kommt ganz darauf an, was die Person gemacht hat. Manche Menschen haben in meinen Augen keine zweite Chance verdient. Da kann ich sehr stur sein.

Zum Beispiel?
Wenn ich jetzt ins Detail gehe, wird das nicht schön. Es ist nur so, dass sich manche Menschen so miserabel verhalten, dass ich keine Lust habe, mich noch mal mit ihnen zu beschäftigen. Dann gibt es wiederum Menschen in meinem Leben, denen würde ich immer und immer wieder eine zweite Chance geben.

Fällt es Ihnen leicht, anderen Menschen zu vergeben?
Natürlich nicht, ich bin ein Mann (grinst). Nein, manches kann ich schon vergeben, aber ich kann nicht vergessen. Egal ob in einer Beziehung oder Freundschaft.

Können Sie sich selbst Fehler verzeihen?
Ja, sehr leicht sogar. Ich glaube, das ist ganz menschlich.

Machen Sie nach einem Streit den ersten Schritt?
Kommt darauf an, was ich möchte (lacht).

Und können Sie nach einem Streit einschlafen?
Nein, nein, nein! Kein Mann kann das. Frauen schlafen ein, während Männer daliegen und nach Lösungen suchen.

Okay, jetzt mal ernsthaft …
Nein, wirklich! Das ist bei all meinen Freunden so. Frauen zeigen damit, dass sie gewonnen haben. Und einmal siegen bedeutet: Ich habe für die nächsten 30 Jahre recht.

Wann sollte man um etwas kämpfen, wann loslassen?
Wir sollten immer so lange kämpfen, bis wir keine Kraft mehr haben. Genau das macht das Leben aus.

Sind Sie Optimist oder Pessimist?
Um ehrlich zu sein, eher ein Pessimist.

Kann man sein eigenes Glück lenken?
Ja, zum Teil. Wenn Menschen mehr Glück im Leben haben als andere, dann liegt das daran, dass sie das Glück forcieren. (Mads Mikkelsen lehnt sich entspannt zurück, möchte gerade seine Füße auf den Tisch legen, als ihm einfällt, dass das unhöflich ist. Er lacht und sagt: Sorry, das ist sehr dänisch ...)

Die Füße auf den Tisch zu legen, während man sich mit einer Frau unterhält?
Dänen sind nun mal keine Italiener. Wir sind nicht so galant, vergessen öfter mal, den Frauen die Tür aufzuhalten. Aber hey, ihr habt so lange für die Gleichberechtigung gekämpft ...

Haben Sie noch andere schlechte Angewohnheiten?
(Er blickt auf seine filterlose Zigarette) Ja, das Rauchen.

Würden Sie gern aufhören?
Liebend gern. Das Ding ist nur, dass die Laster immer wieder zurückkehren. Genau das macht uns Menschen aber auch aus. Unsere Schwächen und die Hingabe zu etwas. Das kann Liebe sein, Verlangen, Ehrgeiz oder auch das Rauchen. Wir lassen uns dazu verführen, alles zu wollen, und schon wird eine schlechte Angewohnheit daraus.

Das heißt, es gibt weitere Laster?
Nein, ansonsten bin ich perfekt (lacht).

Eine Frage zum Schluss: Wo wären Sie jetzt gern?
Genau hier. Und wir reden jetzt noch ein paar Minuten, weil wir noch nicht fertig sind! Was sich wie eine Drohung anhört, ist nett gemeint, sehr nett sogar – für einen Dänen …


A dangerous good guy

Mads Mikkelsen is difficult, serious and inscrutable - you could think. Until he stands before you. A surprisingly entertaining conversation about happiness, forgiveness and second chances.

"Hello, how are you?"

The Regent Hotel in Berlin, at 10.00 clock. Mads Mikkelsen leans against the open window, smoking a selfmade cigarette and call to me in German a joyful "Hello, how are you?", as I enter the suite to have an interview with him on the occasion of his new movie "The Door".

Stonewashed jeans, blue longsleeve, brown skin. His hair is also brown, in some places a little gray, making him look even sexier. After he has offered a water to me - a very nice gesture for a Dane, as I will later learn more - he takes himself a Coke, and sat down relaxed on the sofa.

COSMOPOLITAN: Mr. Mikkelsen you usually look very authoritative on pictures. How dangerous you really are?
Extremely dangerous! (Laughs and leans over to me and whispers) I'm not so dangerous, that's all just part of a role, but that's a secret.

You have even humor!
I can be very funny, but I'm definitely not a stand-up comedian. I love the politically incorrect humor.

Do you can laugh at yourself?
I still have no choice sometimes (laughs). Yes, I'm really good in it, like most of the Scandinavians.

What about your feelings? Do you show them?
I am rather old fashioned in this way. I just do not throw with my feelings to myself. I try to solve problems without many words than to show my emotions. I am a very thoughtful man and racking my head about almost everything.

Mr. Mikkelsen, can you cry?
Yes, if you paid me for it. No seriously to cry is not taboo in my world.

In the film "The Door" you get a second chance to reverse a terrible mistake. Do you believe that every human being deserves such a thing?
Oh, it all depends on what the person has made. In my opinion some people does not deserve a second chance. Because I can be very stubborn.

For example?
When I go into detail, it won't be nice. Well, some people act so bad that I do not want have to occupy myself with them again. On the other hand there are people in my life whom I would give a second chance again and again.

It is easy for you to forgive other people?
Of course not, I am a man (smiles). No, some things I can already forgive, but I can not forget. Whether in a relationship or friendship.

Can you even forgive mistakes of yourself?
Yes, even very slightly. I think that's very human.

Take the first step after a quarrel?
It depends on what I want (laughs).

And can you fall asleep after a quarrel?
No, no, no! No man can do that. Women will fall asleep, while men lying and looking for solutions.

