MADS KOUDAL
WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO DIRECT AND WRITE YOUR OWN FILMS AND NOT ONLY BE AN ACTOR?
I have always loved the art form of film. I have gradually worked as an actor for several years, and in that process, I have of course had my focus on acting, but it came very naturally that I also started to get interested in the other functions behind the camera. The thing about directing I thought was interesting quite early on, being able to create my own works from scratch. Before I jumped into directing my own projects, I learned how to edit, and I'm glad it came in that order. I have unfortunately been writing for many years, but at the beginning it was just ideas in the desk drawer. But luckily that changed. And now I like to alternate between being in front and behind the camera.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO CREATE FINDERS KEEPERS?
My three previous films I have written and directed were social realism and with Finders Keepers I felt like throwing myself into a genre I had not explored before. I was drawn towards working with a magical realism and consciously mixing genres, such as drama, horror and comedy. I wanted to work with an absurd setting, but where the core story itself is about loss when you lose someone, you love dearly. It is the first of my films that originates from something that happened. A crazy story I once heard, and which I cannot reveal here, without also revealing important parts of the film's plot.
WHAT OBSTACLES DID YOU ENCOUNTER WHEN PLAYING THE LEAD ROLE IN FINDERS KEEPERS WHILE ALSO DIRECTING, WRITING & PRODUCING THE FILM?
I think it went quite well and without major obstacles. Fortunately, I have experience directing myself, but only in short sketches. But since this is a fictional film, I couldn't just "wing it" on set. In my previous films, I probably worked more impulse-driven as a director, whereas with Finders Keepers I stuck more to the plan. I am very improvisational, both as an actor and as a director. And here I had to rein myself in more, as I was wearing several caps. Other than that, it was very much the same, I think it's about being a good motivator and rope holder.
YOU PREVIOUSLY PLAYED A PART IN GANGS OF LONDON CREATED BY GARETH EVANS. HOW WAS IT TO WORK ON SUCH A BIG PRODUCTION?
It was the third time I had the pleasure of working with Gareth Evans, and GANGS OF LONDON was a huge experience to be part of. Big action set pieces, fights, shootings, explosions and wild stunts. It was fun. After all, I grew up watching action films and love it, and all of a sudden, I myself am part of a large production with lots of action and practical effects. And then I tried to play a cynical assassin and had my own little army of soldiers under me. Something I also take with me from the series is the combat/military training we received before filming began.
FUTURE GOALS?
Yes, I have several of them. I primarily work as a hospital clown in hospitals, and I love it. As an actor, you most often work as a freelancer, so you never know what jobs will come through the door. But I can say that I am loosely involved in a couple of feature films, but which films will go all the way and get support, I simply cannot know. Behind the camera, I am working on a feature film with the working title "RODEO". It is a drama, and it is based on an environment that I know quite well. But I won't divulge more about the story itself now and here. The next natural leap for me is to direct my first feature film. But if the right idea for a short film creeps in, then it must be made. I know that several directors only make short films, as a kind of ticket to a feature film. I don't quite feel that way. I dream of making a feature film, but I also love the short film format. I find the challenge of telling a sharp and important story in 10-20 minutes very interesting and motivating.
ABOUT
Mads Koudal is a Danish actor, director and screenwriter known for KEEPERS FINDERS & BULLDOZER which was shortlisted as the Danish Oscar-bid 2024 / IMDb
