Mads Mikkelsen Reveals Why Oscar-Contender The Promised Land Means So Much to Him

Reuniting 10 years after their Oscar-nominated collaboration on A Royal Affair, Danish filmmaker Nikolaj Arcel and Mads Mikkelsen have their sights set on the Academy Awards once more with their historical drama, The Promised Land. As part of Collider's FYC Screening Series at Landmark Theaters, the duo kicked off our awards season event with a special event, followed by an exclusive Q&A hosted by Editor-in-Chief Steve Weintraub.
Ahead of the screening, The Promised Land was shortlisted for Best International Feature Film alongside features like J.A. Bayona's Society of the Snow and Hlynur Pálmason's Godland. It's little wonder with Mikkelsen's performance and cinematographer Rasmus Videbæk's sweeping camerawork, which Arcel says, "surpassed my dreams of what could be possible on a budget that we have." This Danish Western pits real-life Captain Ludvig Kahlen (Mikkelsen) against the formidable Jutland heath he wishes to tame, and the sinister and greedy Frederik de Schinkel (Simon Bjenneberg), who claims ownership over the land.
Check out the video above, or you can read the full transcript below to find out how filmmaking in Hollywood differs from Denmark's industry, including the full creative license for Arcel to claim on his adaptation. Mikkelsen discusses how much involvement he has from script to screen with movies outside the U.S., the challenges he's always willing to tackle, his dream project, and teaming up again with Hannibal showrunner, Bryan Fuller, for his feature debut, Dust Bunny. The duo also talk their 10-year friendship, why The Promised Land being shortlisted is so important, and tons more.
#MadsMikkelsen #ThePromisedLand #Hannibal
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[@pamelasertich9850]

This man speaks Danish, Swedish, German, French, English, probably Spanish. He is just amazing and he started out as a ballet dancer.

[@Calibound8]

and…gymnastics

[@MrProy33]

I'm still waiting for the next season of Hannibal.

[@ЮляМ-о6я]

I'm absolutely in love with the show. And I want season 4, but afraid of it at the same time. The ending of 3 was so perfect, and so easy to spoil...)

[@Homelander-God]

Same

[@graceann147]

We all would want to see that but Mads isn’t just Hannibal :,) I think his other rolls deserve just as much appreciation.

[@pamelasertich9850]

Amen

[@WileyCylas]

His voice is so enchanting 😻

[@jenniferflores3360]

So nice to have an interview with some good questions

[@laerapajareraconreginasalc3295]

It's a shame that Nikolaj never reads this, but I published a science fiction novel in 2021 whose protagonist is based on Mads, I was inspired by him to develop it. At least I really enjoyed writing it and in Spain (where it was published) it had very good reviews.I leave it there...😄

[@Mmmm.1784]

Grande!!! ...il titolo?

[@laerapajareraconreginasalc3295]

@@Mmmm.1784 "La Baba Celestial", Regina Salcedo (Thanks for asking 😉)

[@Mmmm.1784]

@@laerapajareraconreginasalc3295 🤗👍

[@heidimeigs5192]

This is my first time seeing Nicolaj in an interview. I am impressed with how clearly he conveys his working philosophy. Not pretentious about his work. But serious and earnest about wanting to convey a particular story. I like him. He’s very likable. Mads is of course an angel.

[@brithanyxigot7]

Mads ❤

[@rolandcr]

Such an amazing movie.

[@eleazarcaballero3360]

Incredible movie!! So happy for Mads and all the awesome team!!

[@CabePackard]

I need to see that extended cut, oh my lord. Any news on a release date? This has been one of my favorite movies of all time.

[@pluki1357]

16:47 I cannot wait for "The Priest & Potatos" extended version. 😆

[@annelikarppinen5645]

Just love these two 🇩🇰💪💪🙏👍✨💎💎✌️👑👑🇫🇮

[@graceann147]

How did they get a hold of even $200,000 to make pusher at that age?

[@jenniferflores3360]

Yes, the movie was difficult in the beginning cause seeing Mads so serious and angry, unfeeling, i felt like he was going to spit on me. I turned it off. Im so glad i rerented and watched the whole thing

[@rzkrish2775]

Ah, that's exactly what Mads said before. When you know the actor too well, sometimes it can be difficult to just enjoy the character that they're presenting on screen and separate whatever knowledge you know about them in real life. I was struggling too when I watched Arctic lol

[@jenniferflores3360]

@@rzkrish2775Arctic was great. And also quite tense.

[@jenniferflores3360]

And now Mr. Sutherland is gone.😢He was a good one.

[@rzkrish2775]

It's a lOoOoOoOoOOot😂