Read the Q&A below which has been condensed and edited for clarity.
NIKOLAJ ARCEL:Yeah, we never left each other, truly.
He said, Sure, if the script is good Ill do it.
Nikolaj Arcel and Mads Mikkelsen attend the Venice Film Festival for the world premiere of The Promised LandGetty
DEADLINE: So was it kind of do or die?
Like if Mads had said no, you wouldnt have done it?ARCEL:For me it was.
I didnt want to do it with anybody else.
Mads Mikkelsen in The Promised LandZentropa Entertainments
DEADLINE:Did you veer very far from the book?ARCEL:We did at times.
MIKKELSEN:But still gutsy enough, especially in the beginning.
So thats really gutsy and thats also a beautiful part of the story.
I tend to have nice breaks of three-four months when I wrap something up.
Ive always done that so its no exception here.
Mads, you took part in major franchises and continue to work between the U.S. and Denmark or Europe.
For me, the whole experience of working on a studio picture was not a very happy one.
It was very different from here where its very much about your vision as a director and your film.
Youre just a hired hand and that was not a pleasant experience for me at times.
I dont think I would want to do exactly that kind of film again.
Can you do a Brit?
And then they say, ah I dont mind, I kind of like when you do that.
So what they like is what they want to use.
That happens the second the budget is at a certain level.
Where was my talent?
MIKKELSEN:Were so not used to it, right… Its just a very different experience.
Theres obviously some stuff that has to be fixed and we are all in favor of that.
DEADLINE: Mads, what specifically brings you back to Danish filmmaking?
I imagine the collaboration is part of it…MIKKELSEN:Yeah, it is.
And then on top of that there was a story I really loved.
So that brings you back.
Its my friends, its my stories, its my language so its nice to be home.
DEADLINE: And its a great character.
Hes a little bit difficult to like at certain times.
We were very aware.
If not, if we do it all the time, it wont happen.
But that sometimes happens, like, I amboooredof this guy.
But this one is small still, and its nice.
