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Stieg Larsson - mannen bakom Lisbeth Salander

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Noomi Rapace as Lisbeth Salander

Noomi Rapace is the Swedish actress playing the part of Lisbeth Salander in the Millennium movies. Initially questioned whether she could handle the strong and unusual role of Lisbeth, she has risen throughout the movies. Today, her critically acclaimed part as Lisbeth has awarded her with multiple prizes from different Swedish juries. 

Noomi Rapace, née Noomi Norén, was born in Järna, outside Stockholm, Sweden. Her father was Rogelio Durán, a Spanish Flamenco singer, and her mother is Nina Norén, a Swedish actress. When she was five years old, she moved with her mother and stepfather to Flúðir, Iceland, where they stayed for three years. She gained her first acting experience when she played a non-speaking role in "Í skugga hrafnsins" by Hrafn Gunnlaugsson when she was eight years old.

Seventeen years old, she debuted on TV with the part of Lucinda Gonzales in the series "Tre Kronor". 1998 to 1999, Noomi Rapace studied at Skara Skolscen. The following years, she worked at a couple of smaller theaters in Sweden until she was engaged at Swedens two finest theaters, Stockholms stadsteater and The Royal Dramatic Theatre in 2003. Until this date, she has participated in many Swedish plays and movies.

In 2010, Noomi Rapace was awarded for her leading actress role in the Swedish "Män som hatar kvinnor" (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) with a guldbagge (a Swedish Oscar) as well as Dagens Nyheters kulturpris.

Noomi Rapache is married to actor Ola Rapace, and together they have a son, Lev.

Quotes (translated)

"I'm interested in the darker aspects of mankind, that which is not easy or well balanced. The cracks." (DN 2007-11-23)

"We need more extreme movies in Sweden, personal projects not necessarily aimed towards a big audience. I think such goals (big audiences) inhibits creativity" (DN 2007-11-23)

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I admired Noomi Rapace's acting, but I thought she was miscast for the role - her physique was way too muscular to play the slightly built, almost anorexic looking Lisbeth.

I thought Rooney Mara was much closer to the picture of Lisbeth I had in my head while reading the book.

In fact, I think that all the actors in the american version were closer in appearance to how they were described in the book.

- Joseph, 26 Mars 2012

Is it me or you are being totally BIAS!!!!

- Ray Vieira, 28 Mars 2012

Not at all, Ray.

Usually I am not a fan of Hollywood remakes; in fact I often quite dislike them and avoid watching them altogether.

But I have to say that in this case they did a better job than on the original in terms of casting (although I did not like how they changed the ending, revealed secrets of Lisbeth's character which you only find out in the 2nd book and which she never personally reveals to Blomkvist, and the silly MTV style sequence in the credits at the beginning)

- Joseph, 3 April 2012

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I am glad to learn that Noomi Rapace has won a Swedish Oscar for her role as Lisbeth Salander. She was outstanding. No one could possibly touch her performance as Lisbeth.

Very well done!

- Careen Longhurst, 23 Mars 2012

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CONGRATILATIONS TO ALL PEOPLE OF SWEDISH VERSION!!!! I loved the books... but the movies... are amazing... it seems we're inside it!!! Noomi Rapace.... you're fantastic!!!

- Ana (Portugal), 13 Mars 2012

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Fantastic trilogy with Noomi as Lisbeth. Much better than English version. Sad that Steig died before he could realize the rest of his brilliant writing career and carry us all through to the end with Lisbeth. Noomi should be highly honored around the world for her acting in the trilogy.

- Poppsie, 10 Mars 2012

I agree... Noomi is a lot better than the english Rooney Mara... she should be known around the world like Lisbth Salander... she's amazing!!!

- Pitorra, 13 Mars 2012

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I expected to be disappointed with the American version of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, but was pleasantly surprised that it kept true to the original story. Even though I love the new version Noomi will always be the "real" Lizbeth Salander!

- Harbinger1, 27 February 2012

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I watched the Swedish Trilogy a couple months ago, watched the American version of the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and decided that I love them both. I am just now finishing up Mr Larson's three books and feel so bad for losing him as an author and am very sorry that his partner in life has had to deal with such injustice.

- Autumfrost, 20 February 2012

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go noomi go!

- asphyxia, 11 February 2012

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I read all of the books and had an image in my head of what Lisbeth would be... I was nervous to watch any film because films rarely ever do a book justice. I think Noomi Rapace is an absolutely incredible Lisbeth, but I was blown away by Rooney Mara's Lisbeth. I think the Swedish version of the films were much more suspenseful and extremely effective thrillers, and those are all things the American version lacked. However, Rooney Mara's Lisbeth kind of changed the game for me. I thought she was perfect... She was fierce, intense, and intimidating in all the ways I thought Lisbeth Salander would be. I just didn't feel as strongly watching Noomi Rapace play Lisbeth.

