Cultural heritage and artistic freedom are crucial for building resilient, democratic, and inclusive societies. In times of crisis and conflict, culture is often at the forefront – precisely because it strengthens identity, cohesion, and hope. That’s why culture must form part of societal preparedness.
These messages were highlighted during a panel debate co-hosted by the Nordic Council of Ministers at MONDIACULT 2025, the world’s largest cultural policy conference, held in Barcelona from September 29 to October 1.
A weddig picture photographed by Oddleiv Apneseth.
“Culture is resilience. In times of crisis, it must be at the core of our response. That’s why Nordic and international co-operation is essential to protect freedom, identity, and the voices at risk when it matters the most,” said Norway’s Minister of Culture and Equality, Lubna Jaffery, in her opening statement.
Finland’s Minister of Science and Culture Mari-Leena Talvitie, State Secretary to Sweden’s Minister for Culture Karin Svanborg-Sjövall, and Minister of Social Affairs and Culture of the Faroe Islands, Eirikur í Jákupsstovu, also took part in the event.
Photo: Kaisla Härkönen.Nordic and international co-operation is keyThe Nordic Council of Ministers is working to strengthen the role of culture in crisis preparedness by enhancing the exchange of experiences within the cultural sector, both within the Nordic Region and internationally. The aim is to ensure that culture remains a cornerstone of resilience, democracy, and social cohesion. Discussions on stronger co-operation in the field of culture and preparedness were also a key theme when the ministers for culture met earlier this spring and decided to prepare a joint Nordic initiative to reinforce cross-sector dialogue on the role of culture in societal security.
“Culture is a resource in times of peace – and a lifeline in times of crisis. To protect culture in crisis is to protect humanity itself and society’s resilience,” said Eirikur í Jákupsstovu, Minister of Social Affairs and Culture of the Faroe Islands.Nordic cultural heritage.
At the MONDIACULT event, it was emphasized that the Nordic countries share a strong community of values rooted in democracy, freedom of expression, and mutual trust. These are vital components in ensuring resilient societies that safeguard human and cultural rights. In a global context, the Nordic countries can lead the way in protecting cultural rights.
Finland’s and Åland’s Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers has emphasized how a strong cultural life, media literacy, and cultural diversity contribute to a resilient society by fostering cohesion, critical thinking, and democratic participation. It is essential that these topics are discussed in a global forum such as UNESCO’s MONDIACULT conference,” said Mari-Leena Talvitie, Finland’s Minister of Science and Culture.Nordic and Baltic flags.
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Related: New Initiative to Boost Freedom of Movement in Nordic Region
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Two panel discussions at MONDIACULT explored both how culture contributes to social development and reconstruction, as well as how freedom of expression and artistic freedom enhance the regions’ capacity to cope with threats and crises. Panel participants included Abdullah Alkafri (Ettijahat-Independent Culture), Kristin Danielsen (Nordic Culture Fund), Deeyah Khan (UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador), and Denis Krivosheev (Amnesty International). The moderator was UNESCO Youth Delegate Iina-Lotta Kuisma.
Culture is Resilience – Nordics Step Up Preparedness Through Co-Operation, a press release from the Nordic Council.
“For fans of the Rolling Stones, Villa Nellcote is as sacred as Abbey Road,” says the author, who also provides insight into the history of the magnificent villa.
A mysterious villa on the French Riviera. The Rolling Stones rented it. The wealthy and eccentric owned it. And the Nazis occupied it. And a Norwegian author wrote a book about it. But are all the rumors really true?
Author and commercial film director Geir Hørnes wrote a book about the magnificent villa Nellcote from the Rolling Stones’ time on the Riviera. The book, titled “The Curious Chronicles of Villa Nellcote,” was published in English in 2021, 50 years after the album “Exile on Main St.” was recorded in the villa’s basement.
Author and commercial film director Geir Hørnes wrote a book about the magnificent villa Nellcote from the Rolling Stones’ time on the Riviera.
The original bookis an exclusive 400-page account of the legendary Riviera mansion. The new French issue is a 460-page edition dedicated to the extraordinary life of Villa Nellcote. The demand for the magnificent book was such that a new edition was published the following year, and according to Hørnes, it has now reached readers in over 40 countries. He calls it “unreal” that the book is now also being published in French.
Painting of Villa Nellcote.
Produced in collaboration with the families who owned Nellcote, the book includes firsthand accounts and exclusive, new contributions from the Rolling Stones’ entourage, adding further insight into the bohemian recording of Exile on Main St. at Villa Nellcote in 1971.
