The presenter of “My truth” regarding the sensitive moments, the coffee break and the celebrity who always refuses
Published 2024-02-25 09.45
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Anna Hedenmo makes the guests tell the most difficult thing: their truth.
She herself would not want to be interviewed in the same way.
– No, that’s not what I’m longing for, I’m not that interested in telling. But I have done a summer program that was partly regarding personal things, she says.
For ten years, the presenter has Anna Hedenmo, 62, sat in the armchair in the TV box. Opposite her is always a well-known guest. The questions are not always easy to answer, they come very close.
How do you get your guests to open up?
– We prepare the guest carefully so that whoever comes to “My truth” understands what is expected. There is no need to trick or persuade anyone – you have to want to tell. Even when sensitive matters are brought up, the guest is always well prepared for it, motivated and has thought it through properly. The guests always know which themes are involved, if they are sensitive.
– It is also important that you can talk regarding yourself, that you are a fairly good storyteller, that you can see yourself somewhat from the outside, self-reflect, and can put your experiences into words.
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full screen Anna Hedenmo Photo: Janne Danielsson /SVT
That’s why they take a coffee break in “My truth”
Anna Hedenmo also believes that the fact that she worked at SVT for 30 years and during that time led news broadcasts, election programs and “Agenda” plays a big role.
– I am probably perceived as trustworthy and I think that also has a meaning in the meeting with me. That you might feel safe with me and can trust me. Then you probably can’t mistake my interest in the person in front of me.
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full screen Anna Hedenmo Photo: Janne Danielsson /SVT
After all, there is always a coffee break, what significance does it have for the guest being interviewed?
– I think it is a break that is sometimes important for the person being interviewed. If it has been very sensitive, for example like the interview with the photographer Elisabeth Olsson. She has terminal cancer and we talked regarding it right before the break. Then it was very nice for both her and me to take a little break.
– Most guests are also quite tense at the beginning. It can be nice to have a coffee break. We usually say that the shoulders drop a little following the break.
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full screen Anna Hedenmo with reality star and Hollywood wife Maria Montazami. Photo: Torbjörn Haag/SVT
Had to cancel the recording
Which answer has surprised you the most over the years?
– I have been surprised a few times by the guest’s strong emotions when we have talked regarding difficult experiences in life. When Sara Skyttedal told regarding her abortion, when Bianca Kronlöf described a previous relationship with sexual violence, or when Maria Montazami put into words his lifelong longing for the father who disappeared. On some of these occasions, we have had to interrupt the recording for a while so that the guest can dry his tears in peace and quiet without cameras.
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full screenAnna Hedenmo. Photo: Magnus Wennman
He always refuses
A number of famous people have sat in the armchair opposite Anna Hedenmo, but there is one who declines every invitation.
– We have invited Göran Persson time and time once more. He absolutely does not want to come. He doesn’t want to talk regarding private life. You really have to respect that. We don’t want someone there who doesn’t want to be there, but we would like him to change his mind. It is such a guest that it would be fun to have.
What do you watch yourself on TV?
– Apart from news programs and all other programs that monitor society and politics, films regarding real people’s lives are the best I know. Pure documentaries or dramatized, I like both kinds. Recently I saw the movie regarding the conductor and composer Leonard Bernstein, “Maestro”, it was absolutely amazing.
– I think people’s lives are the most exciting thing there is. Everyone’s life is interesting, it just needs to be told in a compelling way.
“My truth” is broadcast on Sundays at 20.00 on SVT and SVT Play.
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full screen Anna Hedenmo and Sunday’s guest journalist Staffan Heimerson. Photo: Peter Bergström/SVTFAKTA
Anna Hedenmo
Age: 62.
Lives: Stockholm.
Family: Two daughters, two grandchildren and the miniature schnauzer August.
Occupation: Journalist, presenter.
Current: Program manager for Min sanning in SVT, this spring also as program manager for “Agenda” and will soon start working as program manager for debate programs before the EU elections in early June.
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