From Idol participant to Eurovision winner – and now actress. Versatile Loreen steps into a new role (literally) when she appears in the teenage drama “Vinterviken” on Netflix, premieres today.

For QX, Loreen talks about her love for the original movie from the nineties, how she based the role on her own mother – and what it takes for a comeback on the Mello scene…

Hi Loreen! So unpredictable to see you in a role in “Vinterviken”, but fun! How did you end up in the movie?
– They needed a Moroccan mother for the movie, and someone said: “You should ask Loreen”. I thought, “What do you mean? That I look like a Moroccan mother?” I’m an artist! (laughs) That’s how they headhunted me. I got to read the script and see what I was going to do. And so I wanted to look – is there even something I can do?

Have you had any acting dreams at all over the years?
– I love movies in general. It is such a beautiful product. So it is clear that I have had it lurking in the background – “it would have been fun to try…” But it has been a lot with the music.

Did you have any relationship to “Vinterviken” from 1996?
– If! I was completely crazy about it. Above all, I was completely crazy about love stories. Especially when it comes to coming from two different worlds. A lot of prejudices are punched out. “Those two can’t be with each other, those two won’t manage”, but they do it anyway, sometimes. In some magical way. I have always, always, always been a sucker for happy endings and love stories! “Vinterviken” was really one of them. And then David Tainton, oh! I watched it no matter how much.

What did you think then when it became clear that “Vinterviken” will be filmed again?
– I thought it was a good idea. You feel that it is needed. The old “Vinterviken” represents the time then, but it looks different today. With everything that has happened, all these revolutions and movements. The refugee wave that has created segregation. We need to talk more about our common denominators, I think.

– I think it’s needed, this movie about love between two completely different worlds. Also to show that we all have problems. Elisabeth comes from a privileged family that should have everything under control, but that is not really the case. Just like you might think John-John comes from the suburbs and it’s really bad there… But is it? It is good that the different segments get an insight into each other’s lives, instead of being fooled by facades.

Did you think a lot about your own upbringing when you took on the role?
– Absolutely. I got a lot from there. I thought it was so funny, when the role came to me and I read the script. I listened to the director, Alexis (Almström) and how he looked at the relationship between the son and the mother. It struck me that I will play my mother. And John-John plays me. Which was good, in terms of personality, because I know everything about this dynamic. I know all about a young mother trying to make a living. Son’s pride and integrity. I recognize it in John-John, that he tries to protect his mother and be a support and be good. But at the same time, he’s a youngster who wants to have fun, you know. All that I could relate to.

– For me, it is also about representation. That it is important to portray an immigrant woman from a Moroccan culture in the right way. We started discussing, how is a woman coming to a new life? Pride and traditions, how does it permeate her way of being? Such discussions were important. Because it’s about respect.

Did you have a big teenage love that you remember a little extra warmly?
– Oh, I have to think. A teenage love? One, two, three, four… Haha! But yes, I actually had. He was really not interested in me. I got the nob. I have had many loves if you say so, but if you want to know some detail… It stands still.

This is not the first time you’re seen in a Netflix movie. You have a wonderful scene in the “Eurovision Song Contest”, that wonderful medley! How did it happen?
– Haha! Will Ferrell contacted me directly. I said yes without even knowing what to do, because I’m a huge fan. I was starstruck! Of course! Should I stand on my head and jump? Of course!” And he’s so much fun. It was a dream to sit in the same room as him, I have never laughed so much in my whole life. It almost became a bit difficult for him, haha!

Do you have any guilty pleasure on Netflix? What do you prefer to hit on a Friday night?
– I have a guilty pleasure, and it’s a bit embarrassing…! There is a series that I feel good watching. I can not even understand why it is good. “Grace and Frankie” are their names – two aunts who live with each other. Their respective husbands turn out to be gay and find each other. So these women just have each other and move together in a big house. All my friends just say “Really? This is for old people”. But it is so cozy! I like their dynamics.

Can you imagine performing at the Melodifestivalen again?
– Now Christer is no longer with us. But if Christer were to hear from you and just… “Honey, can’t you join again?” Because he always has such good arguments. And I’m so easily influenced, haha! Then I could have actually joined again. If I have something to say, of course. A song that I think can make you forget “Euphoria” completely. It is because I have worked so well with Christer Björkman. He has a very special place in my heart, really.

Do you have any plans for new music? Maybe an album in Swedish?
– Yes, there will be a lot of new music coming out this fall! We hope to release the next single in September or October. It’s in Swedish, and I think you will like it. There will be new music this autumn and spring, and then we’ll see if we put it together into an album or an EP.

You performed at Malmö Pride a few weeks ago. What has the gay audience meant to you in your career?
– Everything! I wouldn’t be sitting here if it weren’t for the gay community. It was the community that gave me a chance. I remember the first gigs I had. It is on these platforms that it is absolutely most fun to play, because there is so much love there! I think it’s because everyone is fighting for our freedom, to exist. It has made us freer. And at gigs, like in Malmö or any Pride, it doesn’t matter where in the world. The audience is in ecstasy! And they have no problem showing love, and living out their feelings, and it’s dancing, and I get such goosebumps! I wouldn’t be sitting here if it weren’t for MY community. That’s really the case.

• Source: https://www.qx.se/noje/filmtvmusik/216341/vinterviken-aktuella-loreen-om-nya-mammarollen-mello-comeback-pride-karleken/
• Translation: via Google Translate, the translation may not be completely accurate