Photo: Line Klein

Christer Olsson has interviewed Tuva Novotny for the september issue of  the swedish magazine “Live!” (Leva!).  He has kindly allowed us to translate it and publish it here.

The beautiful shots are taken by Line Klein,who has photographed the images for the article. Thank you so much for letting us publish them.

ALTERNATIVE There is nothing expected with Tuva Novotny. Either in opinions or life choices. To appear on gala premiers and magazine covers? No way! Yet, she has walked all the way to Hollywood – and back.

It is ten years ago since I met Tuva Novotny. But she is the same when she’s coming towards me on Larsbjörnstraede in central Copenhagen. Radiantly beautiful, broad smile and sparkling blue-green eyes. Many of her views are also the same. Although she rather expresses them in columns on the web than in interviews. Other things have changed. She has blockbuster movies such as, Jalla Jalla, Slim Susie, Day and Night and The Wedding Photographer and TV-series as Skilda världar [english: Different worlds] and Herr von Hancken, Snapphanar and 183 days behind her, she is married to a Norwegian, has a three-year daughter, living in an apartment a stone’s throw away and she is no longer a vegetarian. So we meet at a very copenhagian place: an open sandwich-restaurant. And starts to discuss national characteristics.
- Norway is just red cheeks for many, lusekofte sweaters and surreptitious racism, but after having lived with a Norwegian for six years and worked and spent much time there, the country is a pleasant surprise, and the film industry in Norway is among the most exciting right now. The Norwegians are blissfully free of both Bergman and Dogme-cult – a completely blank slate. I have commuted the whole spring to Oslo, where I work on a TV series called Dag, which is one of the darkest I’ve ever read, existentialy dark…
The series is about a male couple therapist who believes that people have their best life on their own and Tuva plays a woman who has come home to sort out her life after ten years in Goa.
- His clientele decreases rather quickly because he advises everyone to divorce (laughter)…

PAPARAZZI IN THE TREES
On July 9th Tuva’s movie “Dear Alice” will premiere with among others Danny Glover from Lethal Weapon, on July 30th Kjell Sundvall’s Bröderna Karlsson [english: The Karlsson Brothers] and in August Eat Pray Love with Julia Roberts.
The 9th of July Tuva has premiered on Dear Alice, and plays together with Danny Glover from Lethal Weapon, on July 30th Kjell Sundvall’s Bröderna Karlsson [english: The Karlsson Brothers] premieres and in August Eat Pray Love with Julia Roberts. During the latter filming, the paparazzi were hanging in the trees to get pictures of the world star.
- It was as much Hollywood as it could be, says Tuva and smiles. I was hugely impressed by the fantastic machinery. It was a cool experience that both fed my fascination before the industry of Hollywood and gave me an incredible homesickness. It was just as fantastic coming home to Copenhagen with a small, intimate, team of 10-15 persons. For Tuva it was big playing against Julia Roberts, even if they, as she puts it, “not exactly text each other”. – We are a whole generation of young women who’s grown up with Pretty Woman without reflecting on what one liked or didn’t like. The interesting thing is that a whole generation was fascinated by it. And as I remember there wasn’t any big moral discussions around the movie, she was just a happy prostitute (laughter).

Not even now Tuva gets particularly upset by the movie. – If you want to read inequality and equality problematics into everything then you can, my god! But I feel that we are an entire generation of women that has come a step further than that. That has found a matter of course in an existence that is not only gender based but just … is. All girls have had a princess-period. Of course you can provide alternatives to gender stereotypes that exist historically, but deny that we dream of the big love — whether it is a man or a woman, prince or princess — is also ridiculous. She waves upset with the fork above her shrimp sandwich. – I’ve gotten a lot of comments about me turning against the current beauty ideals — damn, should everyone be without make up and boring now — oh my god, I love high heels and I love Pretty Woman. Except it is important there are alternatives.
So you can imagine yourself with lacquered thigh high boots? – Why not? Why shouldn’t women get to dress the way they want sometimes? I think that is my right, even if I personally don’t find it very good-looking…

