FOCUSES ON THE FAMILY Helen Sjöholm is expecting twins together with
husband David Granditsky. “It´s really crazy, a bonus. Family life takes total focus
right now,” she says.
Aftonbladet 111229
By: CHRISTOFFER NILSSON
Photo: STEFAN JERREVÅNG
Helen Sjöholm is praised for “Simon and the Oaks” – but she doesn`t feel at home in the movie world. She made success in “As it is in Heaven.” Now she’s praised for her performance in “Simon and the Oaks.” But Helen Sjöholm doesn´t take any movie roles for granted. – I’ve never felt that I’ve belonged in the movie industry, the singer, who is expecting twins shortly, says.
Since “Kristina from Duvemåla” premiered in 1995, Helen Sjöholm, 41, has been one of Sweden’s most beloved musical artists. Now she is hailed by critics for her role in “Simon and the Oaks,” currently at cinemas, based on Marianne Fredriksson’s novel. In the movie she plays Simon’s mother Karin, who loves her son boundlessly and does anything to protect him.
The book is incredibly loved. Was it scary to manage such a legacy?
– God yes, it was damned scary. But that feeling quickly passes. Suddenly something appears that is our version of the model.
What do you think about the book?
– I really like the book a lot. It´s absolutely fantastic.
She often plays plagued
It´s seven years since you played in “As it is in Heaven.” Have you turned down many movie roles?
– I haven´t received that many offers. I’ve never felt that I’ve belonged in the movie industry. This was very surprising for me because the role and the movie have no musical basis, which “As it is in Heaven” had.
Surprising in what way?
– There was a reason for me somehow to be in “As it is in Heaven”, to sing that song and to be that girl. Here there was no reason. Here there was a brave director who dared to try.
How did you do to convey the pain that Karin carries?
– I don´t know. Empathy and acting. It´s a sad story on many levels, driven by Simon’s search for himself. In Karin’s case it´s a lot of fear. I think she has seen herself as the good woman, who has protected Simon at all times.
In “As it is in Heaven”, you also play a tortured woman.
– I don´t know why I’ve got those roles. I have a happy background and can’t say that I’ve experienced things to have me to play tragic roles.
From where do you get the pain, if not from yourself?
– But you can get it anyway. You have experiences and people close to you, and in the small life you can experience insecurity, grief in different ways and identify with it. So the experience is there, but I’ve never felt unsafe, never been beaten.
“I was loud”
You are beloved by the people. Loved. How do you handle that?
– I haven´t experienced it like that at all. There isn´t very much written about me and I still feel anonymous. I think I’m fairly pale as a person compared to what I can perform on stage.
In the movie Simon says you’re not allowed to sing. Does your son Ruben allow you to sing at home?
– No, he is the one who sings all the time. He sings, I may not do it.
Like in the movie.
– No, it’s more that he is very noisy. Now I understand what it´s like to live with loud people. I was the same.
When did you learn that you were expecting twins?
– It was quite early. It´s really crazy, a bonus. Family life takes total focus right now. Although I’ve had a lot of work since I got Ruben it will be totally different thing this time.
HELEN SJÖHOLM
Name: Marie Helen Sjöholm Granditsky.
Age: 41 years.
Profession: Singer, musical artist and actor.
Family: Husband David Granditsky, 45, son Ruben, 4, and twins on the way.
Lives in: Stockholm.
Previous films: “Where the Rainbow Ends” (1999) and “As it is in Heaven” (2004).
Musicals in selection: “Kristina from Duvemala”, “Chess,” “My Fair Lady” and “Aniara”.
Current: As one of the main protagonists in the movie “Simon and the Oaks.”