Sisu 2’s Stephen Lang praises Jalmari Helander.
Stephen Lang, an American actor with a long career, plays the villain of the film Sisu 2, which premieres this week.
The 73-year-old actor was present at the film’s invited guests evening at the Helsinki Tennis Palace.
– I am really proud that I was able to act in this film. It was funny in a very brutal way thanks to this man, our director, our screenwriter, the visionary of the Sisu film, Lang praises and points to Jalmari Helander standing next to him.
Stephen Lang with his wife Kristina Watson. The couple has been married since 1980 and has four children. MATTI MATIKAINEN
The first Sisu film, as well as the sequel, were directed and written by Helander.
Lang has had a long career as an actor. One of his most significant roles in recent years is the character of Miles Quaritch in the Avatar films. Two Avatar movies have already come out, with a third coming out in December and a fourth in 2029. Lang will star in all of them.
The Avatar movies are directed by James Cameron, perhaps the most successful director in the world.
– Of course I can’t speak for Cameron, but I know his taste. I think after seeing this movie he will call me and praise it. He knows a great filmmaker when he sees one. I think he will get a huge experience from Sisu.
– I also think that Jalmari will join the ranks of great international directors with this film.
Sisu 2 was filmed in Estonia, but there were many Finns in the working group, and Langi has developed some kind of image of Finns.
– I love Finns and your sense of humor. Finns are a tough people, if you understand what I mean. Some reasons for resilience are human, some geographical, some weather-related. The weather can be brutal here, says Lang.
Jalmari Helander brought her children to the red carpet. MATTI MATIKAINEN
Helander himself reacts to Lang’s praise with humor.
– Compliments are commonplace, Helander smiles.
– They are quite nice.
Helander says that the second part was tougher control than the first.
– I had a bit bigger thoughts with this, and I thought about how I can do everything I want and as well as I want.
Helander says that in the end he made everything work.
The Finn’s next big directorial work is John Rambo, which tells about Rambo’s youth. Sylvester Stallone’s Rambos are the nobility of action movies.
– It feels quite special to direct Rambo, but the only way to do it is to do your best.
So how does Helander keep a cool head during the filming that starts at the beginning of next year?
– I don’t know that yet, Helander laughs.
Sisu 2 premieres on Wednesday.