Mads Mikkelsen "Screen" Scans
Mads Mikkelsen is the cover of November's Screen magazine in Japan!
A few points from the interview because I'm too lazy/my kanji isn't good enough to translate it all:
- thinks Hannibal is a beautiful and artistic show, and was a wonderful challenge for him.
- on how he approaches playing a character like Hannibal Lecter: it's difficult because of course they are nothing alike and have nothing in common, "because I have no interest in eating people, or in killing people." Good to know, Mads. But Hannibal finds beauty in those things, so when playing those scenes he just tries to think about things that he finds beautiful.
- talks about how the fans of the show are especially enthusiastic and important.
- doesn't really watch many dramas himself because he doesn't have time... but he does like The Walking Dead and watches 6-7 episodes at once when he has time to catch up.
- he really really really loves sports so always tends to wear sporty clothes in case the opportunity arises, a fact that annoys his wife. If he sees anyone playing baseball or basketball, he wants to be able to join in straight away.
- it mentions he looks really happy when talking about sports and his jerseys
- apparently he's never really counted but probably has over 10... and his favourite one is yellow.
If anyone wants to translate it fully I can upload bigger pics if needed.
And since this is an appropriate post, let us take a moment to appreciate his work outside of Hannibal. So please enjoy some introductions to films of his you may not be aware of...
The Hunt (Jagten - 2012)
This film is incredibly painful to watch. Lucas, a kind-hearted kindergarten teacher, is falsely accused of molesting one of the children, and things just get worse and worse for him as the lie spreads throughout the community. Mads' performance is heartbreaking and you will probably cry. An excellent movie, though.
A Royal Affair (En kongelig affare - 2012)
One of my favourite movies! A historical drama based on the love triangle between the insane Danish king Christian VII, his queen Caroline Mathilda, and the king's physician Struensee. The queen and Struensee bond over their radical political ideas and desire to change Denmark. Gorgeous, romantic, dramatic and heartbreaking, I feel like everyone should watch this.
Mads is amazing as Struensee, an excellent role for him. (Plus long hair and period dress)
Flame & Citron (Flammen & Citronen - 2008)
A Noirish film about, as the DVD cover exclaims, "DANISH NAZI ASSASSINS!!!".
Flame and Citron are members of the anti-Nazi Danish resistance during the Second World War, and mostly hunt down Nazi-collaborators. It was adapted from historical events, but was fairly controversial as its portrayal of Flame and Citron was not overly flattering.
Interesting movie, though quite depressing as is to be expected.
Mads is fascinating as Citron, and seems to spend the movie perpetually sweaty for some reason.
Open Hearts (Elsker dig for evigt - 2002)
While the handheld camera work took a little getting used to, this is an excellent heartbreaking drama. It focuses on a young couple who have just got engaged, Cecilie and Joachim, when Joachim is hit by a car, and becomes paralysed. The car was driven by a woman named Marie, who by coincidence is married to Niels, a doctor who works at the hospital where Joachim is being treated.
As Joachim pushes Cecilie away, she becomes closer to Niels who she goes to for advice and comfort.
Another one that's painful to watch, I spend most of this movie wanting to punch Mads' character (Niels) in the face.
However, it is amazing with an appropriately ambiguous ending.
After the Wedding (Efter brylluppet - 2006)
Mads plays Jacob, a man who lives in Bombay and helps run an orphanage. But they are desparate for money, and one day receive an offer from a rich Danish businessman, Jorgen. But in order to obtain the money, he's required to return to Denmark.
Jacob is then given little choice but to attend the wedding of Jorgen's daughter, and discovers something that means he may not be able to return to India.
Another fairly sad and dramatic movie, it's well done, though.
Pusher & Pusher II (1996/2004)
Focused on the criminal underworld of Copenhagen, Mads plays Tonny, who is basically the stupid sidekick to other drug dealers. He has a minor role in the first movie (though it's still really good so you should watch it) but is the focus of the second. It starts with him being released from prison, and trying to get on his father's good side by working for him in a cycle of crime and drugs.
Tonny is dumb, gross, and yet endearing. When he discovers he's fathered a baby his outlook on life gradually begins to change.
I really wasn't expecting to love this movie, but it's amazing and has a perfect ending. Also lots of naked Mads.
