Benjamin Stender: Only Your Imagination Sets the Limits For Who You Are (Actor, Denmark)

Benjamin Stender Interview

"In all honesty, the greatest privilege of my profession is that there are no limits to what the next story might be."

Q. You grew up between Los Angeles and Denmark, and later trained in Rome. How has this mix of cultures shaped the way you approach your craft as an actor?

When I moved to the USA, I was incredibly surprised by the reward system the schools had – at least where I attended.They had something called “Student of the Week,” “Student of the Month,” and even “Student of the Year.” For good effort, you were rewarded – for going the extra mile, for maintaining your effort, and for standing out.

The rewards ranged from restaurant visits with your family to entire weekend trips that were gifted – and even limousine rides. I immediately fell for this, and it meant that even as a child, I learned that hard work pays off.

But what I received most of all from the USA was the idea that anything was possible. It was all about effort. And it didn’t matter what you looked like or where you came from: everyone had the same chance.On a gigantic church in California, I once saw the words written in huge letters outside: “If you can dream it, you can do it.”

That really stuck with me. Even though my Danish mentality sometimes laughs at things like that, I still thought it was a great saying – one that helped break down personal doubts and inner limitations.

I would say that my artistic and human formation took shape in Italy.
Maybe that’s why artists used to go to Italy on a grand tour. Because it wasn’t just the practical craft I was given, but also a sense of humanity and a way of viewing the world – and especially a way of living – that I had never experienced before.

In Denmark, we keep emotions to ourselves. Probably because we don’t like them – or because they’re taboo. In Italy, emotions are a way of communicating. And it was very hard for me at first to get used to that. I think I took it all too personally and kept thinking: “Those Romans are crazy".But it later became a gift for me – also in my acting – to be able to use emotional expression as a natural part of communication, because that is what the Italian language is.

What I also learned was the concept of beauty. In all its forms. Visual art, language, general aesthetics – Italians have a deep understanding of it on so many levels. It feels like they are, in a way, on a higher level in everything they do.

Q. You’ve played Hamlet at Kronborg Castle — the very place tied to Shakespeare’s story — for several years now. How does performing that role in such an iconic setting change your relationship with the character?

Being allowed to play Hamlet at Kronborg itself – in the very rooms that Shakespeare intended the scenes to take place in – is unique. A method actor would probably have been very satisfied, because you can’t get any closer to the real thing.

There is so much history tied to that place, but what stood out most of all as a revelation was that I was in a space where the thoughts and language of the play could truly live.

The majestic surroundings with high ceilings and almost superhuman architecture made the words, thoughts, and expressions from my character, Hamlet, something I could relate to far more than if I had performed the play on a stage.
Kronborg holds both a sense of isolation behind its walls and an opportunity for reflection through the many lookout points across the Sound.

Q. Winning the Reumert Talent Prize for The Woman in Black was a milestone. What did that recognition mean for you personally at that stage in your journey?

The Reumert Award was the first prize I ever received for acting. It came as an unbelievable surprise. I definitely didn’t expect it. Being recognized for something you’ve devoted yourself to – not just as a job, but as a way of life – is incredibly important to me.

Because at times, it can be difficult and exhausting to live in this industry, but when you know that others believe in you and appreciate your work, you can’t help but feel joy.

Q. If you could momentarily switch places with any of the characters you’ve played — Hamlet, Arthur Kipps, or others — who would you choose to live as, and why?

I probably wouldn’t want to take on Hamlet’s life. I think he was deeply unhappy and lost, and I believe the only way for him to find peace was by no longer existing.

Arthur Kipps was cursed, so I wouldn’t want to live his life either. If I had to choose a role, I’d probably childishly say the time I played Demetrius in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Because who wouldn’t want to live in a world where magic and supernatural creatures exist?

Q. Looking ahead, what kinds of roles or stories excite you most — are you drawn more to timeless classics, or do you see yourself diving deeper into contemporary and unconventional narratives?

In all honesty, the greatest privilege of my profession is that there are no limits to what the next story might be. You can find yourself on Mars, in a 1960s prison, in a forest surrounded by pixies – or in ancient Egypt. Only your imagination sets the limits for who you are and where you are. You almost live in a dream, and it is my task as an actor to convince both myself and the audience that it’s a reality.

As a child, I watched a lot of films about the Roman Empire and the medieval crusades – and all the mysterious stories they contained. So I suppose it’s still a dream to one day be allowed to fight with a sword, sitting on a horse in armor.
A childhood fantasy like that probably never truly dies.

Bio

Benjamin Stender is a truly international actor, a talent that has travelled to continents and cultures to make his mark on both the silver screen and the theatrical stage.

He began his artistic odyssey in the sunshine of Los Angeles, California, spending his formative years in the heart of the entertainment industry. Upon his return to Denmark, he embarked on a unique path, attending the esteemed Sank Annae Gymnasium, a music high school, where his creative spirit continued to flourish. With a solid foundation in music and a growing hunger for the dramatic arts, Stender’s journey led him back to Italy, where he embarked on his formal training as an actor.

In 2012, he graduated from the European Academy of Dramatic Arts armed with a Bachelor of Arts in performing arts, ready to make his mark on the world stage. It didn’t take long for his talent to be recognized. Benjamin Stender’s breakthrough came alongside the legendary Oscar-winning actor F. Murray Abraham in “The Unseen World,” setting the stage for a remarkable career in front of the camera.

He transitioned between Italian TV productions and international films and series, proving his versatility and commanding presence onscreen. His career has seen him crisscrossing the cultural landscapes of Rome and Copenhagen, captivating audiences with his captivating performances. Since 2016, he’s been a permanent iconic role of Hamlet at Kronborg Castle in Elsinore every summer, embodying one of Shakespeare’s most complex characters with skill and passion.

In the realm of cinema, his star continued to rise. He graced the American film industry with his presence in “Gore,” a production that featured the enigmatic Kevin Spacey. His global appeal extended to the small screen as well, where he took on a pivotal role in “The Name of The Rose,” an international series based on Umberto Eco’s literary masterpiece from 1980.

Instagram: Benjamin Stender

Interviewed by Irene Elina Eldhose