Ok and seriously …
No, really! It's the same with all my friends. Women are showing in this way that they have won. And to win one time means: I'm right for the next 30 years.

When you should fight for something and when you should let go?
We should always fight until we have no more strength. Exactly this is it what makes life.

Are you an optimist or a pessimist?
To be honest, more of a pessimist.

Can you draw your own luck?
Yes, partly. If people are more fortunate in life than others, then that is because they force the luck. (Mads Mikkelsen sits back relaxed, just wants to put his feet on the table when he realized that that's rude, he laughs and says:. Sorry, that's very Danish ...)

To put your feet on the table while you talk with a woman?
Danes are not Italians. We are not so gallant, often forget to hold the door for women. But hey, you've fought so long for equal rights ...

Do you have other bad habits?
(He glances at his unfiltered cigarette) Yes, smoking.

Would you like to stop it?
Love to. The thing is that the bad habits return over and over again. Exactly this is it what makes us to humans. Our weaknesses and surrender to something. That can be love, desire, ambition, or even smoking. We can tempt us to want everything, and already it becomes a bad habit.

This means that there are other vices?
No, otherwise I am perfect (laughs).

A final question: Where would you like to be right now?
Right here. And now we're talking a few minutes because we are not done yet! What sounds like a threat is meant nice, very nice, even - for a Dane ...

Böse Menschen halten sich nicht für böse
Mads Mikkelsen lebt den Moment

Andrea Niederfriniger/Filmreporter.de - 25. November 2009

Als Bösewicht Le Chiffre in "James Bond 007: Casino Royale" schafft der Däne Mads Mikkelsen den Durchbruch. Tatsächlich umgibt ihn eine Aura des Mysteriösen und Unnahbaren, als wir ihn im Berliner Hotelzimmer über seine erste deutsche Produktion "Die Tür" befragen. Seine graumelierten, strähnigen Haare fallen ihm immer wieder ins Gesicht. Anfangs streicht er sie hektisch beiseite, doch dann entspannt sich der 1,83 große Mime zunehmend. Er spricht mit uns über den Film und sein Privatleben.

Ricore: Sie haben auf Deutsch gedreht. Wie war das für Sie?

Mads Mikkelsen: Die Alternative war, eine deutsche Stimme über mein Englisch zu legen, und das wäre lächerlich gewesen. Anno hat gesagt, wir machen das so in Deutschland, das ist kein Problem. Ich dachte nur, in Dänemark machen wir sowas nicht. Also habe ich gesagt, ok, ich mache es auf Deutsch, dann könnt ihr eine Stimme drüberlegen. Natürlich war es schwierig, es ist ja nicht Dänisch. Wir haben ein paar Takes gemacht, wo ich Englisch und Jessica Deutsch gesprochen hat, aber das war noch schwieriger. Das waren in zwei verschiedene Welten. Es hat sich seltsam angefühlt. Auf Deutsch war es von der Sprache her schwierig, aber wir haben das zwischen den Takes geübt. Als Kind hatte ich Deutschunterricht in der Schule, aber das ist natürlich ganz anders.

Ricore: Wie lange haben Sie Deutsch gelernt?

Mikkelsen: Ich glaube zwei Jahre. Es war kein Hauptfach.

Ricore: Wie viele Sprachen sprechen Sie?

Mikkelsen: Nur Dänisch und Englisch. Und Schwedisch. Und jetzt auch ein bisschen Deutsch. Und ganz wenig Französisch. Und sehr wenig Russisch.

Ricore: Sie waren in vielen internationalen Produktionen. Was war das Besondere an diesem Film?

Mikkelsen: Ich fand die Geschichte von Anfang an sehr schön. Als ich sie gelesen habe, wurde ich sehr emotional. Sie war schön, einfach zauberhaft, Thriller, Drama. Es war schwierig, ein Etikett zu setzen, weil es ständig wechselt. Ich traf mich mit Anno Saul, den ich sehr mag, und habe Ja gesagt.

Ricore: Wie sind Sie zu dem Projekt gekommen?

Mikkelsen: Anno hat mich angesprochen. Er hat ein paar dänische Filme gesehen. Wir haben viel darüber geredet. Ich liebe das Skript, aber ich habe gefragt, ob er sich denn sicher sei, dass er nicht einen deutschen Schauspieler dafür finden würde? Dann hätte es die Sprachprobleme nicht gegeben. Aber er hat gesagt, er will nur mich. Dann habe ich gesagt, ok, dann mache ich es auf Deutsch.

Ricore: Glauben Sie an mysteriöse Dinge oder an Geister?

Mikkelsen: Wenn ich ein paar Bier getrunken habe und meine Freunde solche Geschichten erzählen, finde ich das sehr faszinierend. Wie viele hoffe ich, dass da noch mehr ist. Aber wir hoffen so viel, dass wir Religionen, Götter und auch Geister erschaffen. Vielleicht ist das auch ok so.

Ricore: Glauben Sie denn an etwas?

Mikkelsen: Manchmal hoffe ich, dass da mehr ist, aber ich bin mir nicht sicher. Ich habe nie etwas gesehen. Ich finde das Leben an sich schon magisch. Es ist unglaublich, dass man Babys zeugen kann. Das ist Magie genug. Das Leben ist einfach schön, wenn es irgendwo noch mehr gibt, ist das großartig.

Ricore: Gibt es etwas in Ihrer Vergangenheit, das Sie gerne ändern würden?

Mikkelsen: Nein. Wir haben darüber auch während der Dreharbeiten gesprochen. Aber zum Glück gab es keine tragischen Situationen in meinem Leben wie bei dieser Familie. In dieser Situation würde man vielleicht alles tun, um das zu ändern. Aber ich würde nicht zurück gehen, um ein paar dumme Entscheidungen in der Karriere oder meinem Privatleben zu ändern. Das gehört zum Leben. Man trifft falsche Entscheidungen und lernt daraus.

