So, why wasThe Ugly Stepsisterso crucial for Blichfeldt to bring to screen?
it’s possible for you to watch their full conversation in the video above or read the transcript below.
Emilie, would you mind doing the honors and giving a brief synopsis?
Image via Shudder
EMILIE BLICHFELDT:The Ugly Stepsisteris about Elvira.
It’s a fairy tale.
It’s a twist onCinderellayou all got that by nowwith the ugly stepsister in the main part.
Image by Photagonist
Her name is Elvira, and she dreams of marrying the poet prince.
He’s kind of like the Justin Bieber of our universe, and she’s a Belieber.
I know you were really eager to explore and dismantle that idea that beauty is pain.
Image by Photagonist
She’s the perfect epitome.
BLICHFELDT: That’s a very good question.
I have stories that I want to tell, and that’s why in movies.
Image via Shudder
That’s such a big deal for me.
That’s what I want to do.
When I found this idea, I was in film school.
Image by Photagonist
One of my biggest supporters is my script consultant, Pierre Hodgson.
He’s been there all the way.
So, there have been people believing in me and helping me.
Image by Photagonist
She believed in it from the start.
After that, the moon, stars, planets have just aligned.
Financing was a dream.
All the people we asked who were dream partners for head of departments and for acting just showed up.
It’s just been a dream come true.
LEA MYREN: The playfulness.
Image by Photagonist
She’s a player.
She has this big imagination, and she’s not afraid.
That’s her biggest quality, I thinkshe’s not afraid to go there.
The Ugly Stepsister offers a comedic horror twist on the classic fairy tale, centering on Cinderella’s stepsister, Elvira. Set in a kingdom obsessed with beauty, Elvira competes with her glamorous sibling, resorting to drastic measures to win the prince’s affection.
She’s just so courageous.
BLICHFELDT: Thank you.
It’s very visual.
That’s the dream.
She can put the best people together and make them do their best work.
BLICHFELDT: You’re making me blush, guys!
ANE DAHL TORP: I totally agree with what you’ve said, especially the playfulness.
She’s also very clear when we don’t have time to go crazy playing more.
She draws a line and says, Oh, no.
Not now, which is also great and necessary.
[Laughs]
BLICHFELDT: Thank you so much.
MYREN: All the body horror is crazy to get to play.
I think that, mixed with getting the emotional part right, was the most challenging for me.
On top of that, being Elvira, experiencing these ups and downs was the most challenging for me.
TORP: Maybe there’s a moment I wish I had beenmorefearful because I almost regret it now.
[Laughs] It’s my last shot.
I had so much fun doing it.
My kids are going to see this!
So now I’m really fearful, but not in the making, thanks to Emilie.
Then Thea wanted to come in and say, No, no, no, you’re not perfect.
Don’t let those stupid thoughts put you down.
And that’s so hard.
So, for me, it was not the physical body; it was the mental work.
‘The Ugly Stepsister’ Questions “What Is Beauty?”
I love all of me, so you’re welcome.
It shouldn’t be that way, and ultimately you came to the conclusion, Fuck it.
That is me, and that makes it right?
I was very, very afraid of presenting more masculine than feminine.
So, when I was 21, I stopped shaving, and I haven’t shaved since.
And I’m so happy I did that, and I have so much more self-love to this day.
MYREN: I just see myself so much in what Amelia says.
I also was called hairy as a kid, and I also stopped shaving because it hurt me.
So, it’s very hard.What is reality?
What am I comparing myself to, and why?It does not matter.
I’m still working on it, but this movie and this experience definitely helped.
[Laughs] I mean, just accept it.
BLICHFELDT: But I also hope this movie will inspire people to reflect upon, What is beauty?
What do you think is ugly?
Where does beauty come from?
And that’s quite sexyI’ve heard from him, at least.
It breaks my heart that I have to let you all go soon.
TORP: Maybe it was watching a scene that’s deleted now.
BLICHFELDT: It’s out there somewhere.
TORP: Okay, keep your eyes open for Elvira playing the piano.
BLICHFELDT: It’s a legendary scene.
It didn’t make the cut, but its a very good scene.
One day, we’ll get deleted scenes.
MYREN: I don’t know.
It really is something special.
MYREN: Thank you.
Thank you so much.
We’re doing it.
Who knows what’s going to happen, but we’re here!
It’s when Rebekka, Ane’s character, comes home with a surprise after the ball.
And they just brought it.
Then I was able to just go in, and I think that scene is just so funny.
And writing it, I was like, How will this ever translate into cinema?
