[http://www.vg.no/pub/vgart.hbs?artid=22939] 

THE THIRTEENTH WARRIOR:
Banderas brags about his new Norwegian friend: "Dennis can become a star" 

by AUD BERGGREN

LOS ANGELES (VG) - "I will always have Dennis in my heart, says Antonio
Banderas. Norwegian Dennis Storhoi and the Spanish Hollwood star became
friends during the shooting of the viking film "the Thirteenth Warrier". 

"Dennis is every director's dream, and if his luck holds out, he can become
a star," says Antonio. 

He knows from his own experience that it requires not only talent, but a
good deal of luck. When he started in the USA, Antonio could not speak a
word of English, but learned his lines in "Mambo Kings" phonetically. 

Antonio has since then not become a self-centered star. He describes his
Norwegian colleage as generous and intelligent, and with a wonderful sense
of humor which makes him see life in a unique way, which Antonio admires. 

"But the most fundamental thing about Dennis is his loyalty and great gift
for friendship." 

And as an actor? 

"Dennis brings with himself so many qualities which he also has as a
person, that I can not distinguish the actor from the person. He is
intuitive, creative, courageous, spontaneous, and has moreover a fantastic
sense of rhythm. It was a pleasure to work with him." 

Antonio means every word, and the admiration is reciprocated: 

"Antonio is an unbelievably energetic person! A gentle latin with a warm
disposition and warm eyes. He is outgoing and charismatic, and he is
extremely generous as a person and as an actor," says Dennis. 

The two have become close during the filming and shared among other things
a passionate interest in football (soccer), as the following episode
demonstrates: 

When Rosenborg led 1 to 0 against Real Madrid in the Champions League,
Dennis called Banderas in Los Angeles. While they were speaking,Rosenborg
went ahead 2 to 0, and Storhøi won a sweet victory over his rival, who had
bet him that the team would lose to Madrid by 1 to 4 earlier in the series.


Hard Job 

So the Norwegian and the Spaniard have finished shooting the last scene
outside Los Angeles during the summer's worst heat wave. 

"Antonio and I are willing to give everything in order that the film be as
good as possible," says Dennis. 

"The Thirteenth Warrier", which is the new name of the former "Eaters of
the Dead", is expected to come out around the new year, and become one of
Disney's most expensive films. The director is the well-known John
McTiernan, who soon will begin on a new film with Pierce Brosnan and Rene
Russo. 

"It is a fantastic experience to have worked with him on such a huge epic,
but it is also the hardest job I have ever had," says Dennis. 

He hopes to get the opportunity to participate in the launching of the film
in the USA. Since the filming started over a year ago, he has been on leave
from the Oslo New Theater. 

Zorro Premiere 

Antonio Banderas' newest film, "The Mask of Zorro," has just had its USA
premiere with very good reviews. He has just finished with "Crazy in
Alabama," which he filmed with his wife, Melanie Griffith. The film is also
his debut as a director. Next he will realize his great dream -- to film
Phantom of the Opera. 

Dennis was present with his wife, Mona, during the Los Angeles opening.
They celebrated their one year wedding anniversary, and VG congratulated
Dennis on his 38th birthday on July 15. 

"I can indeed think: old man, you have gotten so crazy! But one can indeed
not just act Ibsen and Strindberg the whole time, either!" 

In one scene, Dennis and Antonio hang from cables 30 meters above the
ground. 

"That is high! The person I am playing, Herger, must be tough, and Antonio
must be rescued. So I said to him: have you any problem with being rescued
now?" laughs Dennis. 

He and Mona have just bought a farm in Sweden, a half hour from Halden. It
is good place with a play area also for the two children Dennis has from
his first marraige. 

Have you thought about having children together? 

"Yes, we have thought about it, but we must do a little more than that,"
laughs Mona. 

The pair have taken out a loan to finance the farm, which both have signed
for. 

So you didn't get rich on this film? 

"I am a nobody i American film," It is a learning experience. Although I
have 14 years of experience in Norway, it means nothing here. Antonio was
in the same situation when he made "Mambo Kings," says Dennis Storhøi to
VG.