Sebastian Stan Plays Conservative, Homophobic Father in New Film 'Fjord'
Stan's portrayal of Mihai Gheorghiu, inspired by a real-life controversial child welfare case, has drawn attention for its stark contrast to his previous roles.
Sebastian Stan takes on a transformative role as Mihai Gheorghiu, a conservative, bald, and homophobic father in the upcoming legal drama "Fjord." The film, directed by Cristian Mungiu, centers on a Romanian family who relocate to Norway and face intervention from child protection services.
Mungiu, known for his 2007 film "4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days," drew inspiration for "Fjord" from the true story of the Bodnariu family. In 2016, their five children were removed by Norwegian authorities after the parents admitted to spanking them. The case ignited global protests, and the family eventually had their children returned after nearly seven months.
Stan's character, Mihai, moves his family to Norway, where his wife Lisbet (Renate Reinsve) is from. The film depicts Mihai's strict adherence to an austere Christian lifestyle, which includes daily Bible studies and a disciplinary system involving "points." When his daughter Elia appears at school with a bruise, child protection services are alerted. Mihai believes his family is being targeted due to their religious beliefs and conservative values, particularly his views on traditional marriage.
"Fjord" is set to open in U.S. theaters on October 9. Stan's performance has been noted as a significant departure from his well-known role as Bucky Barnes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The film explores the cultural and ideological clashes that arise from Mihai's parenting and beliefs within the Norwegian social context.
Despite the challenging nature of the character, reviews suggest Stan delivers a compelling performance, undergoing a physical transformation and embodying Mihai's controlled anger and deliberate demeanor. The film aims to explore the complexities of the situation without explicit judgment on Mihai's way of life.