Danish actor Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (54) will appear in the upcoming Norwegian-Sami youth film Biru Unjárga – Fucking Nesseby.
Coster-Waldau plays a minor role as the Danish father that 15-year-old Elvira imagines in her dreams. director Egil Pedersen explained that the Hollywood star, best known as Jaime Lannister in Game of Thrones, had been envisioned as the dream father in the script for many years.
“When I was working on my debut film, I realized that it wouldn’t have the world’s biggest budget. Many who read the script thought having Nikolaj would never happen—that it was impossible. But I refused to remove him from the script,” Pedersen said.
However, the world is not that big. There is always someone who knows someone. The director of the International Sámi Film Institute, which co-financed Biru Unjárga – Fucking Nesseby, knew Coster-Waldau and directly asked the Dane if he wanted to be part of the film. He agreed.
“We were excited and nervous when he arrived by seaplane, like a true Hollywood actor.”
After landing on Varangerfjorden, Coster-Waldau spent the entire day on the Norwegian film set. And although his role was small, he brought joy and excitement, according to Pedersen.
“Nikolaj was fantastic to work with. He added something special to the role and definitely has an X-factor. He contributed his own ideas and simply delivered.”
Pedersen is particularly proud of something the film and TV star said at the end of the filming day, after they had shot what the director called an absurd scene.
“He said, ‘This is the weirdest thing I’ve done on film in many, many years.'”
Biru Unjárga – Fucking Nesseby is a Sami youth film about 15-year-old Elvira, who dreams of discovering the identity of her Danish father. Her mother became pregnant at a Danish fertility clinic. When her mother comes out as a lesbian, it triggers an identity crisis for Elvira. The chaos escalates further when her real father appears.
“It explores Sami and queer identities. Minority identity. I am Sami myself and have sometimes felt I wasn’t ‘good enough’ as a Sami. When I finally embraced my identity, I saw there was a lot of humor and satire in it,” Pedersen explained.
This is also the key to Coster-Waldau’s involvement in the film. He and his Greenlandic wife Nukâka are connected to the Arctic Indigenous Film Fund (AIFF), which aims to support films and filmmakers with Arctic Indigenous heritage.
“Nikolaj’s wife is Indigenous. He is therefore very supportive of Sami and minority films. He has a strong desire to contribute,” said the debut director.
Did you manage to avoid paying Hollywood rates for the Danish star?
Pedersen chuckles.
“We have a normal Norwegian budget, so we could afford one day.”
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