Interview with Anders Thomas Jensen

It is pretty rare for a director of your age and experience to deal with the lack of religious faith... Was this a way for you to research the global need for faith in our society?

Many young people have problems to profess to a certain religion. Nevertheless, a lot of people still need a kind of belief system.

Once again you like to use a fable instead of a realistic portrait to tell your story, why?

Fables are more interesting than the real world.

You like to shock your viewers or at least to provoke them. Do you believe that is necessary for someone to become aware of things?

If I wouldn't provoke, I wouldn't get any reactions.

Did you have any problems with the church during shooting or after the release of the film?

Totally the opposite. On the 9th of June of this year, I will receive the Culture Award of Danish pastors.

Your characters all undergo a transformation on their journey. That seems to be important in your films...

Yes, to be redeemed.

Is it important as a screenwriter to mix humor and emotions to keep the balance?

For my work it is extremely important. When I write for others, I of course try to translate their ideas.

Why do you always work with the same actors?

We work well together.

As you know them all so well, do you make the roles fit them?

Not really, but when we have found the character, we collaborate on fine-tuning it.

Do they in Denmark regard you just as politically incorrect as in the rest of Europe?

Not really. We're pretty liberal and open-minded in Denmark.

Is it true that you are responsible for 40% of Denmark's produced films, whether as screenwriter or director?

No, about 30 films are produced annually in Denmark and I am involved in about 6 of them, so that makes it about 20%.

Susanne Bier said once about you: "He has a great feeling for catastrophes." What do you think of that?

That could be right.

Do you think your work is still influenced by Dogma? And if so, in what way?

Not at all, it's actually the opposite; it was never the case. I love working with light, sound, special effects, etc.

Can you tell us a bit more about the correct situation of the Danish box-office?

Denmark holds 2nd place in Europe with concerns to local film production. 34% of the Danish box-office comes from Danish films.

Did Hollywood ever contact you?

Yes, and the negotiations continue.

What project are you currently working on?

I am writing three screenplays for several directors and I am working on my own film. More I can't say.

Denmark's Church Representatives Award is named after the archangel Gabriel and since 2003 has been awarded by a jury.

Excerpt from the jury's motivation:

"A Neo-Nazi as means for redemption: yes, this Adam, this naked, fallen man, has to admit to his own astonishment, that he wasn't able to deny the good, that he didn't want. Even stronger, he could not avoid it."