The new French edition, revised, expanded, and enriched with more than 60 new pages, also explores the post-Stones era: the trial that followed their departure, the years of silence, and then the rebirth of Nellcote in the 1980s and 1990s, when the former hideout of rock stars became a haven for the Italian jet set and the Monegasque princely family.
The original book is an exclusive 400-page account of the legendary Riviera mansion.
“It all started as a personal hunt for stories that were at risk of being lost. I think we live in a time where people are hungry for knowledge and depth, as well as a slightly nerdy approach. I think many people dream of being nerdy themselves. I hope I can inspire others to do something similar,” Hørnes told NTB.
Lavishly illustrated with architect drawings, personal journals, and more than 250 photos from private archives, The Curious Chronicles of Villa Nellcote is unparalleled in scope and the most authoritative document on the history of Nellcote.
The book has now reached readers in over 40 countries.
Hørnes has received the following greeting from Keith Richards after being in contact with, among others, his son: “Thank you for your efforts for bringing this history to life.”
“Mme Keller did not realize to whom she was renting the villa. She thought a successful young pianist would be living there and had no idea who the Rolling Stones were. When she finally mentioned the name of Keith Richards, I nearly fainted.” Barbara Lee.
What happened in 1971 is duly documented, among other things, by the photographs of Dominique Tarlé, which can be seen in Hørnes’ book. The author has also spoken to even more people in the Stones camp for the French edition, as well as the judge who issued the arrest warrant against Keith Richards.
The new French edition, revised, expanded, and enriched with more than 60 new pages, also explores the post-Stones era.
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Related: The Rolling Stones Resumed Their World Tour In Oslo
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Villa Nellcote is situated on the French Riviera, where the facades of sand-colored houses and swaying palms reflect off the Mediterranean Sea’s surface.
Built by the French wine producer Eugène Thomas-Piétri in 1899 and owned by the Bordes family for generations, Villa Nellcote boasts a history shrouded in mystery and speculation.
All its residents were exceptional people: One drove the fundraising campaign for the Statue of Liberty. Another survived the Titanic disaster. A third worked, in secret, both for the Nazis and the Allies during World War II.
Where the original book left off in 1974, the final part of the new issue takes readers into the aftermath of the Stones’ adventure, Villa Nellcote’s journey through the 1980s and 1990s, and the jet-set lives of the new residents.
In 1971, guitarist Keith Richards arrived at Nellcote. Worshipped by fans, hounded by the police, and hated by the establishment, the Rolling Stones had been banished from Britain. Now they wanted to make music – in the land of the old enemy, France! The mythical recording sessions for Exile on Main St. turned Nellcote into a musical place of pilgrimage on a par with Graceland and Abbey Road. Daily, visitors arrive, take photos, and post them online as a ‘bucket list’ experience. And it doesn’t stop there: A Napa Valley wine brand ‘draws its inspiration’ from Villa Nellcote. A Chicago restaurant is decorated to resemble its interior. A hip Swedish perfume is curated to smell like its garden. Why is Villa Nellcote so alluring? And why has its full, fascinating story not been told – until now?
In this book, you can join author Geir Hørnes as he travels the globe and uncovers Villa Nellcote´s fascinating past on three different continents. Until recently, the villa was owned by a Russian oligarch who – like the family who rented the villa to Keith Richards in the 1970s – was not keen on the luxury property’s rock-iconic status. As a result, today you can only catch a glimpse of it from the sea outside Villefranche-sur-Mer.
Hørnes has received the following greeting from Keith Richards after being in contact with, among others, his son: “Thank you for your efforts for bringing this history to life.”The Curious Chronicles of Villa Nellcote includes:
A vast selection of rare and unpublished photos, maps, drawings, and ephemera.
• Architect drawings of Nellcote – including the basement where The Rolling Stones recorded.
• The original Nellcote guestbook from World War I, reproduced for the first time.
• The never-before-seen journal from the Titanic, written by one of Nellcote´s owners.
• Exceptional images of the German soldiers in Villefranche-sur-Mer during World War II.
• Private snapshots and colour slides of Nellcote in the post-war years.
• Georgia Bergman´s personal journal from 1971, offering a rare glimpse into the absolute chronology of the events at Villa Nellcote during the Stones’ stay.
• Mick McKenna´s custom-made technical drawings of The Rolling Stones Mobile in 1971.