Ricore: Glauben Sie, dass wir besser werden, je älter wir werden?

Mikkelsen: Nicht unbedingt. Ich bin mir sicher, dass Hitler mit 17 ein netterer Mensch war. Es kommt darauf an, was man im Leben dazulernt. Wie viel Hass man erleben muss, wie viel Liebe man geben kann. Ich denke, das ist der Schlüssel um ein besserer Mensch zu werden.

Ricore: Wie kommen Sie damit voran?

Mikkelsen: Ich bin mir nicht sicher. Ich bin jetzt 43. Ich habe noch nicht oft zurück geblickt. Ich lebe einfach. Wenn ich mein Leben planen würde, bin ich sicher, dass ich versuchen würde, ein besserer Mensch zu werden. Ich bin mir aber auch dessen bewusst, dass ich ein gutes Leben führe und ein guter Mensch bin. Aber wenn man es richtig planen würde, könnte man sicher noch mehr erreichen.

Ricore: Aber Sie halten sich für gut genug?

Mikkelsen: Ich bin zufrieden, so wie es ist. So ist das Leben. Leben ist, was man in dem Moment ist. Die Dinge die man tut, machen die Person aus, die man ist. Aus irgendwelchen Gründen mache ich jetzt das hier und nicht etwas anderes. Ich könnte jetzt auch in Indien sein und viele arme Menschen retten. Aber aus irgendeinem Grund bin ich das nicht. Wenn ich darüber nachdenke, sollte ich das aber sein. Das sollten wir alle. Aber ich helfe vielleicht auf eine andere Art.

Ricore: Sie sind also ein Mensch, der den Moment lebt?

Mikkelsen: Ja, das würde ich sagen. Die Zukunft war immer etwas, das irgendwann kommt. Die Vergangenheit ist voll von guten und schlechten Erinnerungen, die man nutzen kann, wenn man will. Aber ich lebe sehr im Hier und Jetzt.

Ricore: Planen Sie Dinge genau oder sind Sie ein spontaner Mensch?

Mikkelsen: Ich glaube, ich bin sehr spontan. Ich habe das Skript gelesen, habe Anno getroffen und gleich gesagt, lass es uns machen. Normalerweise redet man mit Leuten darüber, ob das eine gute Idee ist. Man schaut sich seine Filme vorher an. Aber ich mochte Anno und das Skript so sehr, dass ich spontan zugesagt habe. Ich bin nicht nur beruflich, sondern auch privat spontan.

Ricore: Sie machen viele internationale Filme. Ist das für Sie auch ein Kriterium, Rollen auszuwählen?

Mikkelsen: Ich mag es. Ich habe nicht darüber nachgedacht, ob es eine gute Idee wäre, einen deutschen Film zu drehen. Ich mache die Dinge, die ich gerne mag. Es ist ein reiner Zufall, dass ich einen deutschen und einen französischen Film gedreht habe.

Ricore: Wie war die Zusammenarbeit mit Jessica Schwarz? Sie haben im Film eine sehr enge Beziehung.

Mikkelsen: Wir hatten Glück. Mit Jessica war es sehr einfach. Es ist nicht immer so, manchmal muss man mehr schauspielern. Man kann nicht voraussetzen, dass es einfach wird, immerhin ist es ein Job. Aber die Chemie war extrem gut. Sie ist eine fantastische Frau. An diesem Punkt ihrer Karriere war es sehr wichtig, dass sie eine Mutter spielt. Das hat sie zuvor noch nicht gemacht. Ich bin auch nur etwas älter als sie. Es war ganz natürlich, in die Rolle zu schlüpfen.

Ricore: Es gibt sehr explizite Sexszenen im Film. Ist es für Sie schwierig, solche Szenen zu drehen?

Mikkelsen: Für mich ist es nicht schwierig. Aber es kann schwierig werden, wenn einer der beiden nervös ist. Dann wird es ein bisschen peinlich. Wenn man so etwas dreht, darf man sich nicht auf den Sex konzentrieren, sondern auf die Emotionen der Szene. Ist es heiße Leidenschaft oder sehr einfühlsam. Wenn man sich darauf konzentriert, vergisst man den Sex dabei. Man spielt die Emotionen wie in jeder anderen Szene. Man ist einfach nur nackt (lacht). Aber es hilft, wenn beide sich wohl dabei fühlen.

Ricore: War es in diesem Fall einfach?

Mikkelsen: Ja, mit beiden Mädchen. Es war sehr unterschiedlich. Heike war nur zwei Tage da und wurde direkt hineingeschmissen. Aber sie war sehr cool und hat die Szene gleich verstanden. Es war sehr einfach mit ihr zu arbeiten. Jessica und ich kannten uns da schon eine Weile und haben es gut hingekriegt. Wir fanden die Szene sehr schön, deshalb war es nicht schwierig.

Ricore: Haben Sie zuvor darüber gesprochen und alles geplant?

Mikkelsen: Ja, bis ins Detail. Wenn man bei sowas anfängt zu improvisieren, wird es sehr schwierig. Man überlegt dann immer, wie's jetzt weiter geht. Wir haben festgelegt, wo es anfängt und wo es aufhört. Man hat gewisse Einstellungen und Einzelheiten, mit denen man arbeiten kann, damit sich jeder wohl fühlt. Damit man nicht den Regisseur neben sich stehen hat, der sagt, los, mach weiter.

Ricore: Gab es im Film die Möglichkeit zu improvisieren?

Mikkelsen: Ja, gab es. In meinem Fall war die Improvisation vor allem körperlich. Es war für mich nicht gerade einfach, auf Deutsch zu improvisieren. Wenn ich das hätte tun wollen, hätte ich Jessica vorher fragen müssen, wie man das grammatikalisch sagt. Der, die oder das (lacht). Aber bei den körperlichen Sachen konnte ich viel improvisieren.

