Reykjavík Grapevine - 29.06.2007, Blaðsíða 21

RVK_GV_09_007_FILMS/DVDS_54_REYKJAVÍK_GRAPEVINE_ISSUE 09_007_FILMS/DVDS
Text by Sveinn Birkir Björnsson
Perhaps the first Icelandic movie to garner international at-
tention, the Revenge of the Barbarians is set in 10th century
Iceland and tells the story of a young Celt (and very pos-
sibly a Ninja) named Gestur (it is probably important for the
symbolism of the movie to mention that his names translates
to ‘guest’ in English) whose family was murdered by Viking
barbarians somewhere on the shores of Ireland when he
was a child. As a grown up men he heads to Iceland to seek
his revenge. The silent hero is reminiscent of the Clint East-
wood’s characters from Sergio Leone’s spaghetti-westerns.
The movie is a cult favourite among Viking enthusiasts and
I have yet to meet a Swedish person who does not remem-
ber the line ‘Þungur hnífur’ (heavy knife). Directed by Hrafn
Gunnlaugsson, the most notable performance of the movie
is by Sveinn M. Eiðsson.
Based on a novel by Einar Kárason, and inspired by real
persons, the Devil’s Island is set in post WW II Iceland and
evolves around several poor families living in barracks left
by the U.S. Army after the war. I guess in other parts of the
world they would be called ‘trailer trash.’ The story is mostly
focused on a large extended family living under one roof. The
grandson is the volatile Baddi whose alcoholism is tearing the
family apart. We watch him deteriorate from being a hand-
some young man, every girl’s dream boy, to self-pitying bas-
tard. Throughout the film, he is engaged in a not so friendly
brotherly rivalry with his brother Danni. There is lot’s of black
humour in this movie, despite the dire storyline. Directed by
Friðrik Þór Friðriksson, it stars Baltasar Kormákur as Baddi,
who turns in a great performance as Baddi.
Devil’s Island
Dir. Friðrik Þór Friðriksson
Revenge of the Barbarians
Dir. Hrafn Gunnlaugsson
Based on a novel by Vigdís Grímsdóttir, Cold Light tells the dramatic sto-
ry of an unhappy art student called Grímur, who is ravaged by events
from his past. The story moves back and forth in time, as we learn about
Grímur’s happy childhood and the terrible tragedy that now causes
Grímur’s depression and unhappiness. After falling in love with his arts
teacher, Grímur is forced to deal with his past and work out his emotional
problems. Filmed on location in Seyðisfjörður, the scenery of this movie is
breathtaking. This powerful adaptation was directed by Hilmar Oddsson,
starring father and son duo Ingvar E. Sigurðsson and Áslákur Ingvarsson,
as Grímur at different ages, and Ingvar’s daughter Snæfríður Ingvarsdóttir
as young Grímur’s sister. The acting of the young siblings is a remarkable
achievement, and the film is worth seeing twice for that alone.
It is quite possible that this film is entirely responsible for the
notorious reputation the Icelandic nightlife has acquired in
foreign countries. Based on a novel by Hallgrímur Helgason,
the film tells the story of the Hlynur (Hilmar Snær Guðnason),
a 30 year old dedicated slacker who lives with his lesbian
mother and spends most of his time rummaging through the
internet in search for porn or drinking into the wee hours at
Kaffibarinn. His life takes an unexpected turn when he falls
in love with his mother’s Spanish love interest, played by Vic-
toria Abril, creating a rather odd love triangle. The film offers
some great scenes from the Reykjavík nightlife. Directed by
Baltasar Kormákur, the movie was his first array of directing
for the screen.
Nói Albínói is the story of young Nói, living in a desolate
small town in the Westfjords of Iceland. He longs to go away,
preferably to Hawaii apparently. Nói, living with his grand-
mother, is expelled from school, gets works at the cemetery
as a gravedigger in the midst of winter, and eventually de-
cides to rob a bank (unsuccessfully) to finance his trips to
Hawaii. Yes, things are tough all over. There are some un-
forgettable scenes in this movie: Nói negotiating the depth
of graves with the pastor, and the bookstore owner reading
from Sören Kierkegaard’s Ecstatic Discourse From Diapsalm-
ata. Director Dagur Kári does a great job of depicting life in
a small town Iceland, and creates a loveable character in Nói,
wonderfully portrayed by Tómas LeMarquis.
