Stellan Skarsgard might not be a name you know, but you probably recognize his mug. The accomplished Swedish actor has appeared in more than 80 films including indie classics like 'Breaking the Waves' and mainstream blockbusters like 'Mamma Mia!' and 'Pirates of the Caribbean.' And if the last name sounds vaguely familiar, that's because his son is Alexander Skarsgard, aka Eric Northman on HBO's 'True Blood.'
The elder Skarsgard is starring in a new film called 'A Somewhat Gentle Man,' which unfortunately can only be seen in NYC and LA on Jan. 28. Wait until it comes out on Netflix because it's a lovely little story about a reformed hit man -- and it's in Norwegian!
PopEater chatted with Skarsgard during a break from filming the massively anticipated 'Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,' a remake of the hit filmed (and authored) on his home turf.
Are you in Sweden now?
I go back tomorrow.
It must be freezing there right now.
It's the coldest winter since 1788.
How do they even know that?
Well we've always been good at keeping records.
Tell me about 'A Somewhat Gentle Man.'
I play an ex-con who gets released from prison after 12 years, for murder, and he's given up on life, and I think he'd rather stay in prison. Things have happened in 12 years and he has problems coping. He has to find meaning in his life and the things he missed out on before, like relationships. He has to start all over.
He has women who are happy to have sex with him.
Yeah, there's a lot of sex, and some of the worst sex you've ever seen.
Is it uncomfortable to film bad sex scenes?
No, it was great fun. I've done so many sex scenes in my life, but these are hilarious, totally different.
Was it easier?
Yeah it was. If you want to do a good sex scene it's very difficult. Sex doesn't look as beautiful as it feels. It's very hard to make it visually as exciting as it is when you have it.
You're in the 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.'
I was so excited to be cast because I get to work with David Fincher.
Did you read the books in Swedish?
No, I haven't read them still.
Wow, you must be the only person on the planet who hasn't.
I was busy reading other stuff.
You must be very proud of your son Alexander.
I have three sons who are actors now. My son Gustaf had a role in the last Peter Weir film and my fourth son has had leading roles in Sweden.
Do you think Swedes get a bad rap for being dour because of Ingmar Bergman?
If you think Swedes are like they are in an Ingmar Bergman movie, then yes. He actually had a great sense of humor. I worked with him a couple of times. He was not always a pleasant person, but a great director.
What makes Swedish meatballs special?
I don't know, but they're really good. Swedish food is a lot of fish, very clean. Simple ingredients, very fresh and cooked with love. In Stockholm you can get fantastic food but unfortunately in the countryside it's mostly pizza and kebabs.
Whenever I meet a Swedish person I'm always amazed at how they speak English flawlessly.
What are our options? No one would understand us if we didn't. You start learning it at school at the age of 7. But also we are so colonized by the Anglo-Saxon culture because all the films are subtitled. We hear it all the time -- music, everything's in English.
Does everyone in Sweden know the words to every ABBA song?
[Laughs] I don't think so. I think they are even bigger in Australia.
Describe your career.
I turn down a lot. I'm living two lives in a way because I do small indie films like 'A Somewhat Gentle Man,' and then I go and do the big American, more industrial productions. I feel extremely privileged. My problem is it's harder and harder to finance the independent movies, and if you get the finance it's hard to get distribution and get them out there.
Who do the Swedes make fun of?
The Norwegians.
Who do the Norwegians make fun of?
The Swedes. They love each other, but it's a little like siblings.
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