Ricore: Improvisieren Sie gerne?

Mikkelsen: Ja, Improvisation ist eine interessante Sache. Ich mag es aber nur, wenn man weiß, worum es in der Szene geht. Wenn man weiß, wo sie anfängt und wo sie aufhört. Dann kann man improvisieren und mit schönen Ideen kommen. Aber wenn man nicht weiß, worum es in der Szene geht, dann endet das meistens mit Leuten, die herumschreien und weinen. Das ist dann wie im Schauspielunterricht. Das finde ich langweilig. Aber wenn man weiß, wo die Improvisation hinführen soll, ist das sehr schön.

Ricore: Gab es Unterschiede zwischen deutschen Filmen und anderen Projekten?

Mikkelsen: Außer der Sprache, die für mich extra Arbeit bedeutete, war nichts anders. Alles wird genauso gemacht wie bei mir zu Hause. Die Crew ist genauso groß, die Arbeitsweise ist gleich. Die Deutschen waren sehr gastfreundlich und herzlich. Es war sehr schön.

Ricore: Gibt es schon neue Pläne?

Mikkelsen: Ich werde einen Film mit einem Schweizer drehen. "Clean Out" ist ein Mafia-Film.

Ricore: Sind Sie darin böse?

Mikkelsen: Das würden Sie vielleicht so sehen, aber ich glaube nicht, dass er sich selbst als böse bezeichnen würde. Das ist ja das Problem mit bösen Menschen, sie halten sich gar nicht für böse. Aber er ist ein Mafia-Typ.

Ricore: Haben Sie Angst davor, immer für dieselben Rollen besetzt zu werden?

Mikkelsen: Nein. Ich hatte das Glück, schon Väter, Priester, Homosexuelle, Bösewichte und gute Helden spielen zu können. Ich habe gar keine Angst davor. Jeder sieht mich mit anderen Augen.

Ricore: Haben Sie ein Lieblingsgenre?

Mikkelsen: Ich würde sagen Drama. Realistische Dramen mag ich am liebsten. Aber ich mag auch schwarze Komödien oder David Lynch und die Coen-Brüder. Jedes Genre ist fantastisch, wenn man es richtig macht. Ich bevorzuge nichts, aber wenn, dann Drama.

Ricore: Wenn Sie viel unterwegs sind, können Sie das mit Ihrem Familienleben verbinden?

Mikkelsen: Das ist absolut unmöglich. Es war zwei Jahre lang sehr schwierig, weil ich viel zu oft weit weg gearbeitet habe. Wir müssen das jetzt anders planen. Es hat zwar Spaß gemacht, aber so kann ich nicht weiter machen.

Ricore: Dann haben Sie definitiv beschlossen, kürzer zu treten?

Mikkelsen: Ja. Gerade passiert sehr viel und ich muss statt zwei Projekte anzunehmen, mich nur für eins entscheiden. Aber das ist ok. So ist das Leben.

Ricore: Manche sagen ja, die Familie kann einen am Set besuchen.

Mikkelsen: Sie kommt ja auch vorbei, aber das ist nicht das gleiche. Das sind nur Besuche und kein miteinander Leben. Wir müssen für die nächsten Jahre einen Plan schmieden.

Ricore: Schade, dass Sie gerade jetzt kürzer treten müssen.

Mikkelsen: Aber wenn ich es nicht tun würde, würde ich immer mehr arbeiten und immer weniger vom Leben haben. Deshalb müssen wir eine Lösung finden. Wir werden es kombinieren, sodass alle damit glücklich sind.

Ricore: Vielen Dank für das Gespräch.



Evil men do not consider themselves evil
Mads Mikkelsen lives the moment


As the villain Le Chiffre in "James Bond 007: Casino Royale," the Dane Mads Mikkelsen creates a breakthrough. There's an aura of mystery and unapproachable, as we ask him in the Berlin hotel room on his first German production "The Door". His graying, stringy hair to fall again in the face. At first, he sweeps them aside hectic, but then the grand actor 1.83 m relaxed more. He talks to us about the film and his personal life.


Ricore: You've made a movie in German. How was it for you?

Mads Mikkelsen: The alternative was to place a German voice over my English, and that would have been ridiculous. Anno has said, we do it every time in Germany, and that's not a problem. I just thought, in Denmark we do not do that. So I said, okay, I'll do it in German, then you can put your voice over it. Of course it was difficult, it's not Danish. We have done a few takes, where I spoke English and Jessica German, but it was more difficult. This was two different worlds. It just felt weird. In German, it was difficult in terms of language, but we have practiced between takes. As a child I had German lessons at school, but that is obviously quite different.

Ricore: How long have you studied German?

Mikkelsen: I believe two years. It wasn't a major subject.

Ricore: How many languages do you speak?

Mikkelsen: Only Danish and English. And Swedish. And now, a little German. And very little French. And very little Russian.

Ricore: You've made a lot of international productions. What was so special about this movie?

Mikkelsen: I liked the story from the beginning. When I read it, I was very emotional. She was beautiful, simply enchanting, thriller, drama. It was difficult to put a label, because it constantly changes. I met with Anno Saul, whom I like very much, and I said yes.

Ricore: How did you come to the project?

Mikkelsen: Anno asked me. He has seen a couple of Danish films. We talked a lot about it. I love the script, but I have wondered whether he was sure that he would not find a German actor for that? Then there wouldn't be the language problems. But he said he just wants me. Then I said, okay, I'll do it in German.

Ricore: Do you believe in ghosts or mysterious things?

Mikkelsen: If I drank a few beers and my friends tell those stories, I 'm very fascinated. Like many, I hope that there's more. But we hope so much that we created religions, gods and ghosts. Maybe that's ok.

Ricore: Do you believe in something?

