“Will, ever since he first saw Eurovision back in the ’90s, he was like, “Wow. All Rights Reserved. He flashes a wink at Sigrit; she’s flattered, but resists. Will Ferrell, Rachel McAdams and Dan Stevens star as pop performers in Netflix's campy new "Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga." By signing up you are agreeing to our, The Life Ahead Brings Sofia Loren Back to the Screen in a Tearjerker That Fully Earns Its Tears. Nobody did. It’s unfortunately not entirely surprising, The “home for the holidays” Christmas rom-com is getting a much needed revamp this year. Ferrell and Rachel McAdams star as Lars Erickssong and Sigrit Ericksdottir, two Icelandic misfits with hearty voices and a big dream: to enter, and possibly win, the Eurovision Song Contest, the televised international songwriting competition that draws a huge audience in many parts of the world, if not the U.S. Dan Stevens can sing but that doesn't mean it is his voice in "Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga". In the movie, headlined by Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams, Stevens plays Alexander Lemtov, an outlandish Russian singer who seems to have a Eurovision win in the bag, but there’s a lot more going on under the surface of his story, as ‘Mother Russia’ has only allowed him the level of freedom and success he’s achieved so far at the cost of hiding his true identity. I guess that is his tragedy, and that’s what I thought made him such a well-rounded character, rather than just making him all-out absurd. As Lemtov, Stevens is so absurdly lascivious that he supercharges the movie every time he shows up, which, thankfully, is often. The 2020 Academy Awards marked yet another year in which women were left out of the Best Director category. No one familiar with Dan Stevens’ past performances in the likes of 2014’s The Guest or FX’s Legion doubted that the actor would give his all playing a larger than life pop sensation in Netflix’s Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga, but he still managed to be the focus of much of the online chatter from viewers who streamed the film after it landed this June. The internet is obsessed with Dan Stevens's character in Netflix's Eurovision Song Contest: The Story Of Fire Saga and, honestly, can you blame them? On 6th November, If you enjoy romantic comedies with a Christmas theme then you’re in luck, Cheesy Festive Rom-Com season is officially underway, and Netflix just dro, After an industry-wide shut down in response to the global pandemic forced a number of television shows and films to temporarily stall their work, most pro, The recent Robert Zemeckis-directed adaptation of The Witches, starring Anne Hathaway as the Grand High Witch, received backlash from many in the disabled. A blending technique was, Steven explains that he was "singing onstage to Eric’s track" when they were shooting the film, "and I think the plan was for me to go into the booth and sing it, but then the world got turned upside down." In his faux-Russian accent, as ornate as an imperial samovar, he promises her many riches—“mansions, palaces, wi-fi in every room”—and still, Sigrit sticks with Lars. How people live their public persona versus their private persona — there are still, to this day, in a lot of cultures, performers who live with that conflict.”. Kirsten Howard | To fans of Disney's live-action remake of, In an interview with Vulture, Stevens explained that the original plan was for his vocals to be mixed with Swedish singer Eric Mjönes. Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga is streaming now on Netflix. In a vampire dandy’s flash of brocade and velvet, Dan Stevens (perhaps best known as the ill-fated Matthew Crawley in the early seasons of Downton Abbey) shows up as conceited hottie billionaire Russian crooner Alexander Lemtov. Save on the cover price & free e-Gift card for Giftees! I think David Dobkin had been a fan [of mine] for a little while, and then Beauty and the Beast came out, and they realized I was into singing.”. For a lot of countries, it’s one of the rare opportunities that they get to see that shown on a stage, and they get to celebrate it,” he said. When the duo finally make it to the Eurovision stage for the finals, Sigrit learns that Lars, who designs the pair’s costumes, has lengthened her scarf by a few dangerous feet; she comes close to meeting an Isadora Duncan–style end, and though director David Dobkin stresses the gag’s exaggerated slapstick proportions, it’s still not funny. Through a few chance twists, Lars and Sigrit—supposedly terrible singers, though they don’t sound so bad—get a shot at the big prize. Still, Lemtov’s ludicrously sexual Eurovision track ‘Lion of Love’ gave Stevens a lot of insight into the character. Dan Stevens hits the stage in a scene from “Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga.” John Wilson/NETFLIX Filed under dan stevens , eurovision , movie reviews , rachel mcadams , … I think if you look back at performers here back in the ‘80s, a lot of people didn’t think George Michael was gay. They have a huge following in that community in Europe, and around the world. Even in America, I think, it’s known for that. In fact, this movie so freaky that even th. John Wilson/NETFLIX—© 2020 Netflix, Inc. Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga Has One Winner, and It’s Not the Movie’s Leads ... Dan Stevens as Alexander Lemtov. And that’s something that’s really, really celebrated. He was out there performing, and nobody was questioning that, especially in England. