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The Danish-American actor Viggo Mortensen (archive image)
Photo: Jens Kalaene / dpa
In his current film "Falling", Viggo Mortensen deals with the death of his parents.
It is hard to accept the finiteness of life, said the "Lord of the Rings" star now on the occasion of the theatrical release of his directorial debut of the "Augsburger Allgemeine".
"But this fact cannot be shaken."
Mortensen thinks of his parents every day, especially his mother, who died in 2015 and with whom he grew up after the divorce.
It is true that he does not believe in life after death.
"But if you accept the death of others, you also have to come to terms with the fact that you won't be there forever".
Life is full of uncertainty, even if everyone tries to "filter memories and control our presence in the mind so that life feels predictable."
But with that you are fooling yourself.
"And how unpredictable everything is has become clear even to those who aggressively deny it as a result of the pandemic."
Mortensen himself doesn't seem to have had any problems with the temporary isolation in the corona crisis.
“I feel good in my own skin.
To the point that I can manage for days, if not weeks, on my own, ”said the 62-year-old, who was nominated for Oscars with leading roles in films such as“ Captain Fantastic ”or“ Green Book - A Special Friendship ”.
"I don't have to talk to anyone, find ways to be active without getting nervous."
Of course, he also had self-doubts, but he was open about that, said the American with Danish ancestors.
“I don't have a problem when people disagree with me.
Ultimately, all of this can be traced back to realizing how short life is. ”That is exactly why he wants to make the best of it.
ala / dpa