Sidse Babett Knudsen
Encyclopedia
Sidse Babett Knudsen is a Danish
actress who has worked in theater, television, and film. Knudsen made her screen debut in the 1997 improvisational comedy Let's Get Lost
, for which she received both the Robert
and Bodil awards for Best Actress.
Following the critical success of her debut, Knudsen has been considered one of the top Danish actresses of her generation. In 2000, she again won both best actress awards for the comedy romance Den Eneste Ene (English title: The One and Only
). Knudsen has also received nominations for her lead roles in the films Monas Verden
(Mona's World) and Efter brylluppet (After the Wedding
).
in New York until 1992. Upon returning to Denmark, Knudsen played roles for the experimental theater OVINE 302 as well as at the Betty Nansen and Royal Danish Theatre
s in Copenhagen.
's slice-of-life comedy Let's Get Lost. The film's script was only an outline, requiring the actors to improvise their roles and dialogue. Knudsen said she wasn't very good at improvisation and accepted the part only because she thought it would be a lightweight summer comedy. The film became a breakout hit in Denmark and Knudsen received both the Robert Award and the Bodil Award for Best Actress. Critics called Knudsen's performance dominating. Film critic Kim Skotte of Politiken
wrote that Knudsen had hit a new tone with a "special ability to capture the modern woman's uncertainty and strength."
Following her appearance in the 1999 television mystery Motello, Knudsen played the lead character in Susanne Bier
's 1999 romantic comedy Den Eneste Ene. The film became one of the decade's biggest box-office hits in Denmark. It marked a new direction in modern Danish romantic comedies with credit given to Knudsen's acting style. Knudsen's portrayal of Sus, a woman who becomes pregnant by her unfaithful husband while she loves another man, again earned her both the Robert Award and the Bodil Award for Best Actress.
Knudsen returned to work with Elmer in 2000 as the title character in the comedy Mona's Verden. As in Elmer's first film, Knudsen was required to improvise her dialogue and character. Knudsen's portrayal of Mona, an uptight accountant who tries to stave off the romantic infatuation of a bank robber while being held hostage, earned her a Bodil Award nomination for Best Actress.
Danish language
Danish is a North Germanic language spoken by around six million people, principally in the country of Denmark. It is also spoken by 50,000 Germans of Danish ethnicity in the northern parts of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, where it holds the status of minority language...
actress who has worked in theater, television, and film. Knudsen made her screen debut in the 1997 improvisational comedy Let's Get Lost
Let's Get Lost
Let's Get Lost may refer to:* Let's Get Lost , a 1988 Oscar-nominated documentary about jazz trumpeter Chet Baker.* Let's Get Lost , a dramatic film directed by Jonas Elmer...
, for which she received both the Robert
Robert Award
The Robert statue is a Danish film prize awarded each year by the Film Academy of Denmark. It is the Danish equivalent of the American Oscars. The award, voted only by academy members, is acknowledgement by Danish industry colleagues of a person's or film's outstanding contributions during the...
and Bodil awards for Best Actress.
Following the critical success of her debut, Knudsen has been considered one of the top Danish actresses of her generation. In 2000, she again won both best actress awards for the comedy romance Den Eneste Ene (English title: The One and Only
The One and Only (1999 film)
The One and Only is a 1999 Danish romantic comedy film directed by Susanne Bier. The film starred Sidse Babett Knudsen, Niels Olsen, Rafael Edholm, and Paprika Steen in story about two unfaithful married couples faced with becoming first-time parents...
). Knudsen has also received nominations for her lead roles in the films Monas Verden
Monas verden
Monas verden is a Danish film from 2001, directed by Jonas Elmer.The actors could work relatively freely of a script by Nikolaj Peyk. The story was first created by Jonas Elmer with Sidse Babet Knudsen, and given to the actors...
(Mona's World) and Efter brylluppet (After the Wedding
After the Wedding
After the Wedding is a 2006 Danish drama directed by Susanne Bier, starring Mads Mikkelsen and Sidse Babett Knudsen. The film was a critical and popular success and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, but lost out to The Lives of Others.In 2009 it was announced that...
).
