Fantastic Fest: Alexander Skarsgard and the Cloud of Estrogen
Filed under: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Fandom, Fantastic Fest
When I went to see Metropia (and reviewed it) at Fantastic Fest on Saturday night, all I knew about Alexander Skarsgard was that he had a role in the film, and that he was the son of actor Stellan Skarsgard -- I hadn't seen him in anything. Metropia director Tarik Saleh had told me earlier in the day that Alexander Skarsgard was in Shreveport shooting Straw Dogs, but would drive down here for the screening, and I thought that was awfully nice of him. I hoped the screening would have a full house so the actor wouldn't feel like his efforts were wasted.
I don't watch the TV show True Blood, and had no idea that Skarsgard had such a following of female fans. The theater was packed, and many attendees were nicely dressed women. During the Q&A, more audience members than usual were snapping photos. Admittedly, Skarsgard is very easy on the eyes. But I was completely taken aback when, after the Q&A, a crowd of women mobbed the Alamo Drafthouse lobby to get photos taken with Skarsgard. As a friend of mine remarked, it was as though a cloud of estrogen had descended upon the film festival -- there are plenty of women at Fantastic Fest, but they aren't usually clamoring around a male movie star.
Although I did not have my own photo taken with him, Skarsgard proved to be a patient gentleman who gracefully let any number of women pose for pictures with him. Later that night, he showed up at the Highball for a late-night party and was equally polite to gushing fans.
For those of you who are fans of Skarsgard (or of Tarik Saleh), here's a photo from the Metropia Q&A:
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-01-2009 @ 8:58AM
Debbie said...
Thank you for posting your adventure! True Blood and Vampire Eric Northman have a huge following (including myself!) Alex is so humble and patient with his fans. I cannot wait to see this movie. I've seen the trailer and it looks so dark and intriguing.
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10-01-2009 @ 10:55AM
FairyPants said...
that man is just the best damn thing to come out of Sweden since Ikea and lingonberry jam.... I hope he sticks around the US for a while. Sweden's had him long enough. IT'S OUR TURN :)
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10-01-2009 @ 2:01PM
Ari said...
He's a fabulous actor and incredibly easy on the eyes. Love his portrayal of Eric Northman on True Blood. Thanks for the story and picture.
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10-01-2009 @ 6:27PM
Ann Marie said...
Thanks for the story. I can imagine how tough it is on actors/actress that always has screaming fans asking for autographs and such. Every time I read about him interviewing or showing up some where he's always the same man patient and appreciate his fans. Thank you Askars!
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10-01-2009 @ 9:01PM
Nicole J said...
Fairy Pants:
We have had Skarsgard in our midst for some time now.... or am I the only one who remembers him as Brint from 'Zoolander'?
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10-02-2009 @ 12:06AM
roseypink said...
actually he's meekus from zoolander
10-03-2009 @ 2:33AM
Jaded said...
I actually very much liked him in Generation Kill, and have heard that he was very good in in Kill Your Darlings.
I actually read the True Blood books when I found out that the show was coming out and developed a literary crush on the character of Eric there (yes I like Mr. Darcy too), but Alexander Skargard's portrayal of the character is so spot on that I can understand how women react to him in real life. I kind of feel like it's the same thing as the teenagers that go crazy for Edward character of the Twilight franchise. Thank the stars that at least Skarsgard has a bit of an older audience though, I'm not sure if the world could handle two Robert Pattinson's at once.
I do have to agree with FairyPants on one thing though he is up there with Ikea and Ligonberry Jam as a favorite Swedish import.
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11-10-2009 @ 10:24AM
Nea said...
You should really grab the dvd of Generation Kill - as much as I like Alex' performance in True Blood, his role in GK is outstanding and should not be missed.
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