Hans Petter Moland: An Extremely Funny Gentleman

Are you pleased with the way the film was received in Berlin?
It's very rare to get spontaneous applauses from the audience, which is what happened in Berlin, both at the press show and official competition screening. It was a lifetime experience.

What is it that seduced you the most in the story, the fact that it was a true comedy, unlike your previous films?
The script had a wonderful tone of voice and dialogue. I have made films with comedy elements, but this is indeed my first entire comedy.

You're Norwegian, the scriptwriter is Danish (Kim Fupz Aakeson) and your lead actor Stellan Skarsgård is Swedish. How did you all work together?
Kim's script was one of the greatest ever given to me. Anybody who would have a nationalistic restrain would be a fool. Our languages are quite similar, but we have our own turn of phrases, and the way the script was written - by a Dane - made me look at our language in a different way.

Could you detail how you worked with Kim Fupz Aakeson?
A film is a collective effort. The script is the chore, the skeleton, the thing that everybody attaches itself to. But it is not a Bible that cannot be altered or played with. Also, the director's interpretation is not enough in itself. You're confronted with locations, physical realities. However, if a script is very good, with a refined and exact dialogue and great tone of voice, it can become incredibly precious, which was the case with A Somewhat Gentle Man. The writing was a collaborative effort with Kim Fupz. Although I immediately loved the script, I had issues with some elements. But Kim Fupz is a very productive and gifted person, so he turned it around fast. It's all part of the creative process. Even actors bring something that hopefully will surprise me and the audience.

Your characters are heartbreaking and at the same time extremely funny, especially Ulrik (Stellan Skarsgård) and his land lady (Jorunn Kjellsby). What can you tell us about them?It's pretty hard being a human being surrounded by nasty shits! These are people not in the top tier?? of society and neither in the prime of their life. Yet, it's amusing to see how they struggle to retain a sliver of dignity. At the same time, it's pretty hard to age with any sort of dignity fully well-knowing you're not necessarily young and beautiful and rich and happy, everything that we're all supposed to be aspiring to.

Was Stellan an obvious choice as the somewhat gentle Ulrik?
Yes. As soon as I got the script, I wanted to have him on board. I discuss the characters and subject matter quite a bit with the actors, but when you work with someone you know very well, it's easier to be playful and to try new things. You tend to be more daring

A Somewhat Gentle Man was produced for a moderate budget of €2m. In what way did this influence the making of the film?
We had to make hard choices and to prioritize things. We shot the film within a square mile of Oslo, in an old factory. I also saved money by being the driver for Stellan! Many of the actors had already worked together or with me before. It all felt   like a big family reunion.

What are your next projects? The thriller The Elephant to be produced by Monster Film? Another film based on a script by Kim Fupz Aakeson?
Yes The Elephant is one of my projects, but you never know until the film is fully financed. Hopefully, it will go into production within the next couple of months. Aside from that, I am already discussing another project with Kim Fupz that will have a universal subject matter.