Reykjavík Grapevine - 03.12.2004, Side 27

Rúnar Rúnarsson holds the distinction of being co-creator
with Grímur Hákonarsson of one of the first Icelandic films
to be screened at a Nordisk Panorama festival in Bergen 1995
with Toilet Culture. He has directed documentaries such as
Leitin að Rajeev, or Searching for Rajeev, with Birta
Fróðadóttir in 2002 and his short film, The Last Farm,
won the Nordic Panorama festival’s Best Film, the
Best Short Film awarde and the Fipresci Jurys
Diploma at the Kiev International Film
Festival and an Icelandic Edda for
Best Short.
FROM TOILET CULTURE
TO THE LAST FARM
He is of the opinion that “it’s hard to evolve from first chance.
Young filmmakers who get the opportunity to screen their films
often find it hard to evolve into the larger marketplace.” Finding
funding for shorts is especially difficult, Rúnar notes, adding
“if you can’t make a short film to display your talents, you can’t
make a feature.” In his opinion, short films are a springboard
for first-time director, and as such should be encouraged by
national and private funding. “The Icelandic Film Fund is now
dedicating 40% of their budget to shorts, which is a posititve
development,” though, he says, he’d like to see even more.
Short films are getting more recognition as an art form, he feels,
and should be more strongly supported.
Rúnar is currently located in Copenhagen. When asked
how that affects his artistry, he wryly notes that “I’m such a
slacker that it’s good to be away from all my slacker friends
in Reykjavík. Otherwise I’d be sitting at coffeehouses all day
smoking cigarettes,” then laughs. For Rúnar, the films he makes
are stories that he wants to tell, that move him. He feels that
they are both uniquely Icelandic as well as international. “My
country reflects in the stories I tell, but I’d like them to have a
global context. The Last Farm is an Icelandic film, taking place
in a rural Icelandic setting, but when you’re telling a simple love
story like this, the stage doesn’t really matter.”

Keep your eyes open for screenings of The Last Farm, or check out
www.thelastfarm.blogspot.com
by Maria Alva Roff
LISTINGS : december 3 - january 13MOVIES :
Hverfisgata 54
Phone: 551-9000
www.regnboginn.is
PREMIERS:
02 dec. Seed of Chucky
09 dec. Paparazzi
26. dec. Í takt við tímann
Still running:
Christmas with the Kranks
Bad Santa
Laugarás
Phone: 553-2075
www.laugarasbio.is
PREMIERS:
10 dec. Saw
17 dec. Bright and Prejudist
26 dec. Blade 2
26 dec. Í takt við tímann
26 dec. Búi og Símon (dubbed)
Still running:
Bridget Jones 2,
After the Sunset
Kapteinn skögultönn (dubbed)
Álfabakka 8
Phone: 587-8900
www.sambio.is
PREMIERS:
10 dec. Surviving Christmas
17 dec. Ocean’s Twelve
26 dec. The Incredibles
31 dec. National Treasure
07 jan. Alfie
Still running:
Polar Express ,Bridget Jones 2,
Without a Paddle, Open Water,
Mindhunters, The Grudge
Cinderella Story
Kringlan 4-6
Phone: 588-0800
www.sambio.is
PREMIERS:
10 dec. Surviving Christmas
17 dec. Ocean’s Twelve
26 dec. The Incredibles
31 dec. National Treasure
07 jan. Alfie
Still running:
Polar Express
Without a Paddle
The Grudge
Shark Tale (dubbed)
Smáralind
Phone: 564-0000
www.smarabio.is
PREMIERS:
02 dec. Seed of Chucky
09 dec. Paparazzi
26. dec. Í takt við tímann
Still running:
Christmas with the Kranks
Bad Santa
Hagatorg
Phone: 530-1919
www.haskolabio.is
PREMIERS:
03 dec. The Polar Express
17 dec. Ocean’s Twelve
24 dec. The Aviator
26 dec. The Incredibles
Still running:
Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason,
Open Water, Ladder 49, Shall We
Dance, Kops, Vivement Dimanche
–Loksins, Le Poulpe – Kolkrabbinn
Screenings start roughly every two hours, at 18, 20 and 22. However, with films getting
ever longer, starting times may vary. There are usually ads and trailers for roughly 15
minutes from announced starting time. Almost all films have a short intermission. The
still running films may not precice, the premiers are usually correct.
Look no further for:
Comic Books
Graphic Novels
Manga / Anime
Action Figures
Sci-Fi / Fantasy Paperbacks
Collectible Card Games
Warhammer
Role-Playing Games
and more...
NEXUS
Hverfisgata 103 (near bus station Hlemmur)
Open mon-sat 12 to 19:30, sun 13-18.
Phones 552 9011 - 552 9012
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