Dar Salim and Trine Dyrholm: Exploring Trauma Through Complex Characters
Renowned Danish actors Dar Salim and Trine Dyrholm are captivating audiences with their portrayals of characters grappling with profound trauma and the lingering effects of war. Salim, known for his roles in “Game of Thrones” and “The Covenant,” and Dyrholm, celebrated for her performances in “The Girl With the Needle” and “Queen of Hearts,” recently discussed their latest projects at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF), shedding light on their approaches to embodying characters burdened by Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and the challenges of portraying such complex emotional landscapes.
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Dar Salim’s Immersive Experience in “Hercules Falling”
In Christian Bonke’s “Hercules Falling,” Dar Salim takes on the role of Youssef, a war veteran haunted by his experiences in Afghanistan and Iraq. The film delves into Youssef’s struggle to control his anger after a near-fatal incident at home, leading him to seek help at a special facility. What sets “Hercules Falling” apart is its unique blend of documentary and fiction, incorporating real war veterans into the narrative. The film is shot partly at a retreat center on the Danish island of Strynø, run by Anne-Line Ussing and Stuart Press, who himself was diagnosed with PTSD after serving in the Australian Army.
Salim emphasized the importance of authenticity in portraying Youssef. He explained that the script is a “cocktail of real experiences” drawn from the veterans’ lives. By interacting with and learning from these veterans, Salim aimed to translate their stories and energy to the screen, creating a deeper and more resonant experience for the audience. He believes that the use of real veterans in a real veterans center adds a special layer of depth and honesty to the film, going beyond what could be achieved with purely fictional performances.
Salim, who won the Best Actor award at PÖFF in 2018 for “Until We Fall,” approaches the role with a deep sense of empathy and understanding, drawing on his own personal connection to war and displacement. As a refugee who fled Iraq with his parents at a young age, Salim acknowledges that PTSD is not a foreign concept to him. He emphasizes the importance of approaching the subject with an open mind, curiosity, and a willingness to learn from those who have firsthand experience.
Trine Dyrholm’s Transformation into “The Danish Woman”
Trine Dyrholm stars in the new series “The Danish Woman” as Ditte Jensen, a retired Danish Secret Service agent seeking a quiet life in Reykjavik, Iceland. However, her past as an elite soldier and warrior continues to define her, leading her to assist her neighbors in unexpected ways. The series, directed by Benedikt Erlingsson (Woman at War), explores the complexities of Ditte’s character, a woman struggling to reconcile her brutal past with her desire for peace and normalcy.
Dyrholm describes Ditte as a “very brutal character” shaped by her experiences in war. The director, Erlingsson, playfully characterizes her as a mix of Napoleon, Pippi Longstocking, and Rambo, highlighting the character’s contradictory nature. Like Salim’s character in “Hercules Falling,” Ditte also grapples with PTSD, triggered by flashbacks to her time in various war zones. Dyrholm prepared for the role by immersing herself in Ditte’s perspective, trying to see the world through her eyes and understand her motivations. She acknowledges the challenge of portraying such a complex and damaged character, but also the unique opportunity to explore the human cost of war and violence.
Dyrholm emphasizes that while research is important, ultimately it’s about inhabiting the character’s mind and emotions. “Sometimes, we have to do a lot of research, but basically it is trying to put on the character’s eyes and look at the world from their perspective.” She acknowledges the saturation of war imagery in contemporary media, but stresses the importance of connecting with the individual stories and experiences of those affected by conflict.
The Universal Resonance of Trauma and Healing
Both Dar Salim and Trine Dyrholm’s roles highlight the universal themes of trauma, resilience, and the search for healing. While their characters’ experiences are rooted in the specific context of war and military service, the underlying emotions of pain, loss, and the struggle to find meaning in the aftermath of trauma resonate with audiences from all walks of life. Salim points out that everyone experiences hurt and hardship in life, whether it be through divorce, family issues, or health problems. “Hercules Falling,” he argues, uses the extreme environment of war to explore the broader human experience of dealing with adversity and finding a path towards recovery.
Conclusion
Dar Salim and Trine Dyrholm’s commitment to portraying complex characters with authenticity and sensitivity is a testament to their talent and dedication as actors. By immersing themselves in the experiences of war veterans and drawing on their own personal connections to trauma, they bring a depth and nuance to their performances that is both compelling and thought-provoking. “Hercules Falling” and “The Danish Woman” promise to be powerful and moving explorations of the human cost of war and the enduring search for healing and redemption.
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