Sidse Babett Knudsen on her transformation into a prison guard

From the head of the Danish government to prison. Revealed by political series BoganThe most French-friendly Danish actress Sid Barbette Knudsen Joining forces with the most promising director among his compatriots The culprit Gustav Möller signs new breathless closed-door meeting with him son (French for “Sons”), in theaters since Wednesday. Sidse Babett Knudsen plays a prison guard who comes into a confrontation with the extremely violent prisoner Mikkel. His arrival upsets Eva. The model civil servant asks to be transferred to the high-security unit where the tattooed young man is stationed.

READ ALSOOur review of The Son: Prison Heart

LEFIGARO.FR – What attracted you to this commitment to closing the doors of this prison?

Sid Barbet Knudsen. I was impressed by his previous films. The culpritwhich had been made behind closed doors, by Gustav Möller. I really wanted to work with him. When I told him about it, he said he wanted to make a film about prison. So I was able to follow the various stages of the creation of Sons. The culprit and in son, Gustav Moeller There was a gift for rhythm and cadence. There was something musical in his writing. And, that’s how we worked. Even though the script was there, I would come to the set every day and ask him: What do you want me to do?

As a prison officer, what do you think of Eva’s daily life?

Gustav Möller’s advisor was Martin Sørensen, the former director. He was a real mentor. He explained to me how everything worked in the prison. He showed me the gestures needed: putting on the uniform, taking the keys. I wanted every movement to be believable. I spent a lot of time walking around this abandoned prison where we filmed. It was paradoxical to spend so much time in a space where people can’t leave. I was attracted by the very specific sounds and echoes: the corridors, the cell doors. The prison is a self-contained sound universe that takes you back to the present. This made me want to develop a more instinctive, abstract game – like studying the animal inside me – but I don’t always have the opportunity to do that. I don’t think she thinks in words. Eva is not socially adept. She believes she is invisible. When we talk to him, it’s as if the information is not passing through his ears, but through the cells of his body. It’s slower.

How did director Gustav Möller come into this game?

I love that this shoot is based on trust and availability. I often stand in front of him looking into his big eyes wondering what is going on in his head? What does he want from me? What is he thinking? We toured a lot of places without stopping. There are these experiences of framing, angles. His camera is still in the hallway, filming my face. I see myself differently. Gustave is direct and simple. He is a master of choosing these small moments.

Initially, Eva humiliates and punishes Mikel, then turns around and seeks to protect him. How do you explain this contradictory trajectory?

Eva has suffered so much: her whole personality, her whole self, her whole past has been buried. She repressed everything. All that remains is the need to do something, to bring a little change for the better in this world, even if it’s just a millimeter. She feels guilty for her son’s failure, for having helped create a monster, and if I completely destroyed the child entrusted to me, what on earth am I doing? She needs to be forgiven. But she doesn’t know how. Mikkel awakens in her a storm of illogical emotions. Between revenge and redemption.

When we think of Denmark, we think more about the welfare state than its miserable prison system, which has been the core of the series Prisoners starring Sofie Grabol (and broadcast on MyCanal).

It is a particular ecosystem of power relations. Between prisoners, between prisoners and guards. Prisons create segregation for those who are incarcerated and for those who work there. I was surprised to see so many women, especially middle-aged women like Eva, working there. By chance, we shot in the same prison. This series uses a prisoner . However, I would rather not look at it: the two projects were carried out almost at the same time.