Erik Clausen

Danish artist, musician, actor and director, b. 1942. In the late 60's Clausen began collaborating with Leif Sylvester Petersen making political street theater and variety, leading to working with Røde Mor. In the late 70's Clausen started directing films oftens with himself in the leading role and has continued to do so until the present, leaving the music behind. His film mostly shows a socialist, nostalgic fascination of modern society outcasts, the oldschool working class with ideals of the 50's and 60's, cirkus-artists, hustlers or convicts. He has worked as a painter, street entertainer, film director, actor, and author of a great number of manuscripts. Some of his greatest success was ”De frigjorte” ("Liberated”), and he has directed and written the manuscript of the epic feature film entitled "Min Fynske Barndom” ("My Childhood Symphony”), based on the life of Carl Nielsen. He epitomises the Danish national character, and is famous throughout Denmark for films such as "Cirkus Casablanca” (1981), "Felix” (1982), "Rocking Silver” (1983), and "Manden i månen” (The Man in the Moon”) (1989). In addition, he was one of the main driving forces behind "Midt on natten” ("In the Middle of the Night”) (1984) and "Den store badedag” ("The Great Day at the Beach”) (1991).