Mads Mikkelsen hit back at a reporter after a question about inclusivity in his recent Western thriller project, The Promised Land, was thrown at him. The actor clearly did not appreciate the criticism of the movie’s eligibility for Best Picture because of its lack of diversity.
The intense conversation happened at the Venice Film Festival after the movie’s premiere. It was also attended by director Nikolaj Arcel and producer Louise Vesth.
Mads Mikkelsen Fired Back At Reporter For Asking About The Lack Of Diversity In His Movie
At The Promised Land’s conference via YouTube, a reporter relayed a statement on the lack of a diverse cast in the movie in which Mads Mikkelsen starred. He said:
“This is a cast and Danish production that’s entirely Nordic, and, therefore, has some lack of diversity, you would say. There’s also new rules implied in Hollywood…”
The actor immediately laughed and shook his head, interjecting, “What are you on to? From the get-go?” The reporter continued his narrative and pointed out the new rules for movies to become eligible for the Best Picture category, mentioning that The Promised Land did not live up to the standards:
“There are some rules of diversity across the Atlantic for competing in the Best Picture [category], the equivalent of this competition. As I see, you don’t live up to these standards with this cast. I’m just curious: It’s not because of artistic reasons, it’s because of a lack of diversity, that this can’t compete in that competition. Are you worried about it?”
Mikkelsen instantly dismissed the reporter and fired back, “Are you? I’m serious and honest because you’re putting us on the spot, so you answer the question.”
The reporter explained that the new standards can be quite a “conundrum” and went on to give an example that Bong Joon-ho’s film Parasite won the award for Best Picture in 2020 but will no longer be eligible for the category in the future because of its lack of diversity.
The Hannibal star said, “I don’t notice that, personally.” Director Nikolaj Arcel tried to explain that they did feature a character of color.
“Well, first of all, the film takes place in Denmark in the 1750s. We do have a big plotline about a girl of color who is being subjected to racism, which was very rare, any people of color in Denmark… almost nobody. She was probably at the time the only one in the entire country of Denmark.”
Mikkelsen starred as Ludvig von Khalen in The Promised Land, a soldier who sets out to cultivate an uninhabitable land on which seemingly nothing can grow. It is based on The Captain and Ann Barbara by Ida Jessen.
Mads Mikkelsen Discussed His Character In The Promised Land
Mads Mikkelsen shared some details about his character in The Promised Land and how a bastard son of a nobleman and a maid came to be what Ludvig von Khalen has become in the movie. He told IndieWire:
“He so desperately wants to become part of something that he hates, nobility. They don’t deserve it. They haven’t worked for anything. He decides that he wants to be part of it. His range of emotions is limited. This is a time when people are not displaying emotions. They were just trying to survive.”
The actor revealed he channeled the famous Buster Keaton for his silent acting. In the movie, he delivers a stoic and very quiet performance.
The Promised Land will debut in select theaters in the US for a limited time from February 2, 2024.
