Source: Metro.se

Date: September 12, 2007

He has been praised for his portraits of touching men, such as Benny in "Grabben i graven bredvid" and Daniel in "Så som i himmelen". In "The Black Pimpernel" Michael Nyqvist plays Harald Edelstam, Sweden's ambassador to Chile during the 1970's. With danger to his life, Edelstam managed to issue asylum to hundreds of Chileans living today in Sweden.

Could you describe your role?

He was a man who could do everything. He could quote philosophers in Latin and he spoke 15 languages. He was an "action man", an aristocratic anarchist with civilian courage beyond all. He probably had a little emotional disturbance that helped him to cross borders.

How was it to record in Chile?

Cumbersome! They opened a corridor under the National Stadium for the film team. It had been closed since the torture and executions. Several cameramen had relatives executed there. It was filthy and I only felt freaky, kind of "I'm going to pretend." Then we gathered together and kept serious.

What does the movie tell us today?

I hope that it can focus on what is always important: solidarity and civilian courage. That we can remember that life is a little more than home and diet.

How do you get into a role like this?

In order to be "on", I have to shut down completely during the break. Most often I fall asleep. A girl who served mackerel when we filmed "Grabben i graven bredvid" asked "Sorry, but do you have any deficiency?"

Did you get a huge response when you talked about how you found your biological father in Italy?

Yes, very crazy. I received two sacks of letters with people's amazing stories.

What did it mean for you to find your dad?

I became a man, I think. I found my place in existence. Now we talk to each other once a month.

So now you are half-blonde?

Yes, yes. It's a bit cool.

What other profession attracts you?

- A gardener, or boat builder. Though I would like to start a small theater with a built-in theater school where you can learn the job from scratch.