SLAVE HERO Jim Schembri interviews Scandinavian actor Jakob Oftebro

As one of Scandinavia’s hottest and busiest young stars, Jakob Oftebro hops between working in the film and TV industries of his native Norway and his adopted homeland of Denmark.

He appeared in the acclaimed 2012 film Kon-Tiki and has starred in such TV series as The Bridge, Lilyhammer and the epic 2014 historical drama 1864, one of the most expensive Danish TV series ever made.

In Gold Coast Oftebro plays Wulff, a young botanist whose mission is to work in the Danish territories of Africa for a year before returning home to marry his fiance Caroline (Danica Curcic).

Oftebro as a botanist in the historical epic Gold Coast.

Though the colony is meant to be freshly free of slavery, he finds the trade thriving thanks to the corruption of the officials in charge. It’s not something his principles can withstand for long.

Oftebro, a naturally handsome and lithe gent, put himself through a gruelling weight-loss regimen to help reflect the brutalities of the time. He was also eager to take part in a project that shone a spotlight on an era not often spoken about. 

In good cheer, Oftebro visited the studio straight off the plane to speak about the film and his burgeoning career.

Please enjoy.

Gold Coast screens Tuesday 19 July, 6.30pm at the Palace Westgarth and Monday 25 July, 6.30pm at the Palace Brighton Bay.

For details about the Scandinavian Film Festival visit www.scandinavianfilmfestival.com

Click play for the interview with Jakob Oftebro

Click play to view a trailer for Gold Coast