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our. Megan Is Missing, a 2011 horror film, is randomly trending on TikTok, and almost everyone regrets pressing play. Dan Stevens' character Alexander Lemtov has stolen the hearts of many in Netflix's Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga By Kirsten Howard | … "Eurovision: The Story of Fire Saga" features some genuinely catchy songs—but some Netflix viewers have questioned whether Rachel McAdams, Will Ferrell, and Dan Stevens are actually singing them. And then they decided to revisit it. Sign up to receive the top stories you need to know now on politics, health and more, © 2020 TIME USA, LLC. Stevens also notes that the contest itself has long been a fixture not only in Europe, but in the LGBTQ calendar, and while Lemtov’s magnetic personality and performance is at the enviable centre of the annual event, he continues to be in turmoil. And so he got together with some old SNL buddies, and they wrote this hilarious script. “The other thing to note is how important the song contest is to the LGBTQ community. A character like Lemtov in his own country, very few people would have questioned his sexuality. Even though the hyperbolic mismatch between the gentle, charming Sigrit and the bumbling Lars is clearly part of the gag, it’s still nearly impossible to have any emotional investment in these two. Vote Now, Donald Trump Promised to End the 'Forever Wars.' There’s also a goofy subplot involving Lars’ refusal to acknowledge Sigrit’s longing for him. “I think they’ve been talking about it for years,” he said. The first trailer for Clea Duvall’s Happiest Season has dro, Following recent developments in his legal issues with Amber Heard and The Sun, Johnny Depp is exiting the Fantastic Beasts film franchise. Dan Stevens' character Alexander Lemtov has stolen the hearts of many in Netflix's Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga. There’s sort of this sad kind of inner conflict: On the exterior, he’s this wild, bombastic performer, but he’s not actually able to live out his truth. Instead, He's Leaving Thousands of Troops and Allies Behind, You can unsubscribe at any time. The Best Netflix Movies Based On True Stories, It’s Official: Women Made All The Best Movies Of The Year. However, should any fans start a petition for a Stevens cut of the. Oddly Enough, Netflix’s Newest Holiday Rom-Com Is Kinda Bas... You Won’t Be Seeing Harry Styles & The Cast Of, Eurovision Song Contest: The Story Of Fire Saga, how Rachel McAdams become the film's golden-voiced Sigrit, Russian contestants of Eurovision past like Philipp Kirkorov. Due to the coronavirus lockdown, Stevens, like everyone else, was, "Eric’s singing style is so perfect for the song," he told Vulture of Mjönes's voice, which sounds similar to, The internet clearly is, too. Obviously, Lemtov is torn because he comes from a culture that doesn’t allow him to acknowledge that. Forget comedy superstars; supporting players are the comedy gods’ true gift to us, especially in the Will Ferrell vehicle Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga. Stevens says he came aboard the project late in the day in a new interview with Vulture. Who Should Be TIME’s Person of the Year for 2020? Dan Stevens stars in Netflix's wacky new film Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga, and to say he steals the show would be an understatement.The actor stars … “I could immediately see the kind of character that he was, and then we looked more into that style of performer. @emotionalpedant, Kirsten Howard has been a news editor and social manager at Den of Geek UK since 2016, Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga, Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga Review: An Over-Long Pastiche That Misses the Mark, The Eurovision Song Contest: Why it's a Massive Deal in Europe, Eurovision Song Contest: Trailer and Release Date for Will Ferrell Netflix Comedy, The Rental Trailer Throws Scares at Alison Brie and Dan Stevens, Nintendo Holiday Gift Guide: Best Consoles and Games to Buy, Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Best Easter Eggs That You May Have Missed, Pinky and the Brain: The Touching Story Behind the Strangest Animaniacs Episode, Dan Stevens on His Eurovision Song Contest Character Alexander Lemtov. During rehearsals, Lemtov takes the stage for his pyrotechnic-heavy number, “Lion of Love,” prowling the stage like a zoo cat in heat. Her loss. “It’s a kind of safe haven for a lot of people in that sense. But wait—second banana to the rescue! Innocent gazelles everywhere, look out. It just looked like so much fun.”. The Trailer For Kristen Stewart & Mackenzie Davis’ Lesbian Christ... Everyone You Kinda Sorta Recognize In Netflix’s. Is Dan Stevens Singing In Eurovision Netflix Movie? The actor explained that he was supposed to have his voice blended with Swedish singer Eric Mjönes’ before the film was released, “but then the world got turned upside down” and it didn’t happen. Then they’re derailed by one mishap after another: in a routine that requires them to appear airborne, Lars’ harness breaks and he crashes to the ground—hilarious! “There are no gay people in Russia,” Lemtov asserts, echoing the disturbing words of real-life Chechen president Ramzan Kadyrov back in 2017. Lemtov is not particularly alien to the Eurovision style, that sort of pop/operatic style, incredibly bombastic, very sort of sexualized staging. Someone should make a movie about this.” But he always assumed that someone else would.