Mikkelsen: Sometimes I hope that there is more, but I'm not sure. I've never seen anything. I think, life is magical. It's unbelievable that you can make babies. This is magic enough. Life is simply wonderful, if somewhere is still more, that's great.

Ricore: Is there something in your past that you would like to change?

Mikkelsen: No. We have talked about it during the filming. But fortunately there were no tragic situations in my life as with this family. In this situation you would probably do anything to change that. But I would not go back to change some stupid decisions in my career or personal life. That's part of life. You meet the wrong decisions and learns from it.

Ricore: Do you think we are better, the older we get?

Mikkelsen: Not necessarily. I'm sure that Hitler at the age of 17 was a better person. It depends on what one learns in life. How much hatred do you have to get through, how much love you can give. I think that's the key to a better person.

Ricore: As you move forward with it?

Mikkelsen: I'm not sure. I am now 43 years old. I have not looked back often. I live simply. If I would plan my life, I am sure that I would try to become a better person. I am also aware of the fact that I live a good life and am a good person. But if you would plan it right, you could certainly do more.

Ricore: But you think, that you are good enough?

Mikkelsen: I'm happy, how it is. That's life. Life is, what you are in this moment. The things you're doing are that, what makes you, what you are. For some reasons I'm doing this here and nothing different. I could be in India now and save many poor people. But for some reason I'm not doing this. When I'm thinking over it, I should be there. We are should do that. But maybe I'm helping in a different way.

Ricore: So you're a man, who's living in the moment?

Mikkelsen: Yeah, I would say so. The future was everytime something for me, which would come someday. The history is full of good and bad memories, which you can use, if you want it. But I'm very living here and now.

Ricore: Are you planning a lot or are you spontaneous?

Mikkelsen: I believe, I'm very spontaneous. I've read the script, met Anno and said at once: Let's do it. Normally you'd talking with others, if this is a good idea. You'd watch his other movies. But I really liked Anno and the script, that I spontaneous said yes. I'm spontaneous not only in my job, but in private too.

Ricore: You're making a lot of international movies. Is this a reason to choose a role?

Mikkelsen: I like it. I didn't thought, whether it's a good idea to make a German movie or not. I'm doing things, I like to. It was just by chance, that I've made a German and a French movie.

Ricore: How it was to work together with Jessica Schwarz? You have a close relationship in the movie.

Mikkelsen: We were very lucky. It was very simple with Jessica. That's not always so, sometimes you have to act more. You can't assume, that it will be easy. It's a job! But the chemistry was extremely good. She's a fantastic woman. At this point of her career it was important to play a mother. She never done this before. I'm only few years older than her. It was very naturally to play this role.

Ricore: There are some very detailed sex scenes in the movie. Is it difficult for you to make such scenes?

Mikkelsen: For me it isn't difficult. But it could be difficult, when one is nervous. Then it will be a little bit embarrassing. When you're making such a scene, you mustn't concentrate on the sex, but on the emotions of the scene. Is it hot temptation or very sensitive. If you're concentrate on that, you forget the sex. You're acting emotions like in every other scene. You're only naked (laughs). But it helps, when both are feeling comfortable.

Ricore: Was it simple in that movie?

Mikkelsen: Yes with both girls. It was very different. Heike was there only two days and was bashed into. But she was very cool and understood the scene at once. It was easy to work with her. Jessica and I knew each other a while then and we've made it good. We liked the scene and so it wasn't difficult.

Ricore: Did you talked about it bevor and did you planned it?

Mikkelsen: Yes. In every detail. If you start to improvise it is very difficult. You always thinking, what will happen next. We've made a plan, where to start and where to end. You have some shoots and details, with which you can work, so you can feel comfortable. Then you won't have the director standing near you, who says: Come on! More!

Ricore: Could you improvise in the movie?

Mikkelsen: Yeah, there were some possibilities. I have improvised with my body. It wasn't easy for me to improvise in German. If I would have done it, I had to asked Jessica, how to say it with the right grammar. "Der", "die" or "das" [German articles] (laughs). But with my body I could improvise very much.

Ricore: Do you like to improvise?

Mikkelsen: Yes, to improvise is an interesting thing. But I only like it, when you know, what's the scene about. When you know, where it starts and where it ends. Then you can improvise and have good ideas. But if you don't know it, then it usually ends with people who are shouting and crying. That's like acting classes. That's boring. But if you know, how the improvisation should end, then it's great.

Ricore: Are there differences between German movies and other projects?

Mikkelsen: It was only the language different, which means more work for me. It's the same like in Denmark. The Crew is as big as there and the way to work is similar. The Germans are very hospitable and kind. That was very nice.

Ricore: Do you have some other plans?

Mikkelsen: I will make a movie with a Swiss. "Clean out" will be a movie about the Mafia.

Ricore: Are you the bad boy?

Mikkelsen: You would think so, but I don't believe, that he would call himself a bad boy. That's the problem with the bad guys, they don't believe, that they are bad. But he's one of the Mafia.

Ricore: Are you afraid to get only the same roles?

Mikkelsen: No. I was lucky to be able to play fathers, priests, gay guys, bad boys and good heroes. I don't have any fear. Everybody sees me with a different view.

Ricore: Do you have a favorite genre?

Mikkelsen: I would say drama. I like realistic dramas the most. But I like black comedies or David Lynch or the Coen-Brothers too. Every genre is fantastic, if you're doing it right. But I don't prefer anything, but if, then it would be the drama.

Ricore: When you're a lot out of buisness, could you combine it with your family life?

Mikkelsen: That's absolute impossible. It was very difficult for two years, because I've worked a lot away from home. But now we have to plan it a different way. It was a lot of fun, but I can't go further that way.

Ricore: So you're decided to make less movies?

Mikkelsen: Yes. It happen a lot this time and I have to decide for one projects than to take both. But that's alright. That's life.

Ricore: Some say, that your family could visit you at the setting.

