“Ronja Robber’s Daughter” star Kerstin Linden
This was her “most comfortable” forest experience
Kerstin Linden plays the title role in the new TV series “Ronja Robber’s Daughter”. In the interview, the Swede reveals details from the shoot.
The classic children’s book “Ronja the Robber’s Daughter” (1981) by the Swedish author Astrid Lindgren (1907-2002) has been remade into a film. The first season of the very watchable series of the same name has been available in the ARD media library since December 20th. The first three episodes will be broadcast on television today from 8:15 p.m. on Christmas Day (December 25th). Episodes four to six will be shown on Boxing Day (December 26th) from 5:45 p.m. on Das Erste. Season 2 is expected to follow in 2025.
In an interview with the news agency spot on news, the young Swedish leading actress Kerstin Linden (16) talks about the extensive filming for the story about the robber’s daughter, who becomes friends with Birk Borkason (Jack Bergenholtz Henriksson), the son of a rival robber captain.
You play the main role in the new film adaptation of the classic children’s book “Ronja the Robber’s Daughter” by Astrid Lindgren. What does this mean for you as a Swede?
Kerstin Linden: I have always loved Astrid Lindgren’s stories, and my parents read “Ronja the Robber’s Daughter” to me when I was a child. Therefore, the story has had a place in my heart for as long as I can remember. Being a part of this story now is extremely crazy and fun. It’s actually still hard to believe. I think almost everyone growing up in Sweden played Ronja or Birk as a child, and then to be the one to play that in the series is just incredible.
How did you prepare for the role?
Linden: That was actually the most complex preparation I’ve ever experienced. First of all, I learned how to ride before and during filming. And then we had these workshops where we had a movement trainer who helped us connect with the characters. For example, it made us crawl around on the ground and interact with each other as animals or with an animal spirit.
Gray dwarves, wild druids, harpies (birds), endless forests and wild robbers – all this is shown in a very scary way in the new series. How scary was it while filming?
Linden: The gray dwarves were mostly costumes, so they were pretty scary. However, the wild harpies were only created on the computer. In the scene where Ronja gets stuck in the snow and the harpy tries to pull her out, I was wearing a harness with handles on my shoulders that a man in a blue suit (a wild harpy) could use to lift me up.
Do you also like scary stories like “Harry Potter” and the like?
Linden: Yes, I like scary stories every now and then. It’s always fun to scream a little.
Have you ever been alone in the forest in your private life – and if so, what do you particularly remember?
Linden: Not entirely alone, but I remember my mother and I going into the woods to find a good spot to build a fire and grill marshmallows. That was very comfortable.
You have been in front of the camera since you were a child. How did this come about?
Linden: I can’t actually remember a specific moment that led to it, but I’ve always loved acting and acting. While I was still in elementary school I went to a theater school, which I really enjoyed.
How did it work on set, were your parents always there?
Linden: One of my parents was always there when we shot in another city or country, but they didn’t follow me on set. Only once or twice.
Did the filming conflict with school?
Linden: Yes. I was at school for about three weeks throughout the year. I had a teacher with me who helped me with my homework, but otherwise I did everything myself.
What do your classmates say about your acting success?
Linden: We don’t talk about it very much, but when it’s brought up they seem proud of me. That’s always nice to hear.
The series airs around Christmas. How do you celebrate the festival?
Linden: This year I will be with my grandparents on Christmas Eve, but the days between Christmas and New Year I will be in Gothenburg.
What tradition can’t be missed at Christmas?
Linden: A tradition that we have been cultivating for a few years is the “Bingolotto” [schwedische Lotteriespielshow zur Hauptsendezeit, Red.] the day before Christmas and on New Year’s Eve.
Every year at Christmas, not only great new series like “Ronja the Robber’s Daughter” are shown, but also the classics. What film do you traditionally watch on Christmas Eve or over the holidays?
Linden: We don’t have a specific movie that we always watch, except maybe Home Alone. Otherwise it’s always different Christmas films.
SpotOnNews
Source: Stern
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
