Reykjavík Grapevine


Reykjavík Grapevine - 20.04.2018, Blaðsíða 36

Reykjavík Grapevine - 20.04.2018, Blaðsíða 36
On The Edge Of Morality Filmmaker Börkur Sigþórsson on his new movie “Vargur“, on engaging the audience and embracing the dark sides of personality Words: Phil Uwe Widiger Pictures: Timothée Lambrecq After the international success of the Icelandic TV series “Trapped“, Börkur is close to finishing his new film called “Vargur“ which will be in theatres on May 4th. In a noir-style crime story, two Ice- landic brothers are trying to solve their financial issues by smug- gling a considerable amount of cocaine to Iceland. The Polish mule, having ingested the drugs, gets sick and bare- ly makes it through customs. From there, a ferocious battle of survival begins. “The story is about how these broth- ers deal with the situation differently. It’s about how far they are willing to go to protect themselves and what they’re prepared to sacri- fice along the way,” explains Börkur. “Every noir has an anti-hero at its core who’s constantly being forced to choose between two hopeless options. And as an audience, you should be asking your- self: ‘What would I do in this situation?’” Confrontation is art In a mix of social commentary and escapism, Börkur seeks to both entertain and stimulate a conver- sation. “Art is meant to disturb the comfortable and comfort the dis- turbed,” he tells me. “I don't think about filmmaking as activism. If you want to be an activist, be an activist. But you want to be an art- ist, don't supply answers. Provoke questions.” Embrace the darkness The themes of self-reliance, re- sponsibility and accountability have been woven through Börkur’s work since he started directing shorts, with ‘Support’ being the first one in 2008, followed by ‘Come to Harm’ in 2011. “Everything is autobiographical in one way or another, and as an author, you are always drawing on that,” Börkur admits. “Especially in crime films, you can tap into what you think are your own worst qualities and mag- nify them. Hence someone who is trafficking drugs and inflicting violence on people. You would not necessarily do that yourself but you wonder how a person gets to that point.” DIY interpretation Engaging the audience by show- ing enough, rather than too much, is what the director strives for. In order to get the viewer to resonate with the characters of the film, there has to be room for interpre- tation. “'Sometimes you just want the artist to shut up and pull back and let the work speak for itself,” says Börkur. “Forcing an interpre- tation onto the audience by stating my intentions is something that I'm very reluctant to.“ Preying on the weak The English film title is “Vul- tures” but it was difficult finding a proper translation for the Icelandic word “Var- gur”. It has a variety of dif- ferent meanings, referring to humans and animals alike. “It can be a predator, a crea- ture that preys on weaker animals,” Börkur explains. “It can also mean an outcast. And, ironically, it can be com- plementary. Someone who is ruthless in their pursuit of a specific goal and will go to any lengths to achieve it,” he adds. All of these meanings carry a certain connection to the story of the film, to the environment the characters are set in as well as the char- acters themselves. When asked about his ex- pectations for the success of “Var- gur“, Börkur gives a sober answer. “In my work, I strive for sincerity. We are all very similar, dealing with the same essential questions. If you are a moral person, you are constantly questioning your own morality. I think that is what will attract people to the film.” Find today's events in Iceland! Download our free listings app - APPENING on the Apple and Android storesFilm FILM Hað Bláa The Blue Sea restaurant with a view 483-1000 • hafidblaa.is 5 minutes from Eyrarbakki at the Ölfusá bridge 483-3330 • raudahusid.is 10 minutes from Selfoss and Highway 1 in Eyrarbakki open daily 11:30-22:00 Traveling the south coast or Golden Circle? Reykjavík Eyrarbakki Keavík International Airport Vík Börkur Sigþórsson, director of “Vargur” pho.is We specialize in Asian Cuisine Vietnamese Restaurant ➀ Laugavegur 27 ➁ Suðurlandsbraut 8 Tel: 588 68 68

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