Actor Michael Nyqvist  knows a lot about having two mothers.

Source: Dagbladet.no - May 8, 2006

Nyqvist: It affects me every day, in every role. The first chapter in my life was different from many others. It's hard to become racist or xenophobic for something like that, because you realize how much life is about luck.

No, Michael Nyqvist does not talk about his new movie or about strong experiences at the theater scene. He discusses the drama of his life: time spent as an orphan, about being adopted and the later pursuit of his biological parents. These private experiences give extra depth to the film he is promoting in Oslo -  "Mother of Mine" - a film about where you really belong.

Here he is. Sweden's sexiest man in 2004. The man who made such a strong impression on Norwegian cinema rats in the movies "Together", "The Guy in the Grave Next Door" and "As It is in Heaven"...

Dagbladet:  Why did you say yes to this role?

Nyqvist: My grandfather was in Finland during the war as a volunteer Swedish soldier. That is, my grandfather in the family I was adopted by. I was at first in an orphanage. I did not know anything about that part of my grandfather's life until one day rummaging around in the basement at home, I came across a bayonet, Finnish medals and some kind of helmet. So I asked my mother, "What's this?" And she burst into tears.

Dagbladet: His adoptive mother had received Finnish children, such as Eero, during the war. She was so seized by her fates that she later failed to talk about them without crying. The helmet, medals and bayonet brought back the memories.

Nyqvist: Finland's aid became a constant theme around the dinner table at home, also because of my grandfather's war effort. So there was already some kind of emotional pressure when I was presented with the script.

Dagbladet: How was it playing Hjalmar (the father)?

Nyqvist: Hjalmar is a kind of man I do not have much to spare. He displaces having lost a child and instead replaces another as a patch on the wound. When I went to school, I would try to take care of those who fell outside. I do not quite know why, but I liked it. Once in 8th grade we received a new student. She came from Norway, was red-haired, freckled and thick. I was overwhelmed - I should truly help! Later, someone called her big, fat and nasty. I hit my fist on the table so the gas burners fluttered and said, "Imagine if you had looked like that!"... It was probably the worst someone did to her. Hjalmar is a bit the same way. He has good intentions, but ends up hurting others.

Dagbladet: Do you understand how Eero's mother sends her son away?

Nyqvist:  No, not really...

Dagbladet: When he's not doing movies or is on the stage, Michael Nyqvist takes life calmly.

Nyqvist: I run in the woods. I'm with my kids. I enjoy a cup of coffee and I stroll around without thinking anything special. And then I partake in good food and drink. Certainly Italian. My father is Italian.

Dagbladet: Your biological father?

Nyqvist: That's right. We often visit him and my half-sisters.

Dagbladet: Nyqvist was one and a half years old when he came to his adoptive family.

Nyqvist: I was told about the adoption when I was five and thought "Aha, that's why I look different." But I did not look for my biological origin until I had my own children. I know why it was important to me, but it's private.

Dagbladet: The meeting with the father became a happy story. It was different with the mother.

Nyqvist: We only met one hour. But I can tell my children how she realized she is Swedish - and that's something...  Biological parents, adoptive parents, it's about how people connect to each other - just like in "Mother of Mine." It must be up to each individual if they want to meet their biological parents or not. Sometimes things are going well, sometimes not. But my experience is that it's better to know than to rely on fantasies.
 

[Edited translation]