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Swedish actor Max Von Sydow discusses his character 'The Renter' in the film Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close 2011 in which he plays a mute throughout the entire picture only communicating through gestures and written notes. There was a discussion during filming as to whether or not his character should speak at the end, the director Stephen Daldry did consider this. Von Sydow objected as he felt, it would completely take away from the story, which was about a child navigating his way through grief. He goes on to talk about playing lots of villains and religious characters throughout his career, his favourite villain was in Three Days Of Condor 1975. An assassin who was very interesting, he killed for money after being instructed to, a very enjoyable part to play. Shutter Island 2010 Von Sydow talks about playing the elderly doctor, with very old fashioned ideas on how to treat the patients, 'very interesting.' Von Sydow then reflects on his time working with Swedish director Ingmar Bergman, they met when they were young and both working in theatres back home in Sweden. He went on to work in the same theatre and also appeared in his films, famously The Seventh Seal 1957. They had similar backgrounds and developed a mutual trust very early on. 'Bergman was serious but was also a man of great humour and love'. His filmmaking required a discipline and a silence, this was something Von Sydow admired and learnt from, he taught the young actors discipline, silence and co-operation, to work as part of a team - he describes the process as a very stimulating experience. Following this is The Greatest Story Ever Told 1965 his first American picture directed by George Steven's - another very serious and disciplined director. Von Sydow goes on to discuss his character in the film Pelle The Conqueror 1987, a wonderful story, wonderful character, the one single film that has meant so much to him. Minority Report 2002 Von Sydow describes as both the film and the director Steven Spielberg as being 'magnificent.' Von Sydow talks about his love of the theatre, he would very much like to do more, although time consuming, it’s something he loves very much. He has only one regret in his career, Bergman offered him the part of the villainous bishop in his film Fanny and Alexander 1982 his agent demanded more money behind his back, Bergman refused and by the time he went back to accept the part and the original wage, the part had been re-cast. Von Sydow describes Bergman's films as being low budget - 'The Seventh Seal’ was made for 40,000 Swedish Crowns’. The last film discussed is The Diving Bell and Butterfly 2007 he only had two scenes in this very emotional and inspiring movie, playing the father of a man who was paralysed after suffering a stroke. Von Sydow describes the film as being 'wonderful and brilliant.'

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