- Frances, 8 February 2012

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Noomi, u r gr8 acter!!!!!!!!

- Lex, 26 January 2012

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Noomi rules!!!

Epic actress!!!

Bow to Noomi!!!

- necros 4 from Greece,Thessaloniki, 17 January 2012

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Stieg Larsson

Bestselling writer

A diverse background

Stieg Larsson (1954-2004) was a Swedish writer and journalist.

Prior to his sudden death of a heart attack in November 2004 he finished three detective novels in his trilogy "The Millenium-series" which were published posthumously; "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo", "The Girl Who Played With Fire" and "The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets' Nest". Altogether, his trilogy has sold more than 20 million copies in 41 countries (spring of 2010), and he was the second bestselling author in the world 2008.

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STIEG LARSSON, 1954-2004

Before his career as a writer, Stieg Larsson was mostly known for his struggle against racism and right-wing extremism. Starting in the late 1970's, he combined his work as a graphic designer with holding lectures on right-wing extremism for the Scotland Yard. During the following years he became an expert on the subject and has held many lectures as well as written many novels on the subject. In 1995, when 8 persons were killed by neo-Nazis I Sweden, he was the main force behind the founding of the Expo-foundation, a group intended on exposing neo-Nazi activity in Sweden. From 1999 and on, he was appointed chief editor of the magazine Expo.

During the last 15 years of his life, he and his life companion Eva Gabrielsson lived under constant threat from right-wing violence.

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The legacy

Controversy surrounding the legacy

Stieg left no written will, and according to Swedish law, Stieg's full estate was inherited by his father and brother. This sparked a dispute between them and Stieg's life companion Eva Gabrielsson, who was left with nothing. The situation is complicated by the fact that Eva controls the script for the 4th book in the Millennium series.

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The 4th Book

"I can finish the fourth manuscript"

In the book "Stieg and Moi" that Eva Gabrielsson (Stieg Larsson's life companion) is currently writing together with Marie Francois Colombani, Eva says that she could finish the fourth manuscript that Stieg and her had already started working on.  She also reveals the swedish title of the fourth manuscript, "Guds hämd" ( english translation: God's revenge)

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Support the work against rasicm

Take action now - Support Stieg Larsson's cause!

Stieg Larsson's organization the Expo Foundation is launching a international fundraising site for intensified efforts against organized intolerance. They want to involve people who appreciate what they are doing and who want them to do more. On the site you can create your own supporters' group and invite friends, colleagues and others to participate.

Visit exposupporter.se ...

Praised actress in the limelight

Rooney Mara praised as Lisbeth Salander

Ronney Mara has been highly praised for her role as Lisbeth Salander in David Finchers version of "The girl with the dragon tattoo". Mara has only in a few years made if from tv shows like "ER" to becom on of Hollywoods most wanted actresses.

 

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Hollywood movies

Remake by David Fincher

Columbia Pictures has bought the rights to make a Hollywood version of the Millenium films. Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara has been apointed to play Michael Blomkvist and Lisbeth Salander. Signed on to the project is also the writer Steve Zaillian (Se7en) and director David Fincher (Fight Club, Se7ven).

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Career

A unusual path

There are many ways to become writer, and even though, Stiegs path is quite unusual.

He started working at a post office, moving on to a graphic designer job at a news bureau, starting the Expo foundation and working as chief editor. And somewhere in the middle of all this, a great writer steps forward.

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Noomi Rapace

Acknowledged actress

Noomi Rapace

In the original movies based on the Millennium trilogy, Lisbeth Salander is played by Swedish actress Noomi Rapace. Noomi is a well acknowledged actress with fifteen years of experience as an actress.

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Life companion

Eva Gabrielsson

In this interview by the Swedish national televsision, Stieg Larsson's life companion Eva Gabrielsson reveals the truth behind the man that was Stieg Larsson. She discusses her claims in the controversy surrounding Stieg's legacy as well as her claims for a part of the royalty.

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Personal background

A life under constant threat

During the last 15 years of his life, he and his life companion Eva Gabrielsson lived under constant threat from right-wing violence. He regarded his writing of detective novels as relaxing. Keeping track of loose ends, characters and made up conspiracies posedno problem since it was, after all, fiction.

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Millennium Stockholm Map

Millennium Stockholm Map

Get to know Stieg Larsson's Stockholm

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The trilogy

Millennium trilogy

Stieg Larsson had always been interested in detective novels, and he was very familiar the works of Elizabeth George and Minette Walters. He knew what ingredients a good detective story should have, and he even reluctantly decided to spice it up with a bit of sex as it would probably please his readers.

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Discussion

Discussion boards

Stieglarsson.com features a huge forum filled with ongoing discussions on our beloved writer.

Is your prime interest the movies being made? Or are you a huge fan of Lisbeth Salander?

Take a look and join the discussion!

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