The Salvation (2014)
Ok, this one really wasn't my kind of thing. It's... a western. And very straightforward. Mads plays a guy who's out for revenge when his wife and son get killed.
It's probably great if you like the genre. My least favourite of the ones listed here.
Didn't really show off Mads' range at all, but he's all rugged with a beard?
Charlie Countryman (2013)
Mads isn't reallllly a main character in this, but I thought it (and he) was great so included it.
It follows Charlie who goes to Bucharest on the advice of his dead mother. It's a fairly surreal but beautiful film, about Charlie falling in love with a girl, Gabi, who has a dangerous and possessive (ex)husband, Nigel (Mads).
It got horrible reviews, but I really enjoyed it. And Mads is amazing as Nigel, please enjoy his dog shirt.
Shake It All About (En kort en lang - 2001)
Ah, Mads' gay romcom. Mads plays Jacob, who is happily in love and newly engaged to his boyfriend.
However he drunkenly discovers he has feelings for his future sister-in-law, and they begin an affair.
I have so many mixed feelings about this movie... I know a lot of people love it, but the plot was just a bit too painful for me to be happy about the weirdly convenient happy ending.
Another one where you want to slap Mads' character for being a horrible cheater.
On the other hand, Mads is super young and adorable in this.
Green Butchers (De gronne slagtere - 2003)
Mads plays "Sweaty Svend", an assistant butcher who decides to open his own butcher's shop along with his friend Bjarne. Thanks to... circumstances... they somehow end up selling human flesh, which turns out to be a great hit. An amazing dark comedy by Anders Thomas Jensen, it's bizarre, gross, and very funny. The humour isn't for everyone, but I think if you enjoy British comedy you will enjoy this too.
Adam's Apples (Adams Abler - 2005)
Wanted to include one more comedy because so many of his films are depressing... Adam's Apples is another ATJ dark comedy where this time Mads plays a priest, Ivan, who helps rehabilitate newly released prisoners. His newest charge is Adam, a neo-Nazi, and he really wants to help Adam achieve his "dream" of making an apple pie.
Of course, Ivan has his own problems and his relentless optimism might in fact be hiding something... or many things.
Tragic yet funny and touching, this film is amazing.
All scans and words are my own, all movie images from here.
What's your favourite Mads movie?
A few points from the interview because I'm too lazy/my kanji isn't good enough to translate it all:
- thinks Hannibal is a beautiful and artistic show, and was a wonderful challenge for him.
- on how he approaches playing a character like Hannibal Lecter: it's difficult because of course they are nothing alike and have nothing in common, "because I have no interest in eating people, or in killing people." Good to know, Mads. But Hannibal finds beauty in those things, so when playing those scenes he just tries to think about things that he finds beautiful.
- talks about how the fans of the show are especially enthusiastic and important.
- doesn't really watch many dramas himself because he doesn't have time... but he does like The Walking Dead and watches 6-7 episodes at once when he has time to catch up.
- he really really really loves sports so always tends to wear sporty clothes in case the opportunity arises, a fact that annoys his wife. If he sees anyone playing baseball or basketball, he wants to be able to join in straight away.
- it mentions he looks really happy when talking about sports and his jerseys
- apparently he's never really counted but probably has over 10... and his favourite one is yellow.
If anyone wants to translate it fully I can upload bigger pics if needed.
And since this is an appropriate post, let us take a moment to appreciate his work outside of Hannibal. So please enjoy some introductions to films of his you may not be aware of...
The Hunt (Jagten - 2012)
This film is incredibly painful to watch. Lucas, a kind-hearted kindergarten teacher, is falsely accused of molesting one of the children, and things just get worse and worse for him as the lie spreads throughout the community. Mads' performance is heartbreaking and you will probably cry. An excellent movie, though.
A Royal Affair (En kongelig affare - 2012)
One of my favourite movies! A historical drama based on the love triangle between the insane Danish king Christian VII, his queen Caroline Mathilda, and the king's physician Struensee. The queen and Struensee bond over their radical political ideas and desire to change Denmark. Gorgeous, romantic, dramatic and heartbreaking, I feel like everyone should watch this.
Mads is amazing as Struensee, an excellent role for him. (Plus long hair and period dress)
Flame & Citron (Flammen & Citronen - 2008)
A Noirish film about, as the DVD cover exclaims, "DANISH NAZI ASSASSINS!!!".
