It’s an uncommon trajectory for an individual to wrap up filming for a movie and seamlessly transition back to their role as a practicing physician. Even more remarkable is when that film, The Worst Person in the World, garners widespread critical acclaim, and the doctor in question is simultaneously serving as a medical professional at a COVID-19 vaccination center in his nation’s capital. The career path of Anders Danielsen Lie, in fact, appears to be unprecedented.
Anders Danielsen Lie in an article about award season
Lie, known for his understated charm and wry humor, has maintained a consistent acting career spanning fifteen years, all while concurrently completing medical school and establishing his own medical practice. Balancing these demanding professions has been, in his own words, “a constant struggle.” He admits with a self-aware smile, “It doesn’t really work, and I would never advise anyone else to combine the two.” Yet, his active involvement on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, coinciding with the release of two of his most significant films, suggests he has indeed found a unique way to navigate this dual life.
Prior to the wider release of The Worst Person in the World, Anders Danielsen Lie, at 42 years old, prepared for the U.S. theatrical debut of Bergman Island. July saw him at Cannes for the world premieres of both films, after which he returned to his native Norway to dedicate a couple of months to his medical work. Now, slightly jet-lagged, he connects via Zoom from New York, where he is attending the film festival showcasing Bergman Island. Directed by Mia Hansen-Løve, Bergman Island unfolds on Fårö, Ingmar Bergman’s long-time residence and filming location. The movie centers on a filmmaking couple (Vicky Krieps and Tim Roth) on an artistic retreat. As Krieps’s character delves into her new project, a film-within-a-film emerges, featuring Mia Wasikowska as Amy, a woman drawn back to a former lover, Joseph, portrayed by Lie.
The rekindling romance of Amy and Joseph unfolds like a classic independent film, characterized by subtle romanticism and genuine, complex longing. Bergman’s influence subtly permeates the film, both in spirit and direct references, casting a shadow over many characters. “It’s impossible not to feel that you are in the shadow of Bergman’s legacy,” Lie reflects on the film’s creation. This sentiment resonates deeply, particularly coming from an actor who clearly approaches his art with a profound understanding and appreciation for cinema – encompassing Bergman and beyond. He cites French actor Denis Lavant as a major inspiration and references the 1928 silent masterpiece The Passion of Joan of Arc as a guiding influence for his approach to past roles. Observing work he admires, he explains, “reminds me of aspects I need to refine in my own performance.”
This dedication reflects a studious and improvement-focused approach. Lie perceives a connection between this acting philosophy and his medical profession. “As a doctor, I encounter individuals daily in situations charged with intense emotion,” he explains. “It’s an insightful vantage point for studying human drama. My work as an actor feels like a reflection on my personal experiences and my medical practice.” This reciprocal relationship perhaps explains why Anders Danielsen Lie hasn’t been inclined to choose one path over the other.
Joachim Trier, the director of The Worst Person in the World, observes, “It boils down to curiosity and humanism in both domains. He genuinely cares for his patients, and he genuinely cares for his characters.”
Lie’s early acting experience includes a role in the 1990 Norwegian drama Herman. However, it was Trier who provided his breakthrough with the 2006 film Reprise. Lie auditioned while finishing medical school, secured the lead role, and established a close working relationship with Trier. Reprise became the first installment in the “Oslo Trilogy,” a series of films linked by setting and their ongoing collaboration. Trier draws a parallel between their evolving relationship and the Before series by Richard Linklater, Julie Delpy, and Ethan Hawke, noting, “We’ve grown in parallel; I believe we’ve both improved. It’s a gift to share that journey with an actor, to explore different life stages with mutual trust, and to utilize cinema’s potential to be not only fiction but also possess a sense of documentation.”
Trier openly acknowledges contemplating Lie’s “dichotomy”: “I see him as the Norwegian Daniel Day-Lewis. But instead of pursuing shoemaking, he’s more likely to be performing appendectomies.”
The Worst Person in the World concludes their trilogy, though their professional partnership is likely to continue. In this film, Anders Danielsen Lie portrays Aksel, a successful comic book artist who falls in love with Julie (Renate Reinsve), a vibrant woman in her late twenties navigating relationships, careers, and passions. Their romance endures for a time, leading to cohabitation. Aksel, often assertive, becomes more vocal in expressing his opinions, even “mansplaining,” as Lie notes with a smile. As they drift apart, a later plot twist reframes Aksel, highlighting his vulnerability as he confronts his own mortality.
Anders Danielsen Lie in an article about award season
“There’s a sense of old-fashioned masculinity to Aksel,” Lie comments on the character. “He’s mourning the decline of physical media. He feels he belonged to a bygone era and is alienated by the fragmented nature of culture in the digital age.” The film, which premiered to enthusiastic reviews at Cannes and is set for theatrical release, marks a significant achievement for both Trier and his long-term collaborator. Trier recounts Lie’s ambition for Worst Person: “He told me, ‘I want to deliver my best performance yet.’ He has honed his craft, becoming even more courageous in revealing deeper emotions.” Trier shared that he recently spoke with Mia Hansen-Løve, Bergman Island’s director, about Anders Danielsen Lie. “She expressed envy that [Anders and I] started working together early in our careers… and that the passage of time is evident in our collaboration.”
