Swedish author [Astrid Lindgren] told him when he was about to direct "Barnen i Bullerbyn", based on her novel, that: "I will try not to like
you, because all the directors I like end up dead". She referred to Tage Danielsson and Olle Hellbom.
He and Lena Olin are the first Swedish Oscar-nominated married couple.
Directed 4 performers to Academy Award nominations: Leonardo DiCaprio, Michael Caine, Juliette Binoche and Judi Dench; Caine won for The Cider House Rules.