AGAINST THE NICE-GIRL-NORM
Since she moved to Denmark, Tuva’s opinions has become less politically correct. – As a woman in Sweden I can feel that there is a nice-girl-norm you live by, you’re supposed to smile and be nice. I don’t feel that the Danish women have that at all. You don’t need to smile if you don’t want to, you don’t need to be cute… it’s enough if you are strong and good at something. Of course it’s about what classes in society you meet and what social crowds you move in, but there is another hell of determination among girls in Denmark. That’s why I believe a character like Lisbeth Salander becomes so acclaimed; we need other female role models than the fair, nordic fairies we’ve danced with for 200 years. Even if I don’t think you need to be painted black and in rivets to be taken seriously.Tuvas Denmark-adventure started with her visiting friends in Copenhagen.
- I liked the town very much, in 2001 I did Midsummer, a Danish youth thriller, got a few really close friends during filming and started to hang there. Every time I crossed the bridge it was like a weight was lifted from my shoulders. It is so nice and relaxing here, surely partly because I’m not recognized. Some people may experience it as a freedom to come into a new context where there aren’t any preconceptions about them — that is of course something that only goes on in my head — and where I was in my career and in life it was unbelievable nice to just start over.
She soon discovered Denmark was more different than Sweden than she had believed.
- It wasn’t just the language that was much harder than I thought, it is the people and folk soul too. Just take the political debate in Sweden, I think there is a light years difference from how it is here! I know that we Swedes find it funny to talk about how crude and racist the Danes are, but we have the exact same tendencies here in Sweden, they are just more underlying. I can easier identify myself with a dialogue or a big brawl on the front pages where they swear and curse and uses words we would never use in Sweden because it wouldn’t be politically correct. Rather that and that there are results! Here people go out and demonstrate whenever there is something. I think that is good, it gives some kind of basic sense of democracy that I haven’t felt in Sweden. It’s not a reason as to why I moved here but here I can feel; God what it means a lot as to how people feel!
She smiles.
- I have grown up with a father from Czechoslovakia and we have been taught to yell curse words after the police! That’s not something you are taught in Sweden. At home I hear myself telling my daughter that the police are very kind (laughter)…
That’s about as much as you find out about Tuva’s family — except that her husband works in the IT industry.

Photo: Line Klein

DO NOT WANT TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE
- If I start telling about what it’s like to be a mom, I also have to expect to be questioned, says Tuva. And that I already am as a hard-working professional mom, should I then also turn it into a public matter? I can’t bother with it, but of course it’s pretty obvious one is happy for having a child…
The voice gets a tad more sharp.
- I don’t want to live in the public spotlight. I have a job that to some level requires that, but it was hard as a 16-year old to be questioned — why do you think that? Since then I’ve had an instinctive feeling that I don’t want to be held accountable for more than I already account for in life. One is in a continuous process of development and it gets very weird to cement in interview form that I think this and this. I panic, it narrows one’s possibility to evolve in life. How you appear is an extension of that. You should not only cement your ideas, thoughts and opinions, but also a kind of an ideal of appearance by letting you be styled and done according to a fashion norm. In the end you don’t know what you stand for…
She gets quiet and observe the big portion of quenelles and potato salad before her with delightful horror.
- If you take off your clothes or get your breasts done or is on the cover styled and fixed, then that is something you should stand for afterwards. Moreover it is a statement — look at me! And I have never had that need — and I deeply and sincerely believe not all actors have that need, although most of them do. That’s why I find nothing attractive in attending movie premieres, others or my own, gala performances or being on a TV-show — no fucking way! I don’t want to be seen that way.
She tries to avoid nude scenes in the movies she is in, but she is not too prude.
- It is my character that is naked, not me. But mostly nudity takes focus from the audience — one stop thinking what the movie is about and only watches breasts and asses…
You as well?
- Of course! We are humans! It comes with biology, reproduction… We walk in clothes for the most part so it is not that often we get to see naked people. But it also gets really ridiculous when it gets like in American movies where the girl wakes up in full equipment — that’s where the line is drawn.
She quiets.
- If you, like me, choose not to participate at all it becomes incredibly provocative to many. Such a big deal. Why is it so interesting? Because today one blog, tweet, is on Facebook, put out one’s private life, wants to be seen. But I think what I do is completely normal — the major part of the population don’t want to be seen, I believe. If I go online it’s completely disgusting to read in writing what every damn one who has an opinion of you thinks! That’s really the backside to the Internet — adult bullying. What went on in the break room before goes on in the public now — of course it is hard, and my business is extra exposed.