Mikkelsen: They visit me, but that's not the same. That are only visits and no living together. We have to make a plan for the next years.

Ricore: It's sad, that you have to cut down at this time.

Mikkelsen: But if I wouldn't, I would work more and more and have less from life. That's why we have to find a solution. We will combine it, so that we are all happy with it.

Ricore: Thank you for the interview.

(translated by Luin)

MADS MIKKELSEN: KUN MACHO OVER FOR KONEN

Af Michael Frank MøllerTirsdag 13. oktober 2009 06:32

Franskmændene er vilde med danskeren her op til premieren på "Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky"

Mads Mikkelsen påstår godt nok selv, at han ikke er sådan særlig kendt ude i den store verden, men når franskmændene i disse dage åbner magasinet Madame, optræder han i fransk modetøj og lapset, som man sjældent ser den seje dansker.

Ikke nok med det. Den franske avis Le Figaro bringer både videointerview og her i weekenden også et stort portræt af danskeren.

En sjælden anerkendelse fra franskmændenen, der normalt ikke er sådan at dupere og egentlig har nok i deres egne.

Årsagen til den store interesse er, at filmen "Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky" nærmer sig sin franske premiere. Mads Mikkelsen spiller hovedrollen.
I magasinet Madame optræder Mikkelsen bestemt ikke som en viking. Tværtimod er han lettere lapset. I Figaro bliver han direkte spurgt:

- Er du macho?

Og Mads svarer, som enhver metroseksuel og moderne mand bør i dag:

- Ikke det mindste - undtagen over for min kone.


Mads Mikkelsen: Only macho with his wife

By Michael Frank Møller Tuesday 13th oktober 2009 06:32 October 2009 06:32

The French are crazy about Dane here up to the premiere of "Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky"

Mads Mikkelsen claims well enough himself that he is not so well known in the big world, but when the French these days opens the magazine Madame, he appears in French fashions and foppish, who rarely sees the tough Dane.

Not only that. The French newspaper Le Figaro brings both video interview and this weekend is also a large portrait of the Dane.

A rare recognition from the French that usually are not such to dupe and really have enough of their own.

The reason for the great interest is that the film "Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky" is approaching its French premiere. Mads Mikkelsen plays the main role.
In the magazine Madame occurs Mikkelsen certainly not as a Viking. Rather, he is easier foppish. In Figaro, he directly asked:

- Are you macho?

And Mads products for any metrosexual modern man should today:

- Not at all - except to my wife.

MADS MIKKELSEN – MOST WANTED

Mon, Sep 10, 2012 By Pierre de Villiers

Hugely talented but unfussy Danish star Mads Mikkelsen has become one of the most sought after actors in the world.

Mads Mikkelsen has had an incredible few months. Not only did the Danish star win the Best Actor award in Cannes for The Hunt but he also recently landed the highly coveted role of Hannibal Lecter in new American TV series Hannibal. Then there is the Hollywood romantic comedy The Necessary Death of Charlie Countryman he has just shot in Romania and Danish road movie Move On, which is currently being filmed in Croatia. Run off his feet, it is hardly surprising that Scandinavia’s most in-demand thespian, while grateful for his career purple patch, is contemplating an extended break from acting when he sits down for a chat.

“I could easily take three years off and just do sports,” Mikkelsen says. “I would watch everything I could watch and participate in everything I can participate in. I love bike riding, playing football and tennis. I become a little kid every time I do it. So, if I had the money, I would take that break. It’s not like I miss acting like a crazy madman after a few months of not working.”


Home comforts

For now, the hiatus has to wait as film-makers from across the globe continue to scroll to his number on their smartphones. It is easy to understand why so many people believe the Dane is great. Those who have worked with Mikkelsen applaud the fact that he is fiercely talented and focused on set without ever acting like a prima donna. When the cameras stop rolling, he comes across as warm and grounded, avoiding the celebrity scene to spend time in Copenhagen with wife Hanne Jacobsen and teenage children Viola and Carl.

“I enjoy just sitting on my bench at home looking out over nothing,” he says. “And I enjoy seeing the neighbours, seeing friends and seeing the family. I travel way too much in my professional life so usually I am just happy staying at home in Copenhagen.”

Mikkelsen’s love for the country of his birth has seen him steadfastly support the Danish film industry, playing, among others, a restless traveller in Asger Leth’s Move On, a one-eyed warrior in Nicolas Winding Refn’s Valhalla Rising and a teacher accused of child abuse in Thomas Vinterberg’s The Hunt. Ask the actor what he enjoys about working on Danish films and he enthuses about the brilliant scripts that have come his way and the joy of being able to craft something special despite having a budget that wouldn’t even cover the catering bill on the latest Hollywood superhero film.


A royal succes

A case in point is A Royal Affair – one of Mikkelsen’s most recent Danish films. Nikolaj Arcel’s period drama sees the actor playing controversial royal physician Johann Friedrich Struensee who, by manipulating mentally ill King Christian VII, became one of the most influential men in 18th century Denmark, before his commitment to Enlightenment led to his downfall and that of his lover, Queen Caroline Mathilde. Despite a modest budget and largely unknown cast, the film is an affair to remember, featuring brilliant performances and lavish backdrops.

“We had only about 8 or 9 million dollars but what they did with that money was pure magic,” says Mikkelsen. “When you are standing in an enormous castle that is 40 yards to the ceiling and you have all these beautiful people dressed up, you have the carte blanche to go, hey we are allowed to be romantic. It was such a wonderful environment. The main cast members constantly got together in the evening discussing what we were doing the next day. It’s great when you say – this is the start, this is our goal, this is a little group, let’s go for it and do our very best. When I experience that it reminds me why I love acting. It can be such a fantastic, beautiful job.”


