Swedish writer and director Michael Axelsson is a self-taught filmmaker who embarked on his journey in the world of cinema with a burning desire to become an actor. His early ambitions led him to a theater school in Sweden. At the same time, he wrote and directed some action short films so he could act in them. Michael also trained at a Swedish-American stunt school and practiced martial arts for 12 years to further demonstrate his passion and dedication to the craft of action.
While pursuing acting, Michael discovered an insatiable need to tell his own stories and people in the industry kept telling him to focus on storytelling. So, early in his twenties, he wrote a very personal feature film for which one of Sweden's biggest film companies at the time offered him a large sum of money for it, but it was too personal, and he didn't have the heart to sell it, and declined the offer, three times. He thought once he was ready, he could direct it himself. This marked a turning point in his career as he made the conscious decision to prioritize storytelling and directing. Stepping away from his acting aspirations, he directed his first serious short film—a compelling drama featuring professional actors.
This experience confirmed to him that he was indeed on the right path. Immersing himself in the filmmaking process and fully embracing his role as a storyteller and director had paid off. The positive reception of the film, including its airing on a Swedish television channel, served as validation, leaving no doubt that he was committed to pursuing his chosen path with unwavering determination.
Michael's journey as a filmmaker began with a series of short films produced in Sweden. However, it was his relocation to Bergen, Norway, that truly provided him with the opportunity to turn his passion into a profession. The first film project he wrote and directed with funding in Bergen was the animation 'Last Wedding on Earth,' which can be seen here on the Vidiverse streaming platform.
He had a significant breakthrough when his short film "Odd & Maud (2016)" produced in collaboration with the Norwegian film company Them Girls Film, captivated audiences around the globe. Garnering critical acclaim, the film made its mark at numerous film festivals, accumulating an impressive collection of 38 awards, and with its online presence with nearly 200,000 views on YouTube.
One of the most memorable moments in Michael's journey so far has been his collaboration with the legendary Swedish actor Sven Wollter (known for his roles in international films like The Sacrifice and The 13th Warrior), who starred in Odd & Maud. Sven also approached Michael, offering him the opportunity to write a screenplay based on a book by Swedish author Aino Trosell. This project was intended to mark Sven's final film as an actor after a career spanning over 100 movies and serve as Michael's feature film directorial debut. Tragically, Sven passed away unexpectedly before the project could come to fruition, leaving a profound impact on Michael.
Opportunities continued to arise following the success of 'Odd & Maud.' Michael received an enticing offer from a Hollywood producer to direct a short film as part of a ambitious Hollywood project called 'MIRTH.' Although production was temporarily halted due to global circumstances in 2020, the project's financing remains secured, eagerly awaiting the return of easier travel conditions.
In recent years, Michael has been lucky enough to collaborate with some heavy names from the Hollywood film industry, as well as other interesting people all around. As a screenwriter and dramaturg, he has had the opportunity to work alongside these talented professionals, which has contributed to his growth as a storyteller. These valuable collaborations have equipped him with the skills and confidence to focus on his own upcoming ambitious film projects.
As long as the world doesn't come to a standstill again, or worse, Michael has ambitious plans for the progression of his career. Currently, he has been selected as one of four directors to helm a segment of a 2-hour movie, which features Bill Pullman among its cast.
Currently, he is collaborating with a Danish producer, involved in the planning process of a new short film. Simultaneously, he is crafting an atmospheric sci-fi thriller screenplay, as horror and thriller are his preferred genres, and which holds the potential to serve as his directorial feature film debut.
Filmmaking is a challenging industry, and the outcome of projects receiving the green light is uncertain. However, one thing is certain with Michael – he never gives up.