WAS BULLIED AS A CHILD
Tuva was herself bullied during a period in school in Värmland.
- It was when I was 10-12 years old. Parent-teacher meetings and meetings. But that has been good for me later in life to strengthen my own sense of individualism. I have thought a lot about it — especially now that I have a child of my own. It’s not so damn easy to be a parent and a good role model when the only thing you see on TV at the moment is adult bullying — it is disgusting!
Have you become softer since you got a child?
- No, a lot tougher. I have become a lioness! The worry I of course also experience I believe is biological, hormonal. The reason is that you understand how big life is and how valuable it is.
Are you satisfied with you life?
- Yes, I am. There are always things you can do better, but I don’t believe in regret and whipping yourself. There is something self-absorbed, introspective in it. It’s very acting-like to sit and dwell on what you have done — but life is too short for that.

Photo: Line Klein

TUVAS THOUGHTS ABOUT…
…fashion: I can understand that fashion has an enormous influence on society, or mirrors society in an exciting way, signals belonging and political viewpoint, but I find it more exciting to meet a person and receive his or hers opinions and personality than facing a statement that is on the outside.
…her most expensive piece of clothing: A very dramatic evening gown from Vivienne Westwood, England’s and the world’s punk queen, that I bought on sale for half price. It was pretty expensive, about 5000 SEK (about $750). That’s the limit for me.
…facebook: Never. However, I have discovered twice that someone is pretending to be me on Facebook.
…age: I look forward to retirement. Finally you get a choice. When you are 30 it’s just stress and rush.
…parents: Both mother, father and my step mother has influenced me greatly. They have always been careful to say that I am good just the way I am and that I can do anything I want. And my mother said early that it is good to have other adult role models.
…death: We live in a society where we don’t talk of how people die and aren’t well. “He is a little bit depressed”, “she feels a little bit unwell”… Always “a little”. Oh my god, just tell the kids that the cow we eat said moo yesterday, that grandma is dying. It’s incredibly important to understand that death is a part of life.
…”The Wedding Photographer”: I love Ulf Malmroos — and his wife and kids! They have their feet on the ground and are enough open to life to let dark be dark and light be light, with one hell of a lot of humor!
…”Dear Alice”: I unfortunately didn’t have any scenes against Danny Glover, but I met him. He is very sympathetic, quiet and laid back — that suits me fine!
…”The Karlsson Brothers”: Filming-wise and technically it was hell unprecedented! But at the same time incredibly fun!

• Othman Karim’s movie “Dear Alice” has become a hit with both movie goers and critics. Tuva Novotny and Peter Gardiner plays the couple who are fighting with themselves and against social norms.
• They are doing the same in reality.

This year, Tuva Novotny’s career has been spiced with Hollywood glitter. In private Tuva Novotny’s life is not very glamorous.
- I can not stand Sex and the City, says the actress.

She is wearing a checkered shirt, horse t-shirt and jeans. Tuva Novotny, 30, points out how she is dressed to the question of how glamorous her life is now. It’s a press conference for the film “Dear Alice” where she plays Karin Said, a lawyer, mother of two and wife to Moses.

