With the upcoming release of The Salvation (2014) in cinemas on the 2nd October 2014 we’ve been fortunate enough to catch up with the movie’s producer, Michael Auret, to find out a little bit more about the highly rated Danish western. With details on the initial decision to produce the film, a little insight into Mads Mikkelsen’s on-set style, his best western movies of all time and the influence European cinema can have on the popular American genre, it’s a true grit interview with the producer:
What’s was it about The Salvation‘s script that made you want to produce the movie?
It’s a classic Western. The director was one of the original Dogme directors and the writer was an Oscar-winning writer, so we knew that they would be able to make a great film in a genre which is obviously very challenging given the history of the kinds of films made by Clint Eastwood, John Ford, etc. We felt that the script and the director would be able to rise to the challenge.
Why do you think western movies have gone on to be so enduring?
I think because people have a natural affinity with justice and vengeance. Classic westerns always have the protagonist being deeply injured or having suffered deep loss for which he has to both get justice and deliver vengeance. Obviously they always have action and romance which are two things that people go to movies for.
What’s your top 3 western movies?
- The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
- Unforgiven
- True Grit (the John Wayne version)
The casting for The Salvation seems perfectly balanced, how did it all come together so well?
The Danish production company Zentropa had worked with Mads Mikkelsen on prior films and so he was the first to come on board. The director Kristian Levring was able to assemble this great ensemble cast because of his stature as a filmmaker and the attraction of being a Western which appeals to most actors.
Is Mads Mikkelsen as intense in real life as he is on film, or is he just good at getting into character?
Mads was a great guy to work with – very relaxed, friendly. The director and cast and producers had dinner together every day in a very relaxed atmosphere.
We’re big fans of Eric Cantona’s fight moves and seagull speeches, as well as his amazing football skills. Did you have any part in the casting of Eric in the film?
No, he was cast by the director (Kristian Levring).
The Salvation was a big success at Cannes 2014, what do you think makes it so gripping?
It’s very well edited so that the pace and the momentum of the story is kept up all the way through and the audience doesn’t have a moment to relax, suspense is there all the way through.
The film seems to be influenced by some of the best western movies of all time. Do you think that it will go on to influence other films in the same way?
The European influence in the film, in that it’s slightly darker, sometimes more violent than traditional Westerns and there is an amazing visual style, should go on to influence other filmmakers.
 producer, Michael Auret, talks Mads, best westerns and European influences in an interview with the film section of Tuppence Magazine.){kind=link}