Nordic Watchlist got to speak to talented Danish director Nikolaj Arcel and discuss his new film The Promised Land, which is out in UK cinemas from Friday 16th February.
Nikolaj’s last piece of work which was based in Denmark was A Royal Affair, which was released back in 2012 and picked up many accolades. The director went over to Hollywood where he directed The Dark Tower and has since returned back to his roots with The Promised Land, and we are all the happier for it.
“I made a decision some years ago to make Danish films, I experienced working with a big studio and it just wasn’t for me. The Promised Land really helped cement that decision based on the success it has had” Nikolaj explains.
The director continues to say that he’ll keep making Danish movies or at the very least be based out of Europe – that is the future for him and great news for the Nordic film industry.
What makes this film so perfect, in our opinion, is the casting in this movie. It is stacked with famous faces from across the region, all joining its lead star Mads Mikkelsen. The incredibly experienced actors joining him include Magnus Krepper, Jacob Lohman, Tomas Gabrielson, Søren Malling, and Amanda Collins (pictured below with Nikolaj). It came as no surprise when the director confirmed that he is heavily involved with the casting of his own movies.
“I have wanted to work with Amanda Collins for a year, so when I read the novel and wrote the script I offered the role to her without any casting auditions. I just knew she would be right for the role and thankfully she said yes” the director explains.
If those names aren’t already enough to entice you in then you have the likes of Simon Bennebjerg, Morten Hee Andersen, Gustav Lindh, and Kristine Kujath Thorp also involved with the cast aswell.
“With Gustav Lindh, Mads had worked with him before on Riders of Justice along with my co-writer (who directed Riders of Justice) and they both thought he would be great for the role so he came along and auditioned and was great”.
Nikolaj explains that he wanted to be surrounded by fresh new talent who were mixed up with the experienced cast and being lucky enough to be involved in choosing who those people were.
Amongst all of these famous face and upcoming stars the film also saw the debut of a much younger actress, Melina Hagberg (pictured below with Mads Mikkelsen).
“She was a tough one to find – we had this certain look we wanted and they had to have this acting ability. She was very much a guiding light for us and so much fun to work with”.
Her role as Anmai Mus is a very important one as she plays a key character within the film. She brought some well deserved comic relief in places where the film is predominantly a pretty brutal story.
Beyond this incredible cast are also the people behind the scenes, and in particular Nikolaj’s trusted partnership with cinematographer Rasmus Videbæk pays off once again. The scenery that is captured in this piece is quite simply outstanding.
“We were mostly discussing the cinematographer in David Lean’s films“.
David Lean was a British director whose work was released in the 1940s and 50s, including the likes of Brief Encounter, Great Expectations, and Lawrence of Arabia.
“He had these epic vistas which he married with them intimate character work in terms of visuals. This was something that was important to us with the film as there are these character portraits that are part of this epic story“.
Rasmus had managed to tap into his magic but there was also luck involved with the film’s locations, and the and weather.
With every epic there has to be a musical score to go with it and once again Nikolaj had managed to strike gold with the composer for the film, Dan Romer. Dan Romer has worked on a number of soundtracks including the likes of Station Eleven and Maniac (a personal favourite of ours).
“He was the dream choice for me, I try to always go after my dream choice no matter what the barriers might be. I fell in love with his music on Station Eleven and the music is so beautiful in it that it really made me sit up and take note. He just stuck out for me as the guy to do the job with the film“.
However, everyone told Nikolaj that there was no chance this LA based musician was going to do a Danish film – so the director wrote him an email.
“He replied and said: ‘That sounds great man!‘”
Sometimes it goes to show – always ask – you never know!
The combination of a director returning to his roots where previously his success for A Royal Affair saw him pick up huge accolade and this feature is no different. It is a serious return to form where he has come armed with one of the best cast line-ups we have seen and backed up with some of the most stunning cinematography – all soundtracked to a deep and haunting score. The Promised Land truly is a film not to miss.
The Promised Land is out now in UK cinemas and you can read our non-spoiler review of the film HERE
