Eddie Redmayne: The Danish Girl was 'an extraordinary experience'

Oscar-winner Eddie Redmayne has described making his new film, The Danish Girl, as “an extraordinary experience.” In the movie, which receives its North American premiere at the forthcoming Toronto International Film Festival, the British actor portrays artist Lili Elbe, who was assigned male at birth in 1882 and transitioned to female in the 1920s.

“It was an extraordinary experience and it’s continuing to be,” Redmayne told EW. “You sort of learn something every day, really. It’s a very delicate and intricate piece. I had an extraordinary time making it.”

Redmayne also spoke about the fact that the subject of transitioning has gained such cultural prominence in the time since the actor started prepping for the project, which is directed by Les Misérables filmmaker Tom Hooper.

“It is interesting, that,” said Redmayne. “I was sent the script by Tom when I was doing Les Misérables, and the project had been long-gestating. There has been this amazing sort of surge in the past year of visibility and discussion. It was an amazing thing to be working on while in the context of that.”

The Danish Girl opens in New York and Los Angeles on Nov. 27, and will expand to additional cities in December. Watch the trailer below.

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