The Next Best Picture Podcast Interview With "The Ugly Stepsister" Hair & Makeup Team
Jan 15, 2026
Thomas Foldberg, a prosthetic makeup effects designer known for his practical creature effects, and Anne Catherine Sauerberg, a hair and makeup designer with a knack for character looks, dive into the creative process behind 'The Ugly Stepsister.' They share their excitement about the film's Oscar shortlist and discuss the challenges of balancing beauty with body horror. With insights on creating stylized gore and relatable characters, they emphasize the importance of empathy in design. Their collaborative approach and innovative techniques bring a fresh perspective to Nordic genre filmmaking.
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Ambitious Vision Attracts Creative Risk
- Emilie Blichfeldt's script felt like a brilliant fresh take on Cinderella and sparked immediate creative excitement.
- Thomas Foldberg initially worried the ambitious effects might be cut for budget but found the director committed to the full vision.
Preparation Enables Collaborative Boldness
- Anne Catherine Sauerberg joined later and found Emilie's mood boards and preparation extremely inspiring.
- She highlights Emilie's openness to the team's additions and collaborative process.
Nordic Filmmakers Embrace Folklore
- Nordic cinema historically favors crime and realism, but a new generation is embracing horror, fantasy, and folklore.
- Thomas sees mermaids and other folkloric elements rising in Scandinavian genre filmmaking.