• Images of the 1971 Nellcote phonebook, displaying the names and numbers of the power players and celebrities visiting the villa.
• The Nellcote Chronicles offers new interviews and exclusive contributions from the 1971 Stones entourage: Marlon Richards, photographer Dominique Tarlé, author Robert Greenfield, Stones office administrator Georgia Bergman, record producer Robin Millar, artist Stanislas Klossowski de Rola, Nellcote chef Gérard Mosiniak, Rolling Stones Records´ European Label Manager Trevor Churchill, International Label Manager at WEA France Dominic Lamblin, Stage and Lighting Technician Bruce Byall, as well as the siblings Jake and Charley Weber.
• Contributing museums and art collections: Sotheby´s New York, Arts et Métiers Paris, New York Public Library, New Orleans Historical Collections, Staatsarchive Zurich, Swiss Federal Archives Bern, National Bibliothèque France, Military Archive Freiburg, Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum Jerusalem.
Award-winning Norwegian TV and film director Geir Hørnes has written the Curious Chronicles of Villa Nellcote.
You can buy the French issue here.
Drama in Greece is a year-round paradise for paragliders. For many, the word “drama” is synonymous with conflict or TV series, but in Greece, it is also the name of a city full of surprises. Drama is a medium-sized town in Northern Greece, surrounded by hills and farmland with the Falakro mountain range as a backdrop.
Beyond these mountains lies the Fraktos forest, one of the most untouched natural areas in Europe. The forest is part of UNESCO’s World Heritage and is home to a rich variety of wildlife and plants, marking the border with Bulgaria before the next mountain range is reached.
I discovered Drama through paragliding., says Raymond Sebergsen. Photo: Tor Kjolberg/Daily Scandinaian.
A Norwegian story in the sky
I discovered Drama through paragliding. What’s excellent about flying here is that the conditions suit pilots of all levels, and it’s rare to find a more welcoming community. The first time Norwegians became aware of the place was in 2010, when the city hosted the Paragliding World Cup. The following year, Kjell Harald Nessengmo and Rita Iversen traveled down, and the idea of flydrama.com was born.
In 2012, I joined the very first organized trip – there were about 16 of us, and we were immediately sold. The combination of stable flying weather, local hospitality, delicious food, and a charming town life is rare. Many of us have returned several times since.
There’s a road leading up to every launch site, and thanks to the flat valley, it’s easy to find a safe landing spot almost anywhere. The main landing areas are large and straightforward. Amazingly, there are still places you’d rather not land. I have plenty of stories from more or less lucky landings, but one experience sums up the place and the people perfectly: A pilot once landed inside a fenced solar park and thought he was in trouble. Instead of scolding, the man working there insisted on serving him both coffee and cake. The result? The pilot missed out on more flying that day because he spent so much time at the impromptu feast before finally calling the FlyDrama pickup service.
In 2012, I joined the very first organized trip. Photo: Raymond Sebergsen.Tandem flights and courses
Want to take someone with you in the air – or try paragliding yourself? Several operators offer tandem flights and beginner courses in the area.
Drama’s hills provide good take-off and landing options, especially well-suited for beginner training. Autumn, winter, and spring often bring calm conditions, while summer is usually too strong for this type of flying.
Since 2012, FlyDrama has facilitated trips for Norwegian clubs and schools arranging their courses here. While FlyDrama does not organize the classes themselves, they handle all the logistics – from transport and accommodation to local contacts and daily briefings.
Many participants describe the experience as unique: skilled instructors, comfortable accommodation, fantastic food – and, most importantly, many flyable days. On a typical two-week course in January, you could log more high-altitude flights than many manage in several months back in Norway. That means you don’t just complete PP2, but often already make good progress toward the next level. When the weather doesn’t cooperate, the time is used for theory, exams, and excursions – including visits to local wineries.
The Fraktos forest, one of the most untouched natural areas in Europe. The forest is part of UNESCO’s World Heritage and is home to a rich variety of wildlife and plants. Photo: Tor Kjolberg/Daily Scandinavian.
More than paragliding
Eventually, I realized that paragliding was just my gateway to Drama. The sport brought me here, but the region offers so much more: hospitality, nature, history, food, and experiences that keep me coming back – whether to fly or to enjoy life on the ground.
When Lonely Planet published an article by Australian journalist Karyn Noble in 2015, she called Drama an “unspoiled” destination, untouched by mass tourism yet full of experiences. She highlighted the nature, wineries, caves, and vibrant city life – summing it up by saying Drama is worth discovering now, before the rest of the world does.
