Breaking Boundaries: Christoffer Boe Revolutionizes Crime Drama in Face To Face

Summary

"Face to Face" is a Danish crime series known for its unique format, with each episode consisting of a one-on-one interrogation in the pursuit of solving a brutal murder.

The series showcases stunning cinematography, committed performances, and compelling writing that captivates viewers with its unpredictable storyline.

"Face to Face," brought to life by Christoffer Boe as both creator and director, offers a standalone season designed to appeal to newcomers, providing an effortless introduction to Viaplay.

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Face to Face, also known as Forhøret, is an exciting Danish crime series that will soon be available in the US on the streaming service Viaplay. What sets this show apart from the typical crime procedurals in the US is its unique format. In each episode, we witness an intense one-on-one interrogation as the protagonist delves into a brutal murder case, leaving no stone unturned. With its stunning cinematography, captivating performances, and a script that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats, this eight-episode series is a must-watch.

Created, directed, and co-written by the acclaimed filmmaker Christoffer Boe, who won the prestigious Camera d'Or at Cannes for his debut film, Face to Face is his vision of a crime show without any unnecessary fluff. Each episode gets straight to the point, captivating the audience from the start. Moreover, Boe made sure that the third season of Face to Face, which is the most recent one, can stand on its own and welcome new viewers. It serves as a perfect entry point for anyone new to Viaplay.

Christoffer Boe On Face To Face

Screen Rant: I love the structure of this show. I've never seen anything quite like it. I'm a fan. Where did the idea come from?

Christoffer Boe's idea is to create a show centered around a single intense meeting between two characters. He noticed that in other TV shows, there is often a need to include scenes that serve as setups for future events, even if they are not ideal. Boe wanted to eliminate unnecessary elements and focus solely on the interaction between the characters, while also incorporating a mystery case as a backdrop. In his show, the main themes are parents, secrets, and various other elements, all while the characters work to solve a mystery.

Each episode almost resembles a play due to its heavy reliance on dialogue and emphasis on performances. Did this pose a greater challenge in terms of casting compared to your other shows? I can imagine the workload was overwhelming.

Christoffer Boe: Absolutely, our approach puts a lot of pressure on the actors, and I believe that's why they enjoy it. Fortunately, I had the incredible opportunity to work with the best actors in Denmark and Scandinavia. Every single episode features A-list actors, and part of the reason is that the format is so condensed, allowing them to dedicate a week to the project. It doesn't require the same level of commitment as a full TV series or even a regular episode. We were able to shoot efficiently and maintain concise storytelling. Additionally, I made sure to avoid any resemblance to a stage play or the stagnant feeling often associated with old David Mamet movies, despite their beautiful writing.

But I believe that one of the motivations for the actors was the sense of nostalgia it brought them, as if they were back on stage. By keeping the content uncut, it allows for a continuous flow of scenes and the ability to fully immerse oneself in the performance. This approach adds a different dynamic to the smaller interactions, as opposed to breaking them up into separate scenes. On the last day of shooting for some episodes, we would have complete run-throughs of the entire episode, which could last around 30 to 35 minutes. It was like a marathon, both physically exhausting and emotionally fulfilling. I think this is one of the factors that inspired the actors to embrace this format.

I understand that this third season stands alone, with each episode being unique and distinct in its own way. Is there a challenge, as either a writer or director, to ensure that the overall narrative doesn't feel too disjointed?

Christoffer Boe aimed to make each season of the show a self-contained story, while still connected to the overarching mystery. The dialogue in seasons one and two primarily revolves around the husband and wife's connection to their deceased daughter. One challenge is ensuring the main character is personally involved in each episode. Typically, in detective stories, the protagonist solves cases unrelated to their personal life. However, in this show, it's important for the main character, Holger, to be personally engaged in conversations, even if he doesn't know the person. This requires finding ways to connect him to each episode and the main suspect he interrogates or meets face-to-face, using various tricks and angles.

Some directors are known for their focus on an actor's performance, while others prioritize the camera work. Do you have a preference between the two?