A lucky escape

Given his working-class background, acting was not exactly a natural career choice for Mikkelsen. Born in the Osterbro area of Copenhagen, he spent his teenage years in the sort of establishments you won’t find on the Sunset Strip. “Where I grew up was a real working-class area where you had old man’s pubs,” he recalls, with a chuckle. “When I started having beers I was doing it, not at the disco or the cool parties, but at the old man’s pubs. I grew up there with my brother [fellow actor Lars Mikkelsen] and friends.”

As a youngster Mikkelsen excelled at gymnastics, a skill that probably ended up saving his life years later. “I have this 1937 Danish Nimbus motorcycle I ride around on in Denmark and had a crash a few years ago,” he explains. “I stopped at a red light and the next thing I knew there was a car driving right in front of me. I crashed into it and went flying. Somehow I managed to flip in the air and land on my feet. I’m not sure how I did it but it might be the fact that I have a gymnastic background.”

Mikkelsen eventually swapped gymnastics for dancing and, after studying at the ballet academy in Gothenburg for a year, danced professionally for almost a decade. “I was on stage constantly, sometimes doing musicals,” he recalls. “Being a dancer comes in handy in a lot of situations as an actor, especially when you are dealing with stunts. And I would tear up the contract if someone else were doing my stunts. I say, ‘That is why I am in the film. I don’t have the cool lines, I have the cool stunts and I will not give them away’.”


Sex and drugs

After entering Denmark’s state-sponsored theatre academy, Mikkelsen’s big break as an actor arrived in 1996 with Pusher, Nicolas Winding Refn’s drug-fuelled drama that marked the start of a long-time collaboration with the director. By 2000, he was a household name in Denmark thanks to crime TV series ­Rej­se­holdet, a four-year gig that not only highlighted his acting talent but also his sex appeal. A Danish women’s magazine declared Mikkelsen The Sexiest Man in the World, a label that is still frequently attached to the 46-year-old.

“I guess they have to label someone the sexiest person in the world, and it is always someone who is on telly even if it’s the weatherman,” the actor shrugs. “For a couple of years it was me and then it was someone else. It’s nicer being the sexiest man than the most ugly man. I live with it, and I don’t mind it, but I don’t go around with a big smile on my face everyday.”

Mikkelsen’s striking looks helped him land his first blockbuster role, playing a knight in King Arthur (2004) before he jumped on board the 007 juggernaut as James Bond villain Le Chiffre in Casino Royale in 2006. His memorable turn as the blood-weeping bad guy boosted his career at a time when the Dane was experienced enough to handle all the extra attention.

“After Casino Royale the pile of scripts I got sent got bigger and then you have a better chance that there might be something interesting in there,” he says. “But it didn’t change my life at all. I was in my 30s when the film came out so I wasn’t flabbergasted about what was happening. I knew exactly how it worked. This girl, she would not even look at me yesterday and now things have changed. So I can do the math. But being in a Bond film does make certain things easier.”


Family matters

Being part of cinema’s longest running franchise has certainly made it easier for Mikkelsen to land roles in other blockbusters, like Clash of the Titans in 2010. And while doing a popcorn flick doesn’t exactly test his acting chops, it allows him to spend some quality time with his kids on set.

“On some of the bigger films it is obviously more interesting for my kids coming to set and watching when you have giant scorpions and machinery that works in a fun way,” says the Dane, who, before tucking into someone’s liver as Hannibal, will be seen in French period drama Michael Kohlhaas. “They do join me if I am away for a long time if it fits in with their school holidays. If there is something interesting happening on set, I will definitely bring them. When I do stunts, I find it supercool that they are watching it.”

If Mikkelsen can’t hang out on set with his kids over the next few months, he will make time for a family holiday. “Sometimes the family is desperate to go somewhere and I’m like, OK then, let’s go,” the actor says as he gets ready to dash off to his next appointment. “I shut up and they decide, but personally I always wanted to travel across the United States because it is an enormous land with so many different kinds of people and a variety in the scenarios. When you are working in the States, you tend to touch down in a plane and then use a plane to get to the next place without really seeing anything. It’ll be nice to take a break and do a proper trip.”

Mads Mikkelson interview: Mads about the boy

Published on Wednesday 25 February 2009 00:25

DENMARK'S answer to George Clooney was a gymnast and dancer before he hit the big screen. Now he's a reluctant leading man who won't move to LA, finds Sheila Johnston answer to George Clooney was a gymnast and dancer before he hit the big screen. Now he's a reluctant leading man who won't move to LA, finds Sheila Johnston

MADS MIKKELSON is regularly voted the sexiest man in Denmark, sometimes the sexiest in the world. The American showbusiness newspaper Variety once described him as his country's answer to George Clooney.

Yet he is the most reluctant of leading men, one who, like Clooney, has gone far out of his way to catch the curveball roles. In this country he is best known for his last film, Casino Royale. At the time, all eyes were on Daniel Craig's debut as the new James Bond, but Mikkelsen's decadent Le Chiffre – poker player extraordinaire, banker to world terrorism, flogger of 007's most delicate body parts and weeper of crocodile tears of blood – certainly gave Craig a run for his money. In fact, Mikkelsen has cornered the market in one-eyed antiheroes (the other one is an escaped Viking slave in the forthcoming Scottish epic Valhalla Rising, of which more later).

"Yes, looks like it," he concurs genially. Denmark's George Clooney has invited me up to his London hotel room (unfortunately, it's just because he wants to be able to smoke) and looks at once pleased and embarrassed when reminded of his reputation. "Ooooh, I don't know about that," sighs the 43-year-old, mock-mournfully. "Not getting any younger!"

Flame & Citron

Mikkelsen's next film will do nothing to reinforce his status as a heartthrob, and everything to boost him as a serious actor. Set in 1944, Flame & Citron chronicles the daredevil exploits of two real-life members of the Danish Resistance, Bent Faurschou-Hviid and Jrgen Haagen Schmith, code names Flame and Citron.