A small selection of highlights:
Wineries and festivals – Drama’s microclimate produces high-quality wine. Lazaridi and Wine Art Estate are worth the trip alone, and the Dramoinognosia festival celebrates Dionysus with wine, food, music, and dance.
Aggitis Cave – an underground river with spectacular stalactites and a constant temperature of 17°C, perfect on hot summer days.
Ancient Philippi – just 20 km away, this UNESCO World Heritage site was founded by Philip II of Macedon and features an impressive amphitheater still in use today.
The Rhodope Mountains – a national park rich in wildlife, waterfalls, hiking trails, and skiing opportunities on Falakro. It also hosts the Virgin Forest Trail, an internationally renowned ultramarathon.
Noble summed it up like this: “If you’re looking for a place untouched by mass tourism but full of experiences, Drama is worth discovering now – before the rest of the world does.»Kavala – one of our favorite spots for a swim in the sea. Photo: Raymond Sebergsen.A place you’ll return to
Drama is known for its stable and predictable flying conditions. The local club has hosted several major competitions, and since 2012, FlyDrama has made it easy for pilots to experience the area.
One of my fondest memories was when we rented sailboats to the island of Thassos. We swam ashore at a beach, soaked up the sun, and later continued to the town center for dinner before sailing back to Kavala – one of our favorite spots for a swim in the sea.
When the weather hasn’t allowed flying, we’ve visited wineries, raced go-karts, explored caves, and come up with spontaneous activities. Drama and its surroundings are full of little discoveries – whether you’re after adrenaline or want to enjoy life.
Drama is full of coffee bars, and coffee is taken seriously here. Photo: Raymond Sebergsen.Coffee, food, and hospitality
The city is lively but calm, with a charm that makes you feel at home quickly. It’s full of coffee bars, and coffee is taken seriously here. Locals are quick to sit down for a chat, and it’s easy to make new friends.
The food is a story in itself – from traditional Greek dishes to fresh seafood on the coast, and not least the local mountain-raised meat. Karyn Noble wrote that in Drama you should “pack an extra stomach” – and she wasn’t exaggerating. The region boasts a vibrant food culture, offering a diverse range of ingredients, including game meat, local vegetables, fresh berries, mushrooms, and herbs sourced from the surrounding mountains. The potatoes from Nevrokopi even have their own protected geographical status. Combine this with taverna classics like pastourmas (spiced, dried beef), local pasta varieties, and slow-cooked goat, and it’s easy to see why your stomach gets a workout.
Drama is one of those places that gives you everything. Photo: Raymond Sebergsen.
Why visit Drama?
Because it’s one of those places that gives you everything – whether you come to fly or to experience Greece at its most authentic, here you get the combination of spectacular nature, an active local community, endless experiences, and a warm welcome – every single time.
And these are just a few examples of what you can enjoy:
Beach life: Just 40 minutes away are the long sandy beaches of Kavala, perfect for a swim after a day in the mountains or vineyards.
Kayaking and rafting: In Paranesti, just over half an hour from Drama, you can paddle the Nestos River, try rafting, or challenge yourself in the climbing park.
Mountain adventures: The Rhodope Mountains offer hiking trails, waterfalls, cycling, and the chance to spot eagles, deer – and, with some luck, brown bears.
Culture and history: With Philippi nearby and the city’s own museums and archaeological treasures, there’s always something new to learn.
Food and wine: From the wineries of Adriani and Mikrochori to small mountain tavernas – everything is close enough to combine in a weekend trip.
In short: you can wake up to mountains and paragliding, have lunch at a winery, take an afternoon swim in the Aegean Sea, and end the day at a coffee bar in town – without it ever feeling rushed.
The food is a story in itself – from traditional Greek dishes to fresh seafood on the coast, and not least the local mountain-raised meat. Photo: Tor Kjolberg/Daily Scandinavian.
Norway’s post office celebrates the 200th anniversary of emigration from Norway to North America. Two unique Norwegian commemorative stamps were unveiled during the opening of a new exhibition at the Norwegian Emigrant Museum (Utvandrermuseet) in Ottestad, in collaboration with Posten Norge.
The Norwegian Post (Posten) issued a set of two stamps in June to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the first organized Norwegian emigration to North America. The stamps, designed by Martin Mörck, feature the emigrant ship “Restauration” and the migrants’ arrival in New York with the Statue of Liberty in the background.
Prolific stamp engraver Martin Morck served as designer and engraver for the stamp and souvenir sheet.
