VALTER SKARSGÅRD TALKS LORDS OF CHAOS

Interviewed by Culture Coast Talks editor Daniel John. Interview transcripts might have been edited for length and clarity.

What is it like being directed by Jonas Åkerlund?

Jonas is an incredibly wonderful person and a very skilled director so working with him was an amazing experience! There was this constant dialogue about the characters which I really enjoyed.

Is that the kind of actor-director dialogue you usually prefer?

Yes, I would say that’s the main thing, being able to discuss and reach an agreement so that both parties feel satisfied with how the character turns out, especially when, as in this case, it’s about real people.

Åkerlund naturally had a strong connection to this world, being both a former drummer and a music video director, and it had in fact been his dream project for many years. What made you want to be a part of this film?

I heard about the project and read up on the story before I even got the actual script. The story is absolutely incredible, and I really wanted to work with Jonas, so I was very interested even before I’d read the entire script!

How familiar were you yourself with the Norwegian black metal-scene beforehand?

I listened to a bit of “metal” when I was younger but I wasn’t at all familiar with these events before I heard about the project.

What kind of music do you personally listen to?

I actually listen to all kinds of different music, still some heavier rock, but also quite a lot of hip-hop, and some calmer stuff as well.

How was the first day of shooting?

My first day was pretty calm, I only had one scene at night. But that scene led up to my most difficult one which we filmed on my second day of shooting.

It shot in Budapest and Oslo alike?

Budapest is really beautiful but I didn’t see much of it since I spent most of my time on set. I was only in Oslo for two days. But that was nice as well. Cold in both cities, though. Since we were filming in late autumn.

The film has faced ongoing criticism, about its accuracy, from both audiences and band members some even protesting by restricting the use of their music. The film remains an artistic work that stands on its own. How do you view the criticism?

Many people are upset that this is being brought up again, which is completely understandable, and a lot of the criticism directed at the film came long before it was even finished.

Like the film itself, Faust, or Bård Guldvik Eithun, comes from real life. He’s a Norwegian drummer who is still alive today and was actually convicted of murder. How did you approach portraying a real person on the big screen, and how did that affect your process, especially as someone who has studied Stella Adler and her method of “becoming the role”?

The challenging thing about portraying a real, still-living, person is that you need to respect them while also creating your own interpretation of the character. I had no contact with Faust before or during filming, but I did receive information about both the character and the events. A lot of it however is pure speculation, so you have to make your own decisions, which is exciting, but also very difficult when, as mentioned, it is a real person. Faust was a very difficult character to take on. His actions are extreme, but the rest of his personality feels very “laidback,” which was something Jonas and I had to discuss a lot to get it right.

Do you find it more interesting to play unsettling roles?

I definitely prefer playing darker, more unsettling characters. It is a completely different kind of challenge which suits me and my way of acting really well.

Do you have a dream role?

Speaking of unsettling roles, I have always dreamed of playing Joker from 'Batman'. I'm a nerd at heart and ever since seeing Heath Ledger in that role it has always been very tempting.

Do you prefer work in film?

I definitely prefer filming over theater, it suits my acting style so much better, I enjoy being able to work with the small details, subtle looks, tiny movements. The camera catches everything.

There are a few Scandinavian names in the film, but it's undoubtedly an international-production, featuring actors like Rory Culkin, Jack Kilmer, and Sky Ferreira. What was it like acting alongside them?

It was an honor to act alongside such talented actors and actresses! I had quite a few scenes with Rory Culkin specifically, and there was one scene where he talks a lot, and during one take, I got so caught up in his monologue that I actually forgot I was on camera too. I told him about it right afterward!

You went abroad to shoot this film in the fall of 2016, and since then, you've already done both 'Prey' and 'Fun House' internationally, as well. What can you tell us about those films and your roles?

'Prey' is still in an early stage, so unfortunately, I can’t say much about it yet. But 'Fun House' was a really fun experience with an amazing cast and director. In that one, I play a somewhat more sympathetic role than in 'Lords of Chaos', which was refreshing, even though the film still has a similarly dark theme.

Are you setting your sights on working more abroad?

Whether it’s abroad or here in Sweden doesn’t matter much to me, my focus is on good projects! They can show up anywhere!