But these are no old-style heroics. Instead, the freedom fighters are shadowy, ruthless, treacherous (the film is strongly influenced by Jean-Pierre Melville's 1969 classic, Army of Shadows, which portrayed the French Resistance as a band of gangsters). As the shabby, bespectacled Citron, Mikkelsen is a bundle of neuroses permanently covered in stubble and nervous sweat. "He was a workaholic, an alcoholic and a drug addict," he says. "He took amphetamines just to keep awake and they made him sweat a lot. But I kind of liked him. He's a pretty cool guy. And I'm not doing films to be glamorous."

The film has shocked Danish audiences. "Flame and Citron are very famous. And, as with a lot of heroes, people tended to put them on a pedestal. This shows the Resistance in a murky light for the first time in Denmark. You must understand that we were not used to war. We were a very civilised nation and sneaking up from behind and shooting someone in the back of the neck is very different from shooting at someone who is shooting at you. Flame and Citron killed people who were not supposed to be killed.

"I never spoke to Citron's family. He had a wife and a daughter, and the daughter committed suicide. A lot of the Resistance kids did that. They had a very, very strange relationship with their fathers, and if they didn't commit suicide, their fathers did. They were living with too big a burden."

Six foot tall, Mikkelsen is, in person, taller and more muscular than he appears on screen. His cat-like grace betrays his background as a gymnast and professional dancer. "It was a real Billy Elliot story," he says wryly. "My family was working-class: my dad was a trade union official, my mum was a nurse and, after high school, I was a gymnast, on a fairly high level, competing nationally. One day a choreographer came looking for people who were able to jump in the air and do flips and stuff, for a musical. She asked me if I had any interest in taking dance classes and I thought, 'Yeah, why not?'

"At first I had a hard time telling my friends, but I was making a lot of money, because there was always a shortage of male dancers. I studied classical and contemporary ballet and went to Martha Graham's studio in New York. That was eight or nine years of my life." During this period Mikkelsen met his wife of 22 years, Hanne, also a dancer; they have two children.

Through musicals, he was drawn to acting, and applied to drama school. His screen debut, Pusher (1996), about drug dealers, was fortuitously timed: Lars Von Trier's Dogme manifesto had just made low-budget grunge fashionable. Though Pusher itself was not a Dogme film, it was a hit and Mikkelsen's career was launched.

Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky

He will shortly be seen in Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky, one of three forthcoming biopics about the couturier (she is played in this film by Anna Mouglalis). "Stravinsky was way smaller than me, and I don't look at all like him. But I decided early on that his music would be the key. A lot of it starts out very romantic, very beautiful, almost like a film melody that would win an Oscar, and within 20 seconds he starts mucking it up and taking it somewhere else.

"So he must have had some unexplainable inner energy. I believe he was a strong character, who would fill up the room. Very arrogant. We catch him at a time when he is falling heavily in love with Coco, who was like that as well, so there were two egos clashing."


Valhalla Rising

Also coming soon: Valhalla Rising, set in the Highlands in 900AD and directed by Nicolas Winding Refn, who made Pusher. Mikkelsen's runaway slave is one-eyed, mute and covered with elaborate woad markings. "In the beginning you think, 'This is going to be a piece of cake. No lines to learn!' Then you realise it's very complicated to express yourself without dialogue. But my character is more like a myth than a real person. I would say the film is an epic, loving tribute to Sergio Leone and Kurosawa."

Mikkelsen has now made two films in Scotland, the other being the dark comedy Wilbur Wants To Kill Himself (2002). "I love the accent, the midges and the strange, strange weather," he says, adding jokingly, "The Scots are full of shit, and that's something we Danes are full of as well. It must be genetic, because we went there lots of times. We have as our neighbours on the one side Sweden and on the other Germany, but we have very little in common with them in terms of our sense of humour. We're much more like you, definitely."

Despite his fast-rising international profile, he has no plans to leave home. "I enjoy being Danish and part of Europe. There are a lot of interesting new things going on in Denmark right now. I was never a big fan of the Dogme concept, but I can't complain because it put us on the map: it was a nice PR trick." Notwithstanding, Mikkelsen appeared in one of the best Dogme films, Open Hearts, though so far he has never worked with Von Trier himself.

"My base is Copenhagen – my roots, my language, my house are there. I don't want to drag my kids around just because Dad's ambitious. There are already too many people running round LA, trying to make it, knocking on doors and taking off their hats. I see no reason to do that."

Flame and Citron is released on 6 March

BACKGROUND

THE Viking adventure movie Valhalla Rising, starring Mads Mikkelsen as a mute warrior, was filmed in Scotland last year in a ten-week shoot. This week, filming began in the Highlands on director Neil Marshall's Centurion, a sword-and-sandals thriller starring Michael Fassbender, Dominic West (best known as Detective McNulty in The Wire) and Bond girl Olga Kurylenko, right. Centurion is produced by Christian Colson, who scored a huge success with Slumdog Millionaire.

So are things looking up for Scotland as a film location? Maybe. Film production spending in Scotland fell by nearly a half last year from 6.6 million to 3.6m, but experts at Scottish Screen hope filming here will rebound after a sharp fall in the pound. "All UK feature film production did dip last year, not just Scotland," says Scottish Screen locations chief, Belle Doyle. "We are expecting it will be a lot better this year because we are a cheaper destination, the dollar and the euro are both stronger against the pound."

And a Scottish-Irish co-production, Outcast, is now in pre-production and will be filming in and around Edinburgh. Described as a "Celtic horror film", it stars James Nesbitt as a killer in pursuit of his former lover. A French feature film and a German television film are also due to start shooting footage in Scotland shortly.

Television is increasingly important though, particularly BBC drama, with spending rising from 8 million to 18.5 million in 2008, on shows from The 39 Steps to Hope Springs and a children's series called Waybaloo, billed as the new Teletubbies.