Susanne Bier, the Danish director behind In a Better World, has long been a voice that resonates in cinema circles. In conversations about surviving in this industry, she has often been quoted as saying that success isn’t the sole destination; it’s about staying true to craft and process. The 2011 Oscar winner for the film in question has worked with a roster of Hollywood luminaries, including Nicole Kidman, Benicio del Toro, Halle Berry, and Sandra Bullock, shaping a career built on strong collaborations and fearless storytelling.
This past Tuesday, Bier received an honorary award at the closing gala of the Evolution Mallorca International Film Festival. Mallorca isn’t new to her—she shot episodes of The Night Manager there in 2015, starring Hugh Laurie and Elizabeth Debicki. She recalled working with an incredibly capable local film crew and shared a memorable anecdote about insisting on filming at a remarkable restaurant in Deià, Ca’s Patró Walk. Despite concerns about the logistics of bringing that many trailers, Bier’s determination paid off, underscoring her commitment to authentic locations and a collaborative atmosphere.
During the conference, she reflected on her early entry into cinema through the Dogma movement, noting how its core tenets continue to influence her approach. As a director, she maintains a structured framework for each project, even when the rules aren’t explicit. She referenced Open Hearts, a project made with fellow Danish artist Mads Mikkelsen, who attended Evolution on the weekend. Bier joked about the complexity of her public image, praising the actor’s generosity and humility while acknowledging his charisma. She contrasted the atmosphere on smaller Danish productions, where meals and conversations flowed naturally with actors, against the hustle of large American productions where such camaraderie can fade.
Susanne Bier has built a resume marked by versatility and ambition. Her body of work spans genres and tones, including the tension-filled thrillers and intimate dramas that have earned international attention. She has consistently trusted her instincts and creative energy, a stance she described as fearless in the company of stars and crews alike. The process, she explained, involves a dynamic exchange with performers, whether well-known or relatively new to the screen, and a belief in the power of every character to drive the story forward. Her candidness about the on-set dynamic—sometimes met with surprise, sometimes with laughter—highlights a director who values truth and vitality in every scene.
Her first U.S. feature, Things We Lost in the Fire, followed on the momentum from the Oscar nomination for After the Wedding. The project drew the attention of Sam Mendes’ production network, and Bier emphasized that opportunities often arise not from a fixed plan but from a readiness to pursue what feels compelling. She described her career as an ascent fueled by curiosity and a willingness to tackle challenging material, a mindset that has led her toward both psychological thrillers and emotionally resonant dramas. Her foray into genres beyond her initial scope—such as the horror-adjacent themes found in In the Blind or The Night Manager’s espionage mood—reflects a director who continually expands her horizons without losing the core human focus of her storytelling.
The conversation also hinted at Bier’s ongoing collaboration with major talent and networks. Looking ahead, she signaled a forthcoming Netflix project, The Perfect Couple, featuring Kidman again alongside other high-profile names like Dakota Fanning. The production timeline was affected by the lingering impact of a Hollywood strike, reminding readers that even celebrated creators must navigate industry-wide pauses and delays while maintaining momentum and vision.