Fredrik “Benke” Rydman wanted to bring freedom and crazy, unexpected moves to the stage. Finland’s performance is considered original. It gets people dancing.
The show by Finnish Eurovision nominee Käärijän has received much praise. It has even been described as iconic. Part of the magic of the show is that anyone can, for example, imitate the hand movements of the dance.
– I am proud of the performance because it is original. We have created something unique. I am happy about that.
– I hope Finland wins,” Rydman laughs.
You have to fit everything into three minutes
Fredrik Rydman, 48, started out as a dancer. He has also been a judge of a TV dance competition. About 15 years ago, he started working as a director and choreographer.
For the past two years, he has worked as a UMK instructor.
The control of Eurovision differs from others, because the song can only be three minutes long. You can’t build a story for a long time, but you still have to find certain things in the show.
– There has to be a beginning, a middle and an end, says Rydman.
According to Rydman, Käärijä’s song immediately sounded special. He thinks the song kind of has two vocals: an aggressive one and then another one that’s happy and crazy.
– It was challenging and interesting to work with the show. The show had to make a conflict between these two different sides.
The contradiction can be found precisely in the piggy train and other funny things. Even though Käärijä’s *Cha Cha cha* is presented in Finnish, people enjoy it.
– It makes them feel a certain way. Everyone can make their own story about it.
Wrappers took on crazy ideas
The show has two themes: freedom and unexpectedness. Rydman says that he brought crazy ideas, which were well received by Käärijä.
– The wrapper is an artist who is not afraid. I appreciate working with people like him. I’ve been trying to dig into his DNA.