Daniel Stisen plays Walker in the action film “The Siege”. The indie film is inspired by 80s slasher films, action and nostalgia. The genre is a mix of action and comedy. In the film, an international hitman must survive the night in a rehabilitation center when an attack group storms the building. The bodybuilder and actor from Mandal has starred in various international films for a number of years. From the recording of “The Siege”. Photo: Privat The road there has been long and demanding. – Two childhood dreams that are connected Already at a young age, Stisen dreamed of becoming an actor and bodybuilder. In the teenage years, it was training that took the most focus. – It took all my time. It was when I got older that my childhood dream returned. From the P3 documentary – Last Action Hero in 2018. Photo: Lars H. Andersen After a long career in bodybuilding, he made the choice to enter the film industry ten years ago. It happened after an injury during a deadlift that tore a muscle. – I have given it one hundred percent ever since. Now he combines both, and has become a major action hero within the world of B-movies. In addition, he has appeared in minor roles in several international films. Among others “Paddington 2”, “Jurassic World” and “Zack Snyder’s Justice League”. – So it is clearly two childhood dreams that are connected. Two years ago, he starred in “Last Man Down”, an action film that topped Netflix in seven countries. It was this film that led him to the role of Walker in “The Siege”. Cold filming The filming of the film took place in the north of England. It presented challenges for Daniel Stisen. – I made an agreement with the costume department that I should wear a singlet. I didn’t think about us filming at night through November and December. The fact that large parts of the action took place outside presented challenges. Still from “The Siege”. Photo: Highfield Grange Studios But the experience was entirely positive. – On a film set you have so much talent around you who create something together. It is an amazing experience. The experience of shooting, jumping off things and fighting brought back memories from my childhood. – So a bit the same as I did when I was little, only in a more professional setting. – Action star and independent films Henry David Mendoza is Stisen’s European manager. – I am very proud to be able to say that Daniel has become a phenomenon within the genre. Henry David Mendoza has worked closely with Daniel Stisen for several years. Photo: Privat He calls the genre a masculine, adrenaline-pumping macho genre. – And strictly speaking, we were completely ecstatic when cinema chains in the US wanted to screen the film. “The Siege” has already earned around NOK 40 million. – It shows that it is possible to stand completely on the side of Norwegian film, and aim internationally. – On the right track Eirik Bull is an editor at Filmmagasinet. He points to a broader cinema market in the United States that provides far more independent films in cinemas. – There is very little risk in staging an indie film at the cinema. The costs are often much lower. Actors are often discovered abroad in this way. Bull believes the film industry in the USA often looks for a type of Norwegian. Photo: Carl August Klevjer / news – I think Daniel Stisen is well on his way there. When Norwegians make a breakthrough abroad, it is often a specific type. – It is often these big, bearded and rough types. That is perhaps Kristoffer Hivju’s merit. Bull is positive that the action genre within indie is also flourishing. – Maybe it is something that will be brought back to life. Maybe these guys are helping to bring this genre back to life. And what does Daniel Stisen himself think about the attention surrounding the film? – It’s obviously very cool, but that’s not what takes my focus. I do what I think is fun and the projects that have potential. But he adds that it is confirmation that something has been done right. – And I have received a lot of positive feedback from fans on social media.
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Norwegian Daniel with leading role in action film – news Culture and entertainment