Christoffer Boe: This project is heavily influenced by the characters and actors, with dialogue playing a significant role. The technical aspects are merely a means to make everything come together and enhance the dialogue. When writing the final scripts, I specifically envision certain actors in the roles. However, there may be situations where another actor ends up taking the part. In those cases, I ensure that the final shooting script is tailored to fit that particular actor's strengths and style.

There is a strong emphasis on ensuring that the characters interact seamlessly with the dialogue and the overall scenery. However, without some form of visual appeal, particularly in a dialogue-heavy series like this, it runs the risk of becoming dull. Therefore, it is crucial to strike a balance between captivating visuals and the exceptional character performances by the actors. Without this synergy, the project may fail to captivate the audience, as there are no other elements to compensate for any shortcomings. Unlike traditional TV series, where editing and various tricks can be utilized, our only focus is on the actors themselves. If their performances are lacking, it poses a significant problem.

Given the actor-driven and script-driven nature of the production, as both the director and head writer, do you find it necessary to switch off your writing mindset while directing? Is there a temptation to make revisions on the spot?

Christoffer Boe: We frequently rewrite, but there is a limit. The main actor already has so many scripts in mind that rewriting too much would drive them insane. They struggle to keep track, so they would ask me to stop adding more lines. However, there are times when they come to set and suggest their own dialogue ideas that they had been thinking about the previous night. In those cases, I am willing to accommodate their suggestions, as long as it aligns with the right direction and the emotional impact is preserved. The specific choice of words can be flexible. My ultimate goal is to make the dialogue feel as natural as possible, despite the inherently unnatural nature of Face to Face. Regarding this season, is there anything you feel was successfully achieved, a goal that was built up to, or something that was left undone in the previous two seasons?

Christoffer Boe reflects on the unique challenge of working on a third season, something he has not done before. Unlike his previous TV shows and movies, each new season of this project introduces new directors of photography (DOPs) and features different main characters. This fresh and exciting dynamic brings a sense of novelty to the production, but Boe has also gained valuable experience in consistently working with the same format for three seasons. This has allowed them to be more free in their approach.

When examining the evolution of the series, Boe notes that in the first season, they adhered strictly to self-imposed dogmas regarding episode structure, such as using the same location throughout and maintaining a continuous timeline. However, as they progressed, they realized that deviating from these strict rules did not compromise the integrity of the format. In season three, they ventured beyond the initial limitations by incorporating more indoor and outdoor scenes, effectively expanding the scope of possible locations. Boe believes this decision added depth and improved the overall flow of that particular season.

In my opinion, watching this show felt incredibly unique, especially in comparison to the shows I typically watch in the US. If you had known that Face to Face would be airing on a US-based platform, would you have made any changes in its structure or writing?

Christoffer Boe: I'm not sure. I might have made it in English. In fact, the original idea for season three was to film it in London. Lars Mikkelsen would still have played the lead role, but he would have interacted with many English actors. Lars Mikkelsen has a great reputation, and there are many people who would have loved to work with him. However, due to various complex reasons, this plan fell through. We had already started scouting locations and I had even written the scripts for London, but everything fell apart. I had to quickly decide whether to scrap this season or find a way to salvage it. The only solution I could find was to bring it back to Copenhagen, which I'm actually very happy about. I think some of the encounters he has and the way we conclude the Face to Face trilogy were very satisfying to me. I'm glad we proceeded with it.

About Face To Face

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Face to Face, an award-winning interrogation drama, is making its way to the US on Viaplay. This groundbreaking psychological thriller redefines the genre with its exceptional performances and stunning cinematography. In the latest standalone season, we follow Holger Lang (portrayed by Mikkelsen), the visionary leader of Lang Enterprises, as he becomes entangled in a chilling mystery. After receiving a mysterious recording, Holger witnesses the horrifying murder of Christina, his protégé and potential successor. Each gripping episode of this innovative series centers around a single high-stakes confrontation as Holger, consumed by fury, races against time to uncover the truth about Christina's killer and their motive. Explore all three seasons of Face to Face, available for streaming now on Viaplay.