Advertisement

VIDEO: Norway's Down's Syndrome detective

Richard Orange
Richard Orange - [email protected]
VIDEO: Norway's Down's Syndrome detective
Svein André Hofsø as detective Robert Bogerud

A Norwegian film about a detective with Down's Syndrome has sparked huge interest abroad, with the lead actor Svein André Hofsø, who himself suffers the condition, interviewed by the BBC on Wednesday.

Advertisement

"I was fed up with the usual detective routine," Bård Breien told the BBC's Jon Sopel. "I said if I'm ever going to make a film about a detective, he's going to have Down's Syndrome." 

Hofsø, 33, had previously on starred in an amateur film made by his brother and sister, spent a year preparing for the part, putting in such a good performance that it challenges viewers' assumptions about what Down's Syndrome people are capable of. 

"A lot of people told me that it might end up on the bad taste side of it," Breien said. "It was a struggle to make him act so well that he became a beautiful main film character."

In September, Hofsø won an award for best actor at the Fantastic Fest film festival in Texas 

Hofsø said that if the film is a success, he was considering a film career. 

"We have no plans to make number two yet, but it is a good idea. If this film is going to be success, maybe," he said.  

The film premieres in Norway next month. 

More

Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.

Please log in to leave a comment.

See Also