Venice: Mads Mikkelsen Asked Why His New Film, Set in 18th Century Denmark, Lacks Diversity

The star and director behind Venice competition title “The Promised Land” were dumbfounded when, at the film’s press conference, they were asked about their film’s lack of diversity.

Nikolaj Arcel’s historical drama, set in the 18th century, follows an army captain (Mikkelsen) struggling to raise his social status and maintain his values in an increasingly hostile environment. The film is based on a novel inspired by the life of Captain Ludvig Kahlen.

A journalist from Denmark asked Mikkelsen and Arcel about the film only having white actors, which is an odd thing to question given that it’s set in a Nordic country during the 18th century. If you want make the film as authentic as possible then you need to stick with that time’s details.

The film is “entirely Nordic, it therefore has some lack of diversity you would say, there’s also new rules implied in Hollywood…” the journalist said.

As you can see from the video, Mikkelsen immediately shakes his head in disbelief, laughs and turns to his director. “I don’t understand the question,” says Mikkelsen. Arcel decided to answer the best he could.

“First of all, the film takes place in Denmark in the 1750s […] It wasn’t a thought in our mind…I think it would be a little weird … it’s just how it was in the 1750s,” Arcel finishes, with Mikkelsen grinning beside him.

Arcel shouldn’t have been so nice. He should have bluntly stated, “you cannot create art in such preposterous conditions.”