Early career
Knudsen was born 22 November 1968 in Denmark, the daughter of Ebbe Knudsen, a photographer, and Susanne Andersen, a school teacher. From 1987 to 1990, she trained in acting at the Theater De L'Ombre in Paris despite knowing little French. She then studied method actingMethod acting
Method acting is a phrase that loosely refers to a family of techniques used by actors to create in themselves the thoughts and emotions of their characters, so as to develop lifelike performances...
in New York until 1992. Upon returning to Denmark, Knudsen played roles for the experimental theater OVINE 302 as well as at the Betty Nansen and Royal Danish Theatre
Royal Danish Theatre
The Royal Danish Theatre is both the national Danish performing arts institution and a name used to refer to its old purpose-built venue from 1874 located on Kongens Nytorv in Copenhagen. The theatre was founded in 1748, first serving as the theatre of the king, and then as the theatre of the...
s in Copenhagen.
Film career
In 1997 Knudsen debuted in the lead role of Julie in Jonas ElmerJonas Elmer
Jonas Elmer is a Swiss footballer. He currently plays for FC Sion.-Early career:Elmer was signed by English Premier League side Chelsea in the summer of 2005 from Grasshoppers...
's slice-of-life comedy Let's Get Lost. The film's script was only an outline, requiring the actors to improvise their roles and dialogue. Knudsen said she wasn't very good at improvisation and accepted the part only because she thought it would be a lightweight summer comedy. The film became a breakout hit in Denmark and Knudsen received both the Robert Award and the Bodil Award for Best Actress. Critics called Knudsen's performance dominating. Film critic Kim Skotte of Politiken
Politiken
Politiken is a Danish daily broadsheet newspaper, published by JP/Politikens Hus.The newspaper comes third among Danish newspapers in terms of both number of readers and circulated copies ....
wrote that Knudsen had hit a new tone with a "special ability to capture the modern woman's uncertainty and strength."
Following her appearance in the 1999 television mystery Motello, Knudsen played the lead character in Susanne Bier
Susanne Bier
Susanne Bier is a Danish film director best known for her feature films Brothers, After the Wedding and the Academy-Award-winning In a Better World.-Life and work:Susanne Bier was born to Jewish parents in Copenhagen, Denmark...
's 1999 romantic comedy Den Eneste Ene. The film became one of the decade's biggest box-office hits in Denmark. It marked a new direction in modern Danish romantic comedies with credit given to Knudsen's acting style. Knudsen's portrayal of Sus, a woman who becomes pregnant by her unfaithful husband while she loves another man, again earned her both the Robert Award and the Bodil Award for Best Actress.
Knudsen returned to work with Elmer in 2000 as the title character in the comedy Mona's Verden. As in Elmer's first film, Knudsen was required to improvise her dialogue and character. Knudsen's portrayal of Mona, an uptight accountant who tries to stave off the romantic infatuation of a bank robber while being held hostage, earned her a Bodil Award nomination for Best Actress.
Filmography
- Let's get lost (1997)
- Motello (1998)
- Den eneste ene (1999)
- Mifunes sidste sang (1999)
- MaxMAXMax, originally an abbreviation of "Maximilian" may refer to:-Surname:*Adolphe Max, Belgian politician*Gabriel von Max, Austrian painter*Peter Max, American artist*Tucker Max, American author-Fictional characters:...
(2000) - Mirakel (2000)
- Monas VerdenMonas verdenMonas verden is a Danish film from 2001, directed by Jonas Elmer.The actors could work relatively freely of a script by Nikolaj Peyk. The story was first created by Jonas Elmer with Sidse Babet Knudsen, and given to the actors...
(2001) - DogvilleDogvilleDogville is a 2003 drama written and directed by Lars von Trier, and starring Nicole Kidman, Lauren Bacall, Chloë Sevigny, Paul Bettany, Stellan Skarsgård, Udo Kier, and James Caan...
: The Pilot (2001) - Fukssvansen (2001)
- Se til venstre, der er en svensker (2003)
- Villa Paranoia (2004)
- Fakiren fra Bilbao (2004)
- Efter brylluppet (2006)
- Til døden os skiller (2007)
- Blå mænd (2007/2008)
- Over gaden under vandet (2009)
- Parterapi (2010)
- BorgenBorgen (Danish TV series)Borgen is a Danish one-hour political drama television series...
(2010/2011)
External links
- Sidse Babett Knudsen at IMDb
- Sidse Babett Knudsen at Den Danske Film Database (in Danish)
- Sidse Babett Knudsen at Den Danske Film Database (in Danish)