Scandinavia Takes Hollywood
The July issue of Viking magazine includes a feature story that showcases Scandinavia as a dream location for filmmakers around the world. Thanks to the area’s natural beauty, film incentives and help from location production companies, the Nordic region is rapidly turning into the new go-to destination for films and television shows.
Scandinavia’s own film industry is at the top if its game, and the region’s best actors and filmmakers are making their mark in Hollywood. Here’s a look at three talented Scandinavians actors to keep an eye on.
Oslo native Kristofer Hivju is probably best known for his role as Tormund Giantsbane on HBO’s hit series “Game of Thrones.” Following in the acting footsteps of his grandmother and father, he performed on stage at Trondelag Theatre as a young actor and graduated from Denmark’s Russian Academy of Theater Arts. Will Smith’s film “After Earth” put Hivju on the Hollywood map when it released in 2013. Hivju continued to also work on Norwegian films, including the lead role in the international breakout hit “The Last King” (2016). In addition to filming “Game of Thrones” for the past four years, Hivju also starred alongside Vin Diesel and Dwayne Johnson in “The Fate of the Furious” (2017).
Tobias Santelmann grew up in Lindesnes, Norway, and graduated from the Oslo National Academy of Dramatic Arts in 2006. Santelmann appeared in the Academy Award- and Golden Globe-nominated Norwegian film “Kon-Tiki” (2012) before hitting American big screens in “Hercules (2014) and “Point Break” (2015). For the past two years, the actor has starred in the British historical fiction television series, “The Last Kingdom.”
Ingrid Bolsø Berdal is one of Norway’s most talented and versatile actors. She trained at the Oslo National Academy of Dramatic Arts and performed at The Norwegian Theatre early in her career. Berdal appeared on Norwegian television shows and films, including “Hellfjord” and “Cold Prey,” which earned her an Amanda Award for Best Actress. She made her big screen debut in America with “The Chernobyl Diaries” (2012) and went on to star in “Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters” (2013) and “Hercules: The Thracian Wars” (2014). In HBO’s science fiction western thriller series “Westworld” (2016), Berdal plays sharpshooting bandit Armistice alongside Anthony Hopkins. Next up for the actress is a lead role in the film “The Odd Couple.”
Sons of Norway members can learn more about the Scandinavian film industry by checking out the November 2014 issue of Viking magazine. Not a member? Join today!