Author

Biography

Svend Methling, born in Copenhagen on September 20, 1918, was a Danish director and screenwriter renowned for his popular comedies and his connection to Danish culture.

Son of the famous actor and director Svend Methling, he grew up in an environment related to cinema and theater, developing a passion for the seventh art from an early age.

Before pursuing directing, he studied cinema and gained solid technical knowledge that would influence his future work.

Career

Methling started his career as a sound technician at Palladium, where he worked between 1940 and 1945.

In 1946, he co-directed *Le briquet*, a short animated film based on the story by Hans Christian Andersen, in collaboration with the animator Borge Ring.

This project revealed his interest in literary adaptation and the fantastic. In 1953, he directed his first solo feature film, *Kriminalsagen Tove Andersen*, a film blending suspense and humor.

But it was with the series of films *Soldaterkammeraterne* or *Soldier Comrades*, launched in 1958, that Methling truly made a name for himself.

These comedies, centered around the lives of Danish soldiers, became very popular with the public, ensuring his commercial success. His collaboration with producer Henrik Sandberg was a key factor in this success.

In the 1960s, Methling became a key figure in Danish cinema, directing a series of productions with well-known actors.

At the same time, he began a teaching career at the Danish Film School in 1966 and became a consultant for the Danish Film Institute from 1979 to 1981, which somewhat reduced his film activity.

Legacy

In the 1990s, Methling made a successful return by adapting children's books by Thøger Birkeland, particularly the *Krummerne* series, which appealed to a large young audience.

This return proved his talent for capturing the essence of Danish culture.

Svend Methling passed away on August 7, 2005, in Frederiksberg, leaving a lasting legacy in Danish cinema, where his films, marked by a balance between humor and meaningful storytelling, continue to inspire many filmmakers.

He remains a key figure in popular Danish cinema, celebrated for his ability to tell stories that are both accessible and profound.