Iben Hjejle


Iben Hjejle is a Danish actress, notable for starring in the Stephen Frears film High Fidelity. In Denmark, she is perhaps best known for appearing in the Danish television sitcom Langt fra Las Vegas and playing the girlfriend of Danish comedian Casper Christensen, her former real life partner. She also plays Christensen's girlfriend in the sitcom Klovn and the title role in the TV crime series Dicte.

Early life and career

Hjejle was born in Copenhagen. She has starred in a series of Danish movies, including a Dogme 95 movie, and also in Danish-produced action films such as Old Men in New Cars. She also played the Swedish Queen Sofia Magdalena in SVT's successful period drama production of The Marriage of Gustav III in 2001.

Later career

Hjejle also appeared in the 1996 film Portland, Mifune's Last Song in 1999, The Emperor's New Clothes in 2002, and in Dreaming of Julia and Flickering Lights in 2003. For her performance in Mifune's Last Song, she won an Honourable Mention at the 49th Berlin International Film Festival. It was also at the same festival that she was discovered by Stephen Frears, who offered her a part in his film High Fidelity, where she played John Cusack's character's girlfriend Laura. In 2008 he offered her a part in Chéri, in a cameo as Marie Laure. Her involvement was a part of a minor international comeback. Additionally, the same year she worked on Defiance with Daniel Craig and in 2009 she filmed The Eclipse, which received a limited theatrical release in 2010.
Iben Hjejle was a part of the Danish popular television series Anna Pihl until its ending in April 2008, after three seasons. In 2012, she was cast as the lead in the crime-show Dicte The show debuted in early 2013, while reviews were mixed, Hjejle received good reviews for her performance.
She had a part in Lars von Trier's Direktøren for det hele.

Personal life

From 1996–1999, she was married to Emil de Waal. She turned down the role of Éowyn in Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings film trilogy because she did not like the idea of being so far from home. In an episode of Langt fra Las Vegas, her character Liva makes a joke about .

Filmography

YearTitleRoleNotes
1996PortlandEva
1999Mifune's Last SongLiva PsilanderBerlin International Film Festival – Honorable Mention
Nominatated – Bodil Awards Best Actress
Nominated – European Film Awards Best Actress
The movie received limited theatrical release in the US
2000High FidelityLauraNominated – Chicago Film Critics Association Awards Most promising actress
2000Flickering LightsTherese
2001The Emperor's New ClothesNicole 'Pumpkin' Truchaut
2001 Queen Sofia MagdalenaTV Series
2002Langt fra Las VegasLivaTV-series. Appeared in four season.
2002Old Men in New CarsMille
2003SkagerrakMarieReunited with Søren Kragh-Jacobsen, who directed her in Mifune
2003Dreaming of Julia Julia
2004MonsterthursdaySara
2005KlovnIben
2006Direktøren for det Hele LiseThe first of her movies to be released theatrically in the US since The Emperor's New Clothes
2006Anna PihlMikala Hansen
2007Boy Meets GirlKathrine Poulsen
2008DefianceBellaTo date the only movie she has starred in, that has been nominated for an Academy Award.
2008Journey to SaturnSusanne Mortensen, technical flight directorVoice role
2009ChériMarie LaurieSecond collaboration with Stephen Frears
2009The EclipseLena Morrell
2010"Wallander "Kim KristensenThe Ghost Season 2 Episode 10
2010KlownIbenReleased theatrically in the US in 2012
2011Rosa MorenaChristine
2011Stockholm EastAnna
2011DagJuanita
2012Fuck upMalin
2013DicteDicte
2013Eskil & trinidadMette
2013Alle barn er laget av ild
2016ZootopiaDawn BellwetherDanish version