Seemed stereotype
- The role seemed to be a stereotypical female role, mother of two in a mid-career, how will she get it together? But it turns out that her problem is something completely different, it’s about her husband and his cultural roots, says Tuva Novotny to Aftonbladet.
The film deals with strong subjects, xenophobia, sexism and social class. Important issues according to Tuva Novotny.
- The film spoke so clearly to me and everyone around me regardless of color, form, or sex. It is important not to diminish the subjects here in Sweden where we are so afraid to take up important topics.

Playing against Julia Roberts
This fall, the movie “Eat, Pray, Love”  has Swedish première. Julia Roberts plays the leading role, Tuva Novotny has a big supporting role. And even if “Dear Alice” also has its Hollywood glitter with “Lethal Weapon”-star Danny Glover as one of the actors, Tuva’s life is still not very glamorous.
- I get really stressed out by things like that. I can not stand “Sex and the City”‘, I’m not near these girls because Hollywood has shaped glamorous life in that way. I can not identify with it at all.

“Hard job”
Instead, she asserts that it takes hard work to succeed. Not red carpets.
- I’m trying to say to all that talk about appearing in the right context, that it’s about to do a good job instead, in all contexts. It’s the most important thing. But with the Internet’s openness, it has become a sort of distorted picture in relation to performance and publicity, “if you are exposed, then you exist”. It’s not the way it is.

More press has been done by Tuva! Today’s paper Metro features a new article (written by Anneli Wikström) with Tuva, available here.

There is a lot of Tuva Novotny now. She’s currently in Kjell Sundsvalls upcoming film “Bröderna Karlsson”, currently in the cinema “Dear Alice” and in the Hollywood film “Eat, Pray, Love”. In the latter she plays against none other than Julia Roberts.

–It was scary and inspiring. It was pretty scary at first, since I have seen her in thousands of films when I was a child. And she was very professional. I just had to get over my fascination and go, says Tuva.

Did you learn anything from her?

– Not technically. If you have worked with film you know how it goes. But she inspired me. She is very careful to keep a private sphere and it surprised me to see how strongly she separates private life and her professional role. It was also fun to watch that she sets demands to be able to do a good job. She doesn’t please anyone to fit in.

Tuva is also known for being private about her life. When getting close to questions regarding family, her children or love she politely but firmly says stop. The little private one knows about Tuva is that she lives in Copenhagen with her Norwegian husband and daughter. She speaks fluently Danish, so well that she got the main part in a Danish film that will be filmed this summer.

Here in Sweden she is current in “Dear Alice”. Tuva plays career woman Karin who struggles with family life in a film that bring thoughts to “Short cuts”. But Tuva does not want to say she recognize herself with Karin’s troubles.

– First and foremost is Karin’s main problem about the fight to stand up for her husband. That is the fascination with the film, that it surprises. But then everyone struggles with the family life. I struggle to keep it all together.

Tuva Novotny’s breakthrough was Nora in the tv series “Skilda Världar” and has had roles in films such as “Jalla! Jalla!” “Tic Tac” and “Smala Sussie”.

How often do you say no to roles?

– Not that often. There aren’t that many opportunities. I say no if it doesn’t feel good or if it isn’t an important job. Or if I don’t have the time. That is important to prioritize.

How do you choose what films to make?

– If you would be strategic you would perhaps take on a role in a cop film. But I don’t think like that. I choose with my heart and stomach.

Could you regret roles like “Skilda världar”?

– No. Life is too short to regret something. All projects have given me something in one way or another. It might sound cocky but fact is that life goes by fast.

Do you dream of success in Hollywood?

– Not at all. I dream of continuing like I do now. Film some in Sweden, Denmark and USA. The deeper dreams are about family, friends, good food, good wine. Work is secondary.

Tuva will be spending the summer in Denmark and Sweden’s west coast. There she has her favorite spots. And some work of course. The Danish film “ID:A” will be filmed in Denmark and France.

Will you bring the family then?

– You know I do not answer that, says Tuva with a wink.
– Let me put it this way; I manage everything and everyone is happy.

Anneli Wikström
anneli.wikstrom@metro.se

Swedish premiere: 9 July 2010