Celebrity Interview: Luke Perry Talks On A Swedish Midsummer Sex Comedy

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A Swedish Midsummer Sex Comedy, the light-hearted journey into an endless summer night gone seriously awry, from Coso Nova Films and Elan Entertainment has recently been released, in the United States, for the Home Entertainment Market.

Directed by Ian McCrudden, A Swedish Midsummer Sex Comedy stars Luke Perry as the irrepressible American, Sam, with a hidden addiction, and long time friend of Emil, played by Swedish actor Daniel Gustavsson. Rounding out the cast of friends gathering at Emil’s summer cottage for the Swedish holiday tradition are Susanne/Lisa Werlinder, Maria/Annica Bejhed, Micke/Alexander Karim, Eva/Anna Littorin, Anders/Ollie Sari, Patrik/Per Wernolf and Katrina/Kari Hamsfors-Wernolf each bringing their own issues and baggage to the weekend romp.

Set in a small Swedish holiday village, A Swedish Midsummer Sex Comedy brings together a group of longtime friends for an annual tradition of Mid-Summer, the day when night never comes.

With the reunion, reminiscent of the 1980’s Film THE BIG CHILL, the restraints of life are lifted when the Swedes, known for their liberal sexual attitudes, bring a comedic twist to heartache. The sexual energy is electric and heightened as high hopes dissolve into hidden desires and unacknowledged passions finally burst into flames. Will friendships remain after this seasonal outing gone wrong?

Having the opportunity to speak with Luke Perry, whose credits include Beverly Hills 90210, Goodnight for Justice and Criminal Minds, we spoke on the film, challenges of the industry life and what’s next. He was pleasant, accommodating and different than one would think, he seemed to surf the ups and downs of industry life with ease.


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Janet Walker: Congratulations on the film.

Luke Perry: Thank you. That’s nice of you to say.

JW: You’re welcome. So why don’t you tell me a little bit about the role and how you prepared for it?

LP: You know what? I didn’t prepare; At all. I wanted to make that clear upfront to everybody. I spoke English already so that was easy for me, being the American. The whole idea as Ian, explained it to me, was kind of similar to his experiences being the odd man out in Sweden. He being an American married to a Swede and so I sort of went with no real preconceptions or ideas on what to do. I just wanted to keep my mind and my eyes open and see what would happen so I didn’t do any homework at all.

JW: Describe working with Ian McCrudden. What’s he like?

Luke Perry: He’s great. Ian’s one of these guys where, I think, he really knows what directing is about. And he loves what he’s doing and he treats his people really well. He’s one of these guys Hollywood would probably kick around and not give him the opportunity that he deserves and it’s unfortunate because, he really is talented and I’d like to see him get a shot at making some other stuff. I’d work with him

JW: Um. That’s great. What are your most memorable moments, its look really good and fun, I mean it has a nice setting to it, so what were some of your most memorable moments from working on this film?

 

LP: I remember when we were all sitting in the sauna, you know the scene where I’m outside the sauna but everybody else is inside when I come out and Daniel (Gustavsson) and I are sitting outside talking. Well, before we came out to talk, we were all sitting in the Sauna. That was a great day on the set. That was just a lot of fun. It’s really cold outside but we had to stay in the Sauna in between set ups to stay warm. So, I’m just sitting around in there in the sauna with everybody and ordinarily that could be a hellish nightmare. I can think of a roomful of actors that I would never want to be in a sauna with. These guys, they were all cool. We just all hung out in there.


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JW: So when was the filming?

LP: I think we shut down last October. It was cold. I tell you that. Midsummer did not feel like Midsummer. It was cold out there. But it was beautiful. I thought the place that we shot, with all the little Swedish villages. It was great.

JW: How was the experience of making this film different than you thought it would be?

LP: You know I try not to have (pausing) it’s always preconceptions and the way you thought it would be that’s always what makes you disappointed. I’ve been in so many situations filming, where I thought it was going to be one thing and it was somewhere else or something different so I try not to set myself up for any of that.  If you’re going to go overseas and make a small independent film a in a tiny little village you’ve never been in before you just need to be open minded.  

JW: What is the one thing that drew you to this project? 

LP: Ian. It was Ian. He’s a very charming guy, very convincing. He told me how much he loved this movie and how great the people involved are going to be and all that stuff. And quite frankly, I got sold on this one. The brother sold me on the idea of doing it and I’m glad he did.


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JW: So are you drawn to particular projects more so than others?

LP: Yea. I like Western stuff. I like period stuff it’s doesn’t necessarily have to be westerns. Just making movies that don’t have cell phones and computers and stuff in them I really like. Movies that are contemporary there’s always you have to do this shot with the cell phone, or the computer or with the graphic or the thing and it’s just so fucking boring and it isn’t interesting to me and unique. With these types of movies you don’t have to deal with that of stuff because you get into the scene work of it.

JW: So, Luke, What’s next for you?

LP: Right now, I’m in pre-production in a couple of movies I’m producing this summer for the Hallmark Movie Channel. It’s a sequel and a third installment this Goodnight for Justice franchise that I have with these guys.

JW: Ok! So Jonah (the Publicist) told me to wrap it up at 10:50am and we’re at that place. Luke, thanks. It was a pleasure talking with you.

LP: But I feel bad because I got on late. I want to give you time to get all your questions in, you sound like a nice lady.


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JW: Thanks, Thanks. I did ask all my questions. And next time, we’ll go for a little longer time.

LP: I hope so. I look forward to it.

JW: Great. Oh and I appreciated your work on Criminal Minds recently. I saw it on late night. I thought you did a really good role, I mean played a good job, I mean did a  . . .

LP: You know I’m always fascinated at how those guys can get over and I wanted to take a chance and playing on and seeing the David Koresh type. I don’t see how these people don’t see that coming a mile away. Clearly,

JW: Ok. So, nice talking to you.

LP: Ok. Thanks.

A Swedish MidSummer Sex Comedy is available on DVD. The Goodnight for Justice series is in pre-production and can be seen on the Hallmark movie Channel. Check your local listings.

 

*From the archives.