How Denmark Got That Way: Director Nicolaj Arcel on A Royal Affair, Denmark's entry for Best Foreign Language Film.
November 16, 2012 9:00am
Danish director Nicolaj Arcel in conversation about A Royal Affair, a historical drama set in the 1770s, and based on true events: Manipulated by his wife and his personal physician, "the Mad King," King Christian VII of Denmark, becomes a great liberal reformer, even as the doctor betrays his own political ideals "for the good of the country." And then the affair between Queen and doctor is discovered . . .
Arcel discusses his childhood obsession with the American blockbuster that first hooked him on film; a more recent obsession with contemporary American politics--and the parallels to be found in A Royal Affair; director "tricks" he's used but since forsworn; and the underlying theme common to all of his work.
A Royal Affair stars Mads Mikkelson, Alicia Vikander and Mikkel Boe Folsgaard, and is Denmark's submission this year as Best Foreign Language Film. The film has already earned two Silver Bears at Berlin: Best Screenplay (Arcel & Heisterberg) and Best Actor (Mikkel Boe Folsgaard).
Arcel discusses his childhood obsession with the American blockbuster that first hooked him on film; a more recent obsession with contemporary American politics--and the parallels to be found in A Royal Affair; director "tricks" he's used but since forsworn; and the underlying theme common to all of his work.
A Royal Affair stars Mads Mikkelson, Alicia Vikander and Mikkel Boe Folsgaard, and is Denmark's submission this year as Best Foreign Language Film. The film has already earned two Silver Bears at Berlin: Best Screenplay (Arcel & Heisterberg) and Best Actor (Mikkel Boe Folsgaard).
