SANDPOINT — Heralded actor and community member Viggo Mortensen returns to take the stage Friday at the Panida Theater to host a showing of his film, “Falling.” 

The show, titled “An Evening with Viggo Mortensen,” is the fourth of its kind since 2012 and serves as a fundraiser not only for the theater, but also the Panhandle Community Radio station, KRFY. Not only will Mortensen play the film that he wrote, directed, starred in and composed the soundtrack for, but he’ll host a question-and-answer session before and after the movie. 

“The atmosphere is one of community celebration,” KRFY station manager Suzy Prez said. “It’s casual and he’s very articulate on stage, explaining what the movie is about and prior to the beginning of the movie, a picture of what the movie is about and why he did it.” 

Mortensen will be showing “Falling” a 2020 film which was his directorial debut and focuses on family drama and how families navigate their differences. The movie revolves around Mortensen’s character John, a married gay father who is taking care of his conservative father, Willis, who is battling with dementia. 

A mostly fictional story, Mortensen said in a 2021 interview with United Press International that he did draw on his own life experience when writing the movie, especially seeing his own parents cope through dementia.  

"Because it’s his artistic endeavor, he’s speaking from his own experience in creating it,” Prez said. “It’s kind of like you’re invited to be a part of [it].” 

In a press release from KRFY, Prez noted that the film will help the community build connections and understanding of uncomfortable subjects that everyone faces. 

Mortensen is well-known worldwide, not only for his roles as Aragon in the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, but for roles that earned him Oscar nominations in “Green Book” and “Captain Fantastic.” In addition to his international fame, he’s been a member of the Sandpoint community for over 25 years and has done several stints as a guest DJ on KRFY. 

Prez said that the event is a special fundraiser because of its uniqueness and how fitting it is to both the station and theater’s mission.  

“There are so many different ways to do fundraising, but this really fits into our mission and our mandate,” Prez said. “Of course, the theater is performing arts and that’s what this is all about, it’s a perfect fundraiser.” 

Prez said that the previous two shows have sold out quickly, but that limited tickets are currently for sale on Panida’s website, or they can be purchased at the door Aug. 29, if still available.  

“It’s a wonderful opportunity to support the two organizations and have a wonderful evening with a very creative individual that is very well known in the world and a community member,” Prez said.