Flame and Citron are members of the anti-Nazi Danish resistance during the Second World War, and mostly hunt down Nazi-collaborators. It was adapted from historical events, but was fairly controversial as its portrayal of Flame and Citron was not overly flattering.
Interesting movie, though quite depressing as is to be expected.
Mads is fascinating as Citron, and seems to spend the movie perpetually sweaty for some reason.
Open Hearts (Elsker dig for evigt - 2002)
While the handheld camera work took a little getting used to, this is an excellent heartbreaking drama. It focuses on a young couple who have just got engaged, Cecilie and Joachim, when Joachim is hit by a car, and becomes paralysed. The car was driven by a woman named Marie, who by coincidence is married to Niels, a doctor who works at the hospital where Joachim is being treated.
As Joachim pushes Cecilie away, she becomes closer to Niels who she goes to for advice and comfort.
Another one that's painful to watch, I spend most of this movie wanting to punch Mads' character (Niels) in the face.
However, it is amazing with an appropriately ambiguous ending.
After the Wedding (Efter brylluppet - 2006)
Mads plays Jacob, a man who lives in Bombay and helps run an orphanage. But they are desparate for money, and one day receive an offer from a rich Danish businessman, Jorgen. But in order to obtain the money, he's required to return to Denmark.
Jacob is then given little choice but to attend the wedding of Jorgen's daughter, and discovers something that means he may not be able to return to India.
Another fairly sad and dramatic movie, it's well done, though.
Pusher & Pusher II (1996/2004)
Focused on the criminal underworld of Copenhagen, Mads plays Tonny, who is basically the stupid sidekick to other drug dealers. He has a minor role in the first movie (though it's still really good so you should watch it) but is the focus of the second. It starts with him being released from prison, and trying to get on his father's good side by working for him in a cycle of crime and drugs.
Tonny is dumb, gross, and yet endearing. When he discovers he's fathered a baby his outlook on life gradually begins to change.
I really wasn't expecting to love this movie, but it's amazing and has a perfect ending. Also lots of naked Mads.
The Salvation (2014)
Ok, this one really wasn't my kind of thing. It's... a western. And very straightforward. Mads plays a guy who's out for revenge when his wife and son get killed.
It's probably great if you like the genre. My least favourite of the ones listed here.
Didn't really show off Mads' range at all, but he's all rugged with a beard?
Charlie Countryman (2013)
Mads isn't reallllly a main character in this, but I thought it (and he) was great so included it.
It follows Charlie who goes to Bucharest on the advice of his dead mother. It's a fairly surreal but beautiful film, about Charlie falling in love with a girl, Gabi, who has a dangerous and possessive (ex)husband, Nigel (Mads).
It got horrible reviews, but I really enjoyed it. And Mads is amazing as Nigel, please enjoy his dog shirt.
Shake It All About (En kort en lang - 2001)
Ah, Mads' gay romcom. Mads plays Jacob, who is happily in love and newly engaged to his boyfriend.
However he drunkenly discovers he has feelings for his future sister-in-law, and they begin an affair.
I have so many mixed feelings about this movie... I know a lot of people love it, but the plot was just a bit too painful for me to be happy about the weirdly convenient happy ending.
Another one where you want to slap Mads' character for being a horrible cheater.
On the other hand, Mads is super young and adorable in this.
Green Butchers (De gronne slagtere - 2003)
Mads plays "Sweaty Svend", an assistant butcher who decides to open his own butcher's shop along with his friend Bjarne. Thanks to... circumstances... they somehow end up selling human flesh, which turns out to be a great hit. An amazing dark comedy by Anders Thomas Jensen, it's bizarre, gross, and very funny. The humour isn't for everyone, but I think if you enjoy British comedy you will enjoy this too.
Adam's Apples (Adams Abler - 2005)
Wanted to include one more comedy because so many of his films are depressing... Adam's Apples is another ATJ dark comedy where this time Mads plays a priest, Ivan, who helps rehabilitate newly released prisoners. His newest charge is Adam, a neo-Nazi, and he really wants to help Adam achieve his "dream" of making an apple pie.
Of course, Ivan has his own problems and his relentless optimism might in fact be hiding something... or many things.
Tragic yet funny and touching, this film is amazing.
All scans and words are my own, all movie images from here.
What's your favourite Mads movie?