Read more about the official launch in Norway at the Norwegian Emigrant Museum. (News coverage in Stangeavisa.)
Prolific stamp engraver Martin Morck served as designer and engraver for the stamp and souvenir sheet.
In the 19th century, Norway saw one of the highest rates of emigration in Europe. For more than a hundred years, tens of thousands of Norwegians packed up their lives and sailed across the Atlantic in search of opportunity.
According to Posten, more than 750,000 Norwegians emigrated to the United States between 1836 and 1915. Illustration: The U.S. Embassy to Norway.
Many Norwegians emigrated due to hardships such as poverty, oppression, class divisions, and overpopulation in Norway, along with the inspiration of adventure and the promise of cheap farmland in America.
The first recorded journey of organized emigration from Norway to North America began when 52 emigrants boarded the Restauration and set sail from Stavanger, Norway, on July 4, 1825, to arrive in New York City on October 9.
According to Posten, more than 750,000 Norwegians emigrated to the United States between 1836 and 1915, with those in the Country settling primarily in the Midwest states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Iowa.
Two Unique Norwegian Commemorative Stamps Unveiled, Tor Kjolberg reporting.
The Accommodation in Sweden – 2025 Update features a diverse range of accommodation options for individuals who have applied for or received a residence permit under the Temporary Protection Directive, as well as for holidaymakers.
While hotels maintain a strong presence year-round, other accommodation types show distinct seasonal patterns. Camping sites, for instance, experience a significant surge during the summer months, with the southernmost province of Scania boasting the highest number of campgrounds, at 74, as of October 2024.
Expats can find accommodation in Sweden through various channels, including online rental platforms such as Blocket.se, Samtrygg. se, and BostadDirekt.com, which often feature short-term rentals, and by applying for long-term first-hand leases through municipal housing companies. Subletting is a standard option, though competitive, and securing a first-hand lease often requires a Swedish personal ID number, proof of income, and an employment contract.
Student housing in Huddinge, Stockholm. Photo: Heimstaden.
Once you have applied for protection under the Temporary Protection Directive, you can choose to arrange accommodation on your own or be offered a place at one of the Swedish Migration Agency’s accommodations. If you are listed in the Swedish Population Register, you are responsible for arranging your own accommodation.
The quality and affordability of housing in Sweden vary widely. While expats may struggle to find spacious, high-quality accommodation that doesn’t break the bank in notoriously expensive Stockholm, there are many areas in Sweden where it’s much easier to find appropriate housing at a decent price.
If you do not have your own accommodation, the Swedish Migration Agency can offer you a place in a temporary accommodation.Living in Swedish Migration Agency accommodation
If you do not have your own accommodation, the Swedish Migration Agency can offer you a place in a temporary accommodation. You do not get to choose where you will live. You will be assigned accommodation where there are places available. You will then be assigned to an accommodation in a municipality. This may mean that you need to move to another municipality.
First-hand leases (Førstahandsuthyrning) are a long-term optionContact municipal housing companies: Many municipalities have their own housing companies where you can join a waiting list for a first-hand lease, though waiting times can be long.
Requirements: You will likely need a Swedish personal ID number (personnummer), proof of income, and an employment contract.
Types of accommodation
Apartments: Available as short-term sublets or long-term first-hand leases. You can find furnished apartments or studios that are often ready for immediate occupancy.
Rooms: It’s also possible to rent a private room in a shared flat or house, often called lodging.
Student housing: If you are a student, consider student residences or flats, which can be a good way to socialize and find a room in a shared apartment with other students.
Swedish actress Noomi Rapace (born 1979) landed her first small film role as a seven-year-old in the Icelandic Viking drama “The Shadow of the Raven” and decided then and there to pursue a career in acting. The Swedish actress’s career spans a wide range, from portraying an Icelandic Viking to portraying Mother Theresa.
Noomi Rapace achieved international fame with her portrayal of Lisbeth Salander in the Swedish film adaptations of the Millennium series (2009): The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Played with Fire, and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets’ Nest. For her performance in the Millennium series, Rapace won two Nymphe d’Ors, a Guldbagge Award, and a Satellite Award as Best Actress, amongst others, and was nominated for a BAFTA Award, an International Emmy Award, and a European Film Award. Following the success of the Millennium series, Rapace has gone on to star in American movies.
In recent years, Noomi Rapace has been commuting between filming and preparing for roles in the United States, Europe, and Scandinavia. Photo: Noomi Repace Online.