The Sea
Dir. Baltasar Kormákur
Based on a semi-biographical novel by Einar Már Guðmundsson, based
on the life of his brother, Friðrik Þór Friðriksson’s Angels of the Universe
brings us the story of Páll, an artistic and sensitive young man. Being
dumped by his girlfriend, Dagny, triggers his descent into madness and
we follow him on his way to inevitable doom –at home with his parents
who finally cannot cope, and in the mental institution, Kleppur. The movie
depicts the horrible conditions of people living in mental institutions, al-
though the inmates offer several moments of great dark humour, not
the least Baltasar Kormákur in a great role as one of the inmates at the
mental institution who writes Beatles songs and sends them to John Len-
non telepathically, outshined only by Ingvar E. Sigurðsson in the leading
role. The film also owes a lot to the music score by Hilmar Örn Hilmarsson
and Sigur Rós.
Angels of the Universe
Dir. Friðrik Þór Friðriksson
Nominated in the best foreign language film category at
the 1992 Oscar’s Award (The Italian Mediterraneo won the
award), Children of Nature is one of the most critically ac-
claimed Icelandic films. The film tells the story of two elderly
people who escape the old folks home on a stolen jeep for
one last look at the remote village they grew up in. The nar-
rative is carried as much through the beautiful imagery of
desolate landscapes as it is through the sparse dialogue,
which is mostly single lines of dialogue between the main
characters. The international success of the Children of Na-
ture came as vitamin injection to the Icelandic movie industry
that resulted in more ambitious and professional Icelandic
films. Directed by Friðrik Þór Friðriksson, Children of Nature
stars veteran actors Sigriður Hagalín and Gísli Halldórsson.
Children of the Nature
Dir. Friðrik Þór Friðriksson
Baltasar Kormákur’s second movie was based on an extreme-
ly successful play by Ólafur Haukur Símonarson, which tack-
led the most debated political question in Iceland since the
days of our independence struggle: the fishing quota system.
Set in an undisclosed little fishing village in Iceland, it tells the
story of a patriarch who summons his very-much-so dysfunc-
tional family as he prepares to relinquish the reins to the fam-
ily’s fishing company. As his offspring try to convince the old
man to sell the business and move to the city, ancient family
feuds play out against the backdrop of a small fishing village
striving for survival in a globalised economy and the eventual
showdown includes incest, alleged murder, attempted pat-
ricide, breaking and entering, prostitution, and arson. This
may all sound very serious, but the story is told with Directed
by Baltasar Kormákur, The Sea stars notable Icelandic actors
Gunnar Eyjólfsson, Kristbjörg Keld and Hilmir Snær.
Cold Light
Dir. Hilmar Oddsson
101 Reykjavík
Dir. Baltasar Kormákur
Nói Albínói
Dir. Dagur Kári Pétursson
1984
1991
1996
2000
2003
2002
2000 2004
This exciting new multimedia exhibition tells the story from an island’s dramatic
birth from the depths of the Atlantic Ocean through its forty year history to the
current day – and beyond, glimpsing the future 120 years hence.

The exhibition explains the Government’s decision to submit an application
to UNESCO to designate Surtsey a World Heritage Site.
The Culture House - Þjóðmenningarhúsið
National Centre for Cultural Heritage
Hverfi sgata 15, 101 Reykjavik
Telephone 545 1400 www.thjodmenning.is
Open daily between 11am and 5pm
The admission fee grants entry to all exhibitions at the Culture House. Adults ISK 300. Senior citizens ISK 200.
Students ISK 200. Free entry for children 16 years of age or younger. Admission is free on Wednesdays.
SURTSEY – GENESIS. EXHIBITION AT THE CULTURE HOUSE
Laugavegi 7 • 101 Reykjavík
Sími 561 6262 • www.kisan.is
Annick Goutal, Bonpoint,
Farmers Market, Orla Kiely, Sonia Rykiel,
Jamin Puech, Petit Bateau, Steiff ...
Don’t miss
Kisan when
in downtown
Reykjavík.
A truly unique
concept store
carrying world known brands as well
as local delights like the quality
sweaters from Farmers Market –
only place in downtown.
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