Lord of the Rings actor Viggo Mortensen has made his debut as a writer-director with Falling, a film that explores a family dealing with its patriarch’s battle with dementia. In an interview with Variety, Mortensen has talked about his approach to directing, and how it mirrors the way he acts.

　　While Mortensen has worked with some big-name directors--perhaps most famously Peter Jackson, but also Jane Campion, David Cronenberg, Ridley Scott, and many more--he says he never tried to copy anyone else’s way of directing.

　　You need a javascript enabled browser to watch videos.

　　Click To Unmute

　　Tears Of The Kingdom Is A Technological Marvel

　　Resident Evil 4 Is A Perfect RemakeHow Alan Wake II Made Me Face My Fear of Horror GamesGameSpot's Top 10 Games of 2023Thompson: The Pop Culture Icon’s Strange Legacy - LoadoutFirearms Expert’s FAVORITE Weapons Of 2023State Of Gaming Handhelds In 2023Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Official Ichiban Kasuga Character Spotlight TrailerHow Lies of P Cracked the Souls GenreLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Official Chitose Fujinomiya Character Spotlight TrailerLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Official Eric Tomizawa Character Spotlight TrailerLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Official Kazuma Kiryu Character Spotlight Trailer

　　Share

　　LinkEmbed

　　Size:640 × 360480 × 270

　　Start at: End at: Autoplay Loop

　　Want us to remember this setting for all your devices?

　　Sign up or Sign in now!

　　Please use a html5 video capable browser to watch videos.

　　This video has an invalid file format.

　　00:00:00

　　HTML5

　　Auto HD High Low

　　Report a problem

　　Sorry, but you can't access this content!

Please enter your date of birth to view this video

　　By clicking 'enter', you agree to GameSpot's

　　Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

　　enter

　　Now Playing: 13 Biggest TV Shows To Watch For Fall 2020

　　“When it came to shooting Falling, I never thought about anybody else’s style,” Mortensen told Variety. “As an actor, I always do a load of research; I don’t want to leave anything unexamined. But then I put it to one side, so I can be open to what’s happening on the set. I’m the same as a director.”

　　That doesn’t mean he hasn’t taken anything from his previous work with some of the biggest names in the field, however. “I learned from those directors in terms of preparation--Campion, Cronenberg and the rest taught me that you can never prepare too much or too early for a shoot,” Mortensen said, after explaining that it had taken him some time and multiple tries to get Falling off the ground. “By waiting, I probably was able to avoid a lot of beginner’s mistakes.”

　　Lord of the Rings fans may have heard that Viggo Mortensen suggested many of the small details that brought his character Aragorn to life, and it sounds like Mortensen as a director has been receptive to similar input from his own cast and crew.

　　“On the first day, I told the cast and crew: ‘A good idea comes from anyone, anytime. We’ve got one shot to tell the story, so any idea helps; we’re all making this movie together,’” he explained. “I learned that from the best directors I worked with. I’ve been very lucky.”

　　Falling, which stars Lance Henrikson with Mortensen playing his son, has been well received on the festival circuit, and looks set for awards season in multiple categories. It is receiving a limited theatrical release in some European countries from November through to February. Other countries have not yet had a theatrical release announced.