The actor on celebrity, Ingmar Bergman and getting older: “I’d rather wear my years like jewelry”
Published 2024-02-26 14.45
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She has been active as an actor for almost 50 years and is currently rehearsing for an upcoming performance.
But now Stina Ekblad, who turns 70 today, says that she plans to step off the theater stage for good.
– I feel that I am done with it.
- Legendary actress Stina Ekblad, who is celebrating her 70th birthday, plans to retire from the theater stage after almost 50 years in the profession.
- Ekblad, known for his roles in several Ingmar Bergman films as well as in “Wallander”, wants to focus more on music and poetry.
- Despite her age, Ekblad rejects the idea of feeling shame about the aging process, and wants to stand against a culture that constantly encourages youth and beauty.
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Even as a ten-year-old Stina Ekblad clearly that it was acting that she would devote her professional life to. That’s exactly how it happened, and next year she has been active for 50 years.
Today Stina Ekblad turns 70, something to be celebrated with coffee and champagne together with girlfriends. She laughs heartily when asked if she embraces the number or rather pulls down the blinds.
– I am perhaps more the roller blind type. It’s a bit strange to get older, but I’d rather wear my years as jewelry and not as blemishes. I don’t think you should go around being ashamed or feeling neglected because you are old. It’s not that easy in a society that constantly encourages youth, freshness and superficiality. But I still think it’s a mission we older people have, to feel a dignity, joy and pride around it.
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full screenStina Ekblad during the presentation of the autumn repertoire at Dramaten 2023. Photo: Claudio Bresciani / TT / TT Nyhetsbyrån
“I feel that I am done with acting”
Stina Ekblad is working full time and is rehearsing “Hotel White Horse” at Folkoperan at the same time she is playing the last performances of “Perserna Trojanskorna” at Dramaten. In addition to that, the jubilee is also planning a project with the musician IIris Viljanen. But then it is probably over for Stinas Ekblad.
– I feel that I am finished with theater and long to devote myself more to music and poetry. The big theater performances cost more and more the older you get.
Stina Ekblad first worked in Denmark before she came to Sweden – and suddenly got an offer from herself Ingmar Bergman who wanted to see her in the iconic “Fanny and Alexander”.
– I had always admired Bergman and loved his films very much. But I couldn’t imagine being in his movie and didn’t even think he knew who I was. It was completely absurd that Bergman called.
chevron-leftpreviouschevron-rightnextStina Ekblad 2013.
1 / 4Photo: LINA SIKSJÖ
Stina Ekblad is destined for celebrity
In addition to heavy dramas, Stina Ekblad is associated with the role of the autopsy in the “Wallander” films and she has also done more light-hearted entertainment in the form of a therapist in the comedy series “Hjälp” and recited Samir and Viktor’s “Groupie” in Melodifestivalen. She is not afraid to take on that type of assignment.
– It’s very inspiring to do different TV series or small roles where, for example, you meet fantastic comedians that I don’t meet on stage. It’s also fun to get away. I’m quite curious myself. But I have also turned down things that felt pointless.
But the celebrity that comes with the profession is something she is torn about.
– I like solitude and am a bit of a recluse and private by myself, so I’ve been a bit shy about revealing my life.
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full screenStina Ekblad recites Samir & Viktor’s “Groupie” in Melodifestivalen 2016. Photo: Peter Wixtröm
“I often think about death and I always have”
Something Stina Ekblad, on the other hand, is not afraid to speak openly about is death.
– It’s not that dramatic, you live and then you have to die. I cannot fear death, it is inevitable and treats everyone equally. We shall receive the undiscovered land that awaits us. I often think about death and always have.
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full screen chevron-rightnextMai Zetterling, Erland Josephson and Stina Ekblad before the film “Amorosa” in 1985.
1 / 2Photo: LARS ÅSTRÖM
FACT
This is Stina Ekblad
Name: Stina Åsa Maria Ekblad.
Born: 26 February 1954 in Solf in Ostrobothnia.
Family: Son Adrian, 32.
Career: Has been active as an actor since 1975. Was employed at Dramaten in 1988 and appeared in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, “Trettondagsafton”, “Hamlet” etc. Among the films are “Fanny and Alexander”, “Trolösa”, “Wallander” etc.
Current: Turns 70 today.
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