The Last Viking: Exploring Identity and Brotherhood in a Darkly Comic Fable
"The Last Viking" is a darkly comic fable about brotherhood and identity, following two brothers, Anker and Manfred. Anker, a bank robber, entrusts his loot to his brother Manfred, who has dissociative identity disorder and believes he's John Lennon. To find the money, Anker seeks out other patients who think they're the rest of the Beatles. Mads Mikkelsen and Nikolaj Lie Kaas, known for their work with director Anders Thomas Jensen, found the brotherly bond in the midst of insanity to be a compelling aspect of the film.
The actors discussed the themes of identity and acceptance in the movie, emphasizing the importance of coexisting with differences. They also touched on the unique storytelling of Anders Thomas Jensen, who creates a realm of insanity wrapped in honesty and poetry. The film explores the idea of accepting differences and the quickness with which people build walls based on perceived differences.
Mikkelsen and Lie Kaas shared their experiences working with Jensen, highlighting the challenge of portraying extreme characters realistically. They also discussed the conflict between Abba and Beatles fans in the film, emphasizing that both bands have their own merits and should not be pitted against each other. The actors reflected on the fun moments on set and the importance of keeping the characters' reality intact amidst the chaos.
The actors expressed their admiration for Jensen's bold storytelling and unique approach to filmmaking. They discussed the challenges of translating his work internationally and the varying reception of his films in different countries. Mikkelsen also shared his thoughts on the U.S. remake of "Another Round," expressing concerns about maintaining the original film's tonality and balance.
Despite working internationally, Mikkelsen and Lie Kaas find themselves drawn back to Denmark for projects like "The Last Viking" due to the unique storytelling of directors like Jensen. They appreciate the opportunity to work in their native language and collaborate with filmmakers who offer a different perspective on storytelling.