Par
Angélique Passebosc
Published on Nov 2, 2024 at 8:42 a.m.
See my news Follow Voix du Midi Lauragais
It ended in Lauragais. THE filming of the Norwegian series Harald and Sonja (The Commoner, a royal dilemma in English, Editor’s note) – which will be broadcast on February 14, 2025 on Amazon Prime and Viaplay – concluded this Wednesday, October 23, 2024 in the town of Sorèze where the director and screenwriter Vibeke Idsøe – who is at the origin of this production intended for the small screen – chose to install his cameras. Filming in the heart of this Tarn village some scenes missing from his mini-series of four episodes. A surprising choice when we know that the forty-year-old – who has already directed and/or scripted six feature films – had never previously filmed in France. A choice that she agreed to explain to Voice of Midi Lauragaisreturning at the same time to the true story that inspired the work. Interview.
You were in Sorèze this Wednesday October 23 to shoot the last scenes of Harald and Sonja. What is this TV series about?
The series tells the love story between King Harald and Queen Sonja (current king and queen of Norway, Editor’s note). They met and fell in love one summer evening in 1959, but their relationship must have developed in secret: at that time, for an heir to the throne to marry a commoner was unheard of.
The Norwegian Constitution states – and it still does – that the prince cannot marry without the consent of the king. When the rumor that Sonja was the crown prince’s girlfriend spread, it caused great opposition. Everyone was against this choice: the king and his court, the Government, the press, the people. Harald was torn between his love for Sonja and his conscience. By pursuing his love for a commoner, he put the monarchy in great danger. It took nine years before love finally supplanted tradition. In 1968, King Olav finally gave his permission. The Dauphin Harald then became the first European heir to the throne to marry a commoner.
How do we approach such a story when it comes to transcribing it on screen?
We tried to be as authentic as possible, whether in the script or in the visual execution of the story. We did some very thorough research, our goal being to find out what really happened. What we know has largely been faithfully recreated, but as in The Crown (the American-British television series broadcast on Netflix and about the life of Queen Elizabeth II, Editor’s note), we enter private spaces and recreate this world as an extension of the world that has been documented.
Why did you want to bring it to the screen?
I was really fascinated by the material. It’s a beautiful love story and it’s true! It actually happened. I also found it fascinating that it wasn’t just a run-of-the-mill Cinderella story. I think Crown Prince Harald needed Sonja more than she needed a royal life. He lost his mother early, he never discussed emotional topics with his father. The Palace was a cold environment, mostly run by men from the military. Harald found in Sonja and in the house she shared with his mother the love and warmth he really needed.
I also think this story tells something important about our society. The 1960s were a decade of great political, technical, cultural progress – we walked on the Moon for the first time, the Beatles and pop culture became phenomena! Society has become more tolerant and a new generation has become heard in a new and different way. Until in 1968, the people were ready to welcome a commoner into the royal family. The union between Crown Prince Harald and Sonja Haraldsen has become a symbol of progress, a bridge between an archaic and a more modern world.
Much of the story takes place in Norway. However, you chose to shoot a scene here, in Sorèze. For what ? What is the link between this small town in France and this part of Scandinavian history?
In the spring of 1965, Sonja had been studying French for a year at the University of Oslo. Before starting a third trimester, she wanted to live in France and learn the language from the locals. She had been in a relationship with Harald for six years and was tired of waiting. In Oslo, she met a French woman, Marie Gertrude de Guibert, whose sister was looking for an au pair. The Guibert family lived on a farm near Sorèze. In the village, at the royal and military school, Sonja found a teacher who agreed to give her private lessons. She loved being here, the family she stayed with, the village, the kind people, the fact of being able to deepen her learning of the language, the culture, the history. She returned to Oslo in 1966, but she enjoyed staying in Sorèze so much that she returned there in the spring of 1967 and stayed until Easter.
Is this story known in Norway?
Yes, well known even. The Queen spoke about her stay in Sorèze and her love for French culture in several interviews.
It was the first time you toured in France. How did this happen?
We only had one day of filming in Sorèze and everything went very well. We are extremely grateful for the kindness with which we were welcomed.
What were the advantages of filming part of the series here?
We found here the visual authenticity that we were looking for from the beginning when making this series. Our queen came to Sorèze and we are really satisfied to have had the opportunity to do these scenes correctly. Then, a ginger cat voluntarily joined our cast and did a superb performance by crossing the square at the perfect moment.
In what other countries or locations have you filmed for the series?
A large part of the story takes place in Norway, we shot in Oslo on location and in the studio. King Olav is the cousin of King George V, so he has spent quite a bit of time in the British royal family. The story also includes scenes with Queen Elizabeth, the Queen’s mother, and Philip. These scenes were filmed outside Dublin. We also have some scenes of Harald attending college in Oxford that were filmed in Ireland.
Is filming now finished?
Yes. We will distribute it soon. We just need to insert the scenes taken in Sorèze.
Do you know how long viewers will be able to see Sorèze on screen?
It’s difficult to say since we haven’t yet edited the material we have. But Sonja’s stay in France is an important turning point in the love story, so these scenes are very precious to us.
Follow all the news from your favorite cities and media by subscribing to Mon Actu.