Image: Rapace played goth hacker Lisbeth Salander in the ‘Girl With The Dragon Tattoo’ series. CREDIT: Alamy
Following her breakthrough, she starred in Pernilla August’s “Skyggesiden” (“The Shadow Side”). In 2011, she played Madame Simza Heron in the sequel to “Sherlock Holmes” and starred in the Norwegian thriller “Babycall,” directed by Pål Sletaune.
She left home at the age of 15 and enrolled in a theatre school in Stockholm.
“I never read about myself. I never read reviews or criticisms,” says Rapace. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.
In 2009, at Södra Blasieholmen in Stockholm, Noomi held her first international press conference, where she panicked when reporters asked if they had called her from Hollywood yet. Did she really understand what the role of Lisbeth Salander entailed?
International success
In November 2012, she appeared in a Rolling Stones video for the single “Doom and Gloom”, shot in the studios of the Cité du Cinéma by Luc Besson in Saint-Denis. In 2013, she starred alongside Rachel McAdams in Brian De Palma’s erotic thriller Passion, an English-language remake of the 2010 French psychological thriller Love Crime. They both appeared in Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, but did not share scenes. Rapace also appeared in Niels Arden Oplev’s crime thriller Dead Man Down, alongside Isabelle Huppert and Colin Farrell.
Noomi Rapace has no address. In recent years, she has been commuting between filming and preparing for roles in the United States, Europe, and Scandinavia. Not having a base is not a problem, she says. She has never needed a haven.
In 2014, she appeared as Nadia in Michael Roskam’s thriller The Drop, alongside Tom Hardy, Matthias Schoenaerts, and James Gandolfini. In September 2014, she was the subject of the short film A Portrait of Noomi Rapace, directed by artist and designer Aitor Throup and scored by Flying Lotus. In the same year, Rapace appeared in the video for the single “eez-eh” by Kasabian. In 2015, she starred as Raisa Demidova in Daniel Espinosa’s Child 44, opposite Tom Hardy (her co-star in The Drop), also starring Gary Oldman, Vincent Cassel, Jason Clarke, and Joel Kinnaman.
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Related: Swedish Film in English Version Starring Tom Hanks
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According to Nomi Rapace, there are no limits to how far she can allow herself to disappear into a role. Photo: Wikipedia
“I never read about myself. I never read reviews or criticisms,” says Rapace. “The celebrity machine is built on uninteresting and short-term constructs: The celebrity press constantly needs new people to write about, amazing people, people who make mistakes, who are too fat or too anorexic.”
She starred in the 2016 spy thriller Unlocked, alongside Michael Douglas, John Malkovich, Orlando Bloom, and Toni Collette, as well as in the science fiction horror film Rupture by Steven Shainberg. In 2017, she led the sci-fi/actioner What Happened to Monday opposite Glenn Close and Willem Dafoe. The same year, Rapace played an elf in the urban fantasy action Bright.
Noni Rapace in Lamb. Photo: MUBI
According to Nomi Rapace, there are no limits to how far she can allow herself to disappear into a role. What she strives for is total freedom, and to achieve that, she has to dispel her own vanity. “Going back to your own life after something like that can be pretty brutal,” she says.
In 2019, Rapace starred in the action thriller film Close, released on Netflix on January 18, 2019. That same year, Rapace starred in the psychological thriller Angel of Mine and in the television series Jack Ryan. In 2020, Rapace starred in the thriller The Secrets We Keep. In 2021, the Icelandic folk horror film Lamb premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, where Rapace played the leading role of Maria. Rapace’s performance in the movie garnered significant attention, and she won the award for Best Actress at the 2021 Sitges – Catalonian International Film Festival. She was nominated for the Best Actress award at the 2021 North Texas Film Critics Association Awards.
Noni Rapace in Dragon Tattoo. Photo: Alamy.
This year, Teona Strugar Mitevska takes on Mother Teresa in the Venice premiere “Mother.” She aims to “demystify the perfect saint,” with the help of Noomi Rapace, cast in the title role.
Noomi as Mother Teresa in “Mother”.
The director says that Rapace looked for the vulnerability of the Nobel Peace Prize winner. “Noomi’s strong and audacious, and it’s evident. But nobody is just strong and ferocious, and nobody is just a saint. We had to find her fragility and her imperfections. Her human side, her imperfect side, her childish side, her obsessive side.”
Swedish Actress – From Icelandic Viking to Mother Theresa, Tor Kjolberg reporting.
