Thomsen Wears Director's Hat For 'In Embryo'

Danish star actor Ulrich Thomsen (photo) - soon to appear in Susanne Bier's The Revenge - was in Berlin this week, not to promote a film but to attend the Co-production market with his feature debut In Embryo. He spoke to nordiskfilmogtvfond.com about his project.

In Embryo is produced by Germany's Cine Plus Filmproduktion and Royal Pony Film, in co-production with Denmark's Zentropa and support from the Danish Film Institute.

Why did you turn to Germany to get your first feature film off the ground?
You can't get money in Denmark for English language projects. I had already worked with Cine Plus Produktion on the film Das Schweigen (Silence) and they liked the concept of In Embryo that I had been developing over the last two years. I had of course tried the US route, but after having gone through assistants to assistants to studio executives and the agents system, I decided it would be more suitable for my project to have it made in Europe. US companies make primarily mainstream movies. Although In Embryo is mainstream in its storyline, it's still a challenging project directed by a first time Danish director, filmed in English. 

How long have you wanted to direct?
When you're in a lead role, you go through the development and building of a character. I also tended to interfere a lot with prop guys! I've worked 20 years as an actor and thought that the time was right to give it a try at directing.

What attracted you to the story of In Embryo?
In Embryo is a love story set in the drug world. The main character Sean is a drug dealer who falls for a young beauty, Lily, herself a drug addict. Together, it seems that they can have a new beginning, but the traumas from their past, fear and violence come to the surface. Basically, the idea of the film is that dreams are never greater than the dreamer. The film is also about the importance of love and caring for each other in today's world that has become very polarized. It's either 'us' or 'them'. The war between the Western and Eastern world is very sad to experience, and the fact that we use democracy as an excuse to go to war is even sadder. I wanted to tell people that caring is what matters most in life.

What is your vision for the film?
It will have a David Lynch feeling, with slow pace, the emotional will merge with the thriller element. Anthony Dod Mantle (Oscar winner for Slumdog Millionaire) will capture all that with his lens.

What was the response from potential co-financiers in Berlin?We showed a trailer to give them an idea of the style, and the response was extremely positive. We're now in the middle of casting, but have to wait to have all financing in place to finalize the cast and crew. Bavaria Film International handles world sales.

What are your projects as an actor?
I will make a film in Germany for Christian Alvart (Antibodies) and another one in Denmark with Kristian Levring with whom I worked on Fear Me Not, plus television series both in Germany and Denmark.