Stellan Skarsgård ‘Went Down Half a Million’ in Salary to Feed ‘Sentimental Value’ Crew
The actor executive produced Joachim Trier’s Grand Prix-winning Sentimental Value, but ended up with only a half of his salary — here’s why.
Box office success and critics’ recognition might be the driving force for many movie producers and directors, but for some there’s nothing better than just a good lunch to have a filming break with.
As it now turns out, Swedish actor Stellan Skarsgård does appreciate small things like this when it comes to working conditions on set, and he even broke one of his long-lasting rules to change the situation.
More recently, the actor came on board for Norwegian filmmaker Joachim Trier’s comedy drama Sentimental Value as an executive producer and a leading actor, sacrificing a part of his salary just for something he didn’t get to have upon working in Norway decades ago.
Stellan Skarsgård Reveals He Always Had Bad Lunches While Working in Norway
It might not be a frequent reason for feuds among moviemakers whose biggest concern is usually about money, but Skarsgård seemingly cared more about his and his cast mates’ well-being on set.
“I lost eight kilos on ‘Insomnia.’ We would usually get a loaf of bread, that’s pre-sliced, and a plastic salami. That’s it! I’ve made other films in Norway since then, but it has always said in my contract that everybody should get lunches of the highest European standard. And that’s expensive”, the actor revealed in a recent interview with Variety, referring to the time he was filming Erik Skjoldbjærg’s 1997 thriller Insomnia which was later remade by Christopher Nolan.
Skarsgård also implied things were similar with other Norwegian directors, noting that Norway is one of the richest countries but somehow doesn’t want to spend money on proper food.
Stellan Skarsgård Went Down “Half a Million Kroner” In Exchange for Proper Food for Cast and Crew
Even though the actor once promised himself he wouldn’t work with a single Norwegian director until normal food is served on set, at some point he might have thought he would be the one to finally change things.
As Skarsgård also admitted, he went on to spend a part of his salary for Sentimental Value just to bring some good food for his colleagues and himself. He agreed to receive "half a million kroner" less (around $50,000).
“Also, the food has to be served on real china – no plastic, paper bags or whatever. And you’re not standing in line, you sit down and eat. It makes everybody happier and makes the film much better. I haven’t made one bad film in Norway since”, the actor added jokingly.
In the meantime, Sentimental Value is now scheduled for a limited release in the US on November 7.
