16/01/2007

A graduate from the Norwegian National Academy of Performing Arts, Nicolai Cleve Broch had his big breakthrough in film with Morten Tyldum’s Buddy in 2003. In 2004 he played against actor Aksel Hennie in Hennie’s directorial debut Uno. Last year, he had the main part in Stefan Faldbakken’s Uro [+see also:
trailer
film profile] presented at Cannes’ Un Certain Regard.

You’ve played leading parts in three films by first time directors: Buddy, Uno and Uro. Was it exciting to take part in those filmmakers’ first steps?
Nicolai Cleve Broch: Yes of course it was exciting because it was their first big film, something very important for them and it was good to share that special energy with them. That said, it’s quite common to play in directorial debuts in Norway as we don’t make more than a dozen films per year. I am actually lucky to have had main parts in feature films every second year.

You were first assistant director on Uno . Does that mean that you’d like to turn to directing soon?
Uno was a special project because I’m a very good friend to actor/director Aksel Hennie. I helped him write the script and we both took one of the lead characters each! We needed one boss on the film so he took the director seat and I became assistant director. But directing is not something I want to do, or perhaps, not right now. I’m very comfortable and happy with my job as an actor.

Norwegian films are surfing on a way of success both locally and internationally. Is it exciting to be part of it?
Yes I’m very proud to be part of this New Norwegian Wave and Buddy was actually the first film to make it big in Norway and to be distributed around the world. Before, filmmakers had difficulty making feature films and had to wait sometimes 10 years to make their next movie. Now they get more opportunities, they make more commercials and become more professional. Also, Norway has always been considered as the little brother to Sweden and Denmark. It feels good to be on equal terms.

What are your main projects for 2007 and how do you feel about being Norway’s Shooting star?
I’m currently playing a main part in Pirandello’s Six Characters in Search of an Author at the National Theatre in Oslo, and next spring, I will start a new feature film, Eva Sorhaug’s Lønsj. I’m very excited to go to Berlin to talk to my Shooting Stars colleagues and exchange work experiences with them.