Viggo Mortensen, the Danish-American actor who captivated audiences as Aragorn in *The Lord of the Rings* trilogy, has embarked on a remarkable journey beyond the silver screen. His career, spanning over four decades, is a testament to his dedication to his craft and his profound understanding of character development. While his roguish charm has undoubtedly contributed to his success, it’s his intense and meticulous approach that truly defines him as an actor. But Mortensen’s artistic expression doesn’t stop at acting. He’s returned to the director’s chair with his second feature film—a project he also wrote, produced, and for which he composed the original music.
In a recent interview with Euronews, Mortensen revealed the inspiration behind his directorial endeavors. He explained that his foray into directing came much later than he had hoped, but that he utilized the extensive knowledge he gained from observing fellow directors over his 40-year acting career. “I’ve learned from watching directors, men and women I’ve worked with for 40 years or more,” he shared. “Seeing how they communicate with the crew, the director of photography, the actors, how they prepare, how they tell the stories—that’s what I learned. I started late in life, much later than I wanted to. But everything I learned from watching them work, I was able to use in the first film and now in the second. I hope I’ve avoided a lot of mistakes because I waited until I was older to start directing.”
His journey began with a role in 1985’s *Witness*, marking his early foray into the film industry in his late 20s. Since then, Mortensen has collaborated with a diverse array of acclaimed directors, building a remarkable filmography. He has a notable seven-film collaboration with David Cronenberg, their latest project being *Crimes of the Future*. Mortensen also highlights his collaborations with Jane Campion (*Portrait of a Lady*, *The Power of the Dog*) and Argentinian Ana Piterbarg as career highlights. The experience of directing, he explains, brings a unique perspective to his acting: “Maybe it’s unfair for the actors we work with, because we have to stand back and talk to the sound and camera operators between shots. It’s more physically tiring at the end of each day. But as actors, when we’re also directing, we’re more efficient, because we don’t have time to doubt what we’re doing. So we’re more efficient, but we get more tired.”
His latest directorial effort is a poignant love story set against the stark backdrop of the Old West. The film centers around Olsen, a Danish immigrant and sheriff, grappling with the loss of his great love, Vivienne, a French-speaking Canadian. The narrative unfolds through flashbacks, revealing the idyllic beginning of their journey west, and the challenges they faced, including Olsen’s departure to fight in the American Civil War, leaving Vivienne vulnerable. The film explores not only love but also the ever-present shadow of hate, as Olsen confronts injustice and the manipulative actions of Weston Jeffries. The role of Olsen is played by Mortensen himself, and the role of Vivienne is portrayed by Vicky Krieps, a Luxembourger actress whom Mortensen praises highly, suggesting she would be an ideal Oscar contender, though he acknowledges the Academy’s general lack of attention toward independent cinema.
The western genre, a staple of cinema, provides the framework for this deeply personal story. Mortensen, a product of the era when Westerns held sway, acknowledges the immense influence the genre had on him during his formative years. When asked about specific Westerns that shaped his vision, he responded simply, “The list would be too long to list here.” His new film promises to be a deeply personal reflection on love, loss, and the enduring power of the human spirit, set against the iconic landscape of the American West. This thoughtful and richly layered project marks Viggo Mortensen’s continued artistic evolution, showcasing his immense talent as a director and once again cementing his position as a captivating figure in the world of cinema.
