Stream Close Up

Director Lisa Ohlin joins Brian to discuss her career including her experience at NYU Film School and her journey in film and TV. They cover Lisa's work from feature films Vernada för en Tenor and Simon and the Oaks (Simon och Ekarna) to the latest instalment of the long running and much beloved Beck franchise Beck 45 - 58 Minuter.Among other topics, they explore Lisa's successful approach to working with performers such as Krister Henriksson and Liv Mjönes and how her work as a writer supports her in her role as director. Titles covered:Beck 45 - 58 MinuterSthlm RequiemVeranda för en tenor / Waiting for a Tenor Sex, Hopp & Kärlek / Sex Hope and LoveSimon och ekarna / Simon and the Oaks See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week Walter Iuzzolino joins Brian to discuss the origins of Walter Presents and the launch of the service in Scandinavia. Walter may have the best job in the world. Join us as he tells us all bout the joys and challenges of curating the best of European television. Walter Iuzzolino might just have the answer to that eternal question...."What should we watch tonight?" See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Producer Mikael Cross (Alex, Vitt Skräp, Bröderna Salazar....) joins Brian to discuss his career and what's required to take a TV show or film from idea to reality. He also shares a scary story of life imitating art in the most serious manner. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A quick hello to let you know that we are back.The Stream Close Up podcast brings you the storytellers behind the stories. Discussions with writers, directors, actors, producers and others responsible for creating and delivering the shows you are streaming. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mikael Hylin is in for his Stream Close Up on this week’s episode. Mikael is a storyteller who has spent the last decade conducting a deep dive into the murder of Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme. His latest project is a seven part series Palme: Träsket och Mordrättegångarna that examines all available evidence and includes exclusive interviews with key players in the investigation. It is a follow up to his 2006 documentary, I Saw the Murder of Olof Palme Before he became a renowned documentary film maker, Mikael had a hand in forming reality TV as we know it today, and also found the time to create a beloved Swedish children’s film and TV franchise. He has been writing, directing and producing feature film and television for the past 30 years. Mikael joins Brian to walk through his journey from member of a comedy theatre troop to master documentarian and explore some interesting stops along the way. Follow us on Twitter: @StreamCloseUp

Actor Jens Hultén joins us as our guest on the latest episode of the Stream Close Up Podcast. Jens is well known for various roles in iconic Swedish detective classics including Johan Falk, Wallander, Beck and Hassel among others He has appeared in films as diverse as The 100 Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out The Window and Disappeared and Lilla Jönssonligan. And speaking of film, Jens may well be the only actor to have performed in both the James Bond and Mission Impossible franchises with his roles in Rogue Nation and Skyfall. He joins us today to talk about all of this, and the debut of his latest project A Conspiracy of Silence. Follow us on Twitter: @StreamCloseUp

We are back with a new season of The Stream Close Up podcast. This week Brian meets producer Susann Billberg-Rydholm. If you don’t know her name, you almost certainly know her work. Among other feature films, Susann was responsible for producing the original Swedish version of Stig Larsson’s Millennium trilogy. Her most recent project is the runaway hit costume drama Vår Tid Är Nu / The Restaurant. Susann generously shares the story of her journey from New Zealand based Jillaroo to award winning creator of film and television.

Irish actress Catherine Walker, currently starring in Rig 45, joins Brian to discuss the project and walk through her experiences in theatre, film and TV. Catherine’s story runs from the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin to the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-upon-Avon to a screen near you. No spoilers for Rig 45 fans! Host: Brian Laffan Producer: Jose Fernandez Alameda Twitter: @streamcloseup

Gary Lewis has worked with film directors Martin Scorsese, Ken Loach, Nicolas Winding Refn & Jon S. Baird among others. You may recognize him from his extensive TV career which includes key roles on Outlander, Retribution and The Level. He has starred opposite Daniel Day-Lewis in Gangs of New York and burst on to the worldwide scene when he was cast as the dad in the massive hit Billy Elliot. Gary joins Brian to discuss all of this, plus his latest project the Scandinavian noir thriller Rig 45. Host: Brian Laffan Producer: Jose Fernandez Alameda @streamcloseup on Twitter

On the latest episode of Stream Close Up actress Liv Mjönes joins Brian to share some breaking news regarding her new project Stockholm Requiem based on Kristina Ohlsson’s books where she will take on the leading role of Fredrika Bergman. As usual, they also go on deep dive discussing Liv’s origin story. Liv is the third guest from the hit series Advokaten to visit the podcast. They talk about that show plus her experience on Torpederna, a show that was brought back from the dead by popular demand, and Hotel Seger a show that put the final nail in the coffin for soap operas in Sweden. We also explore her work on films like Miffo & All Inclusive and her experience working in both the film and stage versions of The Serious Game among other topics.

More for Advokaten fans. In for her Stream Close Up, Malin Buska. Malin is currently co-starring in Advokaten opposite recent podcast guest Alexander Karim. Malin burst on the scene via her role as Katrine in Björn Runge’s Happy End. Among other TV and film projects, she played the lead in the feature film the Girl King, a retake of the 1930’s classic that originally starred Greta Garbo. Listen in as Brian tries to learn a little more about Malin’s journey and her fascination with filmmaking. Host: Brian Laffan Producer: Jose Fernandez Alameda @streamcloseup on Twitter

In for his Stream Close Up Alexander Karim. Alex is currently the co-staring in the Swedish-Danish drama Advokaten and has a background working with film and TV around the world. He tells Brian how he went from growing up in Helsingborg to Hollywood and back. He talks about his unusual "method" and the difference between working on American vs Scandinavian productions. Host: Brian Laffan Producer: Jose Fernandez Alameda @streamcloseup on Twitter

Peter Stormare is our guest this time. Peter joins Brian to discuss among other topics, working with the Cohen Brothers, his decision to leave the Royal Dramatic Theater, life as struggling actor in NYC and of course Season 2 of Swedish Dicks.

In this episode Brian goes deep with writer, creator, director Erik Skjoldbjaerg the man responsible for the hit series Occupied as well as films like Insomnia and Prozac Nation. Among other topics, they discuss Erik's process and how working in Scandinavia differs from his experience in Hollywood. Host: Brian Laffan Producer: Jose Fernandez Alameda @streamcloseup on Twitter

In this episode Brian meets beloved children’s TV-host, Benjamin “Beppe” Singer. Beppe is fresh off of his win at the Kristallen Awards (Emmy/BAFTA) where his program The Great Experiment was named Best Children’s Program of 2017. It marks the first time ever that a streaming program, that is a show from a non-traditional broadcaster, has won the distinguished award. Beppe will tell us how he went from high school drop-out to the teacher of a nation and the unique responsibilities that go with that role.

In this episode Brian meets actor, producer and elite athlete Dragomir “ Gago” Mrsic. Gago, is famous for his roles in films such as Snabba Cash (Easy Money) and Edge of Tomorrow among others, and infamous for his participation in the biggest bank heist in Swedish history. Gago joins us to talk about his career and his latest project the police drama Alex. Host: Brian Laffan Producer: Jose Fernandez @streamcloseup on twitter

Our guest musician and director Amir Chamdin. Amir will discuss his experience as the front man for the iconic hip hop group Infinite Mass and how it lead him to a career as a director working with music videos, commercials, feature films and most recently the TV series Hassel.