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Virgin Radio
8 Jun 2024, 10:22
Credit: Getty/Shout Studios
Viggo Mortensen shares the moving dedication behind his new Western, blending personal history with classic cowboy drama.
The man who brought Aragorn to life is back in the saddle, but this time he's taking us on a ride through the dusty trails of the American frontier.
Viggo Mortensen's latest venture, The Dead Don't Hurt, is a Western filled with heart, grit, and a whole lot of soul.
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Not only did Mortensen star in the film, but he also wrote, directed, and produced it, making this a true labour of love.
Set in the tumultuous 1860s, The Dead Don't Hurt tells the story of star-crossed lovers Vivienne Le Coudy (played by the fierce Vicky Krieps) and Danish immigrant Holger Olsen (Viggo Mortensen).
Their peaceful existence in Elk Flats, Nevada, is ripped apart by the outbreak of the Civil War.
Holger, choosing to fight for the Union, leaves Vivienne to fend off the advances of the local corrupt mayor and his shady business partner.
But here's where it gets interesting: Mortensen's dedication to his mother, who inspired the character of Vivienne, adds a touching layer to this wild Western tale.
Speaking exclusively to virginradio.co.uk, Mortensen revealed: "Well, the character of Vivienne, both the girl and then the grown up version. [Is] this image of things I knew about my mother when she was a little girl, and the sort of place where she grew up, that kind of forest in the Northeast of the United States, near the Canadian border, maples, red oaks, black walnuts, hickories.
"And she had a real vivid imagination. She was very curious about other people, other cultures. She read stories to me, told me stories like my moms do, but she also took me to movies when I was very young. And her whole life, we would go to movies and always talk story.
"Yeah, it's dedicated to her, the movie because Vivienne is inspired by her, at least her person. And then it morphed into a Western once I realised that I wanted to place her in the 19th century, on the western frontier."
Imagine little Viggo tagging along to movie theatres with his mom, soaking up stories and films that would one day shape his career. It's almost poetic that this very personal project was born out of those cherished memories.
"Seeing the little girl running around in the forest, you know, because we found a place... it's almost identical. If you put it side by side, a photograph of where my mom used to play and where she ended her days, actually... And yeah, seeing that little girl running around, even though she didn't look exactly like my mom, but it was enough," Mortensen reminisced.
In true cowboy fashion, Mortensen drew inspiration from countless Westerns, both good and bad.
When asked if one particular Western inspired him, he joked: "No one in particular, I watched all the movies I had, I remembered watching, and then I looked for and found many more. I mean, just watched hundreds of Westerns and mostly bad ones, like in most genres, most movies are not that original or very good. But then there's a handful that are classics."
And who could resist the charm of a classic Western? With the sweeping landscapes, high-stakes drama, and a touch of romance, The Dead Don't Hurt promises to deliver all the hallmarks of a great Western.
But this isn't just another tale of shootouts and standoffs. It's a story deeply rooted in personal history and familial love, making it a unique entry in the genre.
Now, let's talk about the ensemble cast that’s ready to bring this frontier drama to life. Alongside Mortensen and Krieps, we've got Danny Huston playing the corrupt Mayor Rudolph Schiller, Garret Dillahunt as the powerful rancher Alfred Jeffries, and Solly McLeod as the violent, wayward son Weston.
With a lineup like that, we're in for some top-notch performances.
The Dead Don't Hurt is in cinemas now.
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