Lögberg-Heimskringla - 01.06.2010, Blaðsíða 16

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16 • Lögberg-Heimskringla • 1 June 2010
Those readers who recall my editorship of this august organ may also
remember that, just over a year
ago, I took time away from it
to traipse off and make a docu-
mentary about the Icelandic-
blooded good-time rock ‘n’ roll
aggregation, The Weakerthans.
Well, on May 8 that film had
its grand world premiere, I’m
pleased to report, and moreover
this unveiling took place as part
of the Núna (now) Icelandic-
Canadian arts convergence.
It was an altogether pleas-
ant evening, which took place
at the Globe Cinema in down-
town Winnipeg. Two hundred
or more people showed up for
the screening, an entirely grati-
fying turnout. Spotted amongst
the crowd: Timothy and Elea-
nor Samson, well known and
beloved in the Icelandic com-
munity, and parental units to
Weakerthans frontman John K.
Samson. Icelandic artist Sara
Riel – Núna (now)’s 2010 Art-
ist in residence – was there, tak-
ing a break from her creation of
a mural depicting a fancified
take on the Icelandic settlers
of Manitoba. Radio host and
devoted Icelandophile Terry
McLeod, sporting a fetching
Núna (now) T-shirt, moved eas-
ily through the crowd, shaking
hands and smiling. And there
were many, many others.
The film, entitled We’re the
Weakerthans, We’re From Win-
nipeg, unspooled without too
much delay, after a small speech
of thanks from yours truly.
Ninety-two minutes later it was
done, and there was very kind
applause from the assembled
multitudes. What a fine feeling
it is for a film director to have
people watch his movie! It’s re-
ally the moment the whole ter-
rible, wonderful process builds
towards from the start.
The movie will be screen-
ing again, for those who are
interested. Manitoba residents
who get their cable from MTS
may watch it anytime through
the company’s Winnipeg On
Demand service. This week, the
movie will actually be playing
in Cannes, not in competition
(rest easy, Woody Allen!), but
as part of the festival’s bustling
market. A screening on the Riv-
iera is a screening on the Rivi-
era, however, and very exciting
for a prairie filmmaker like me.
And it will screen this summer
as part of the Gimli Film Festi-
val – also very thrilling!
* * *
ITEM! Speaking of the
Gimli Film Festival, this fine
organization has announced a
launch party for the 2010 event.
The party will take place June 10
in Winnipeg, high atop the Win-
nipeg Art Gallery on their roof-
top sculpture garden. There will
be screenings, surprise guests
and door prizes – altogether well
worth the twenty-dollar ticket
price. Be there or be square!
ITEM! Three Icelandic
documentaries made waves at
the recent Hot Docs festival in
Toronto. The films in question
were Dreamland (which also
played at the Núna (now) fes-
tival), Architecture of Home,
and Feathered Cocaine.
Caelum Vatnsdal is a Win-
nipeg writer and filmmaker of
Icelandic descent. He is the
author of Kino Delirium: The
Films of Guy Maddin and
They Came From Within: A
History of Canadian Horror
Cinema.
LAMBSWOOL CINEMA
Caelum Vatnsdal
Winnipeg, MB
Tour documentary
premiers
WWW.ICELANDAIR.CA
Now available on the Icelandair website:
book from 10 additional cities throughout Canada,
making your flight home that much easier.
Seasonal service from Toronto and Halifax now ongoing.
+ For further information, please visit
www.icelandair.ca or call (877) I-FLY-ICE.
CLOSER TO HOME
WWW.ICELANDAIR.CA
Now available on the Icelandair website:
book from 10 additional cities throughout Canada,
making your flight home that much easier.
Seasonal service from Toronto and Halifax now ongoing.
+ For further information, please visit
www.icelandair.ca or call (877) I-FLY-ICE.
CLOSER TO HO E
We offer help to descendents of
the emigrants who are looking
for their roots in Iceland.
For those who have decided to
visit Iceland, we offer help in
planning their journey.
Vesturfaramiðstöð Austurlands
East IcEland EmIgratIon cEntEr
www.vesturfarinn.is
Phone 354.473.1200
E-mail vesturfarinn@simnet.is
Kaupvangur 2, Hafnarbyggð 690 Vopnafjörður, Iceland
photo: Bruce claydon
Director Caelum Vatnsdal and cinematographer
Dave Gaudet hard at work
w w w.icel andic-goods.com
1-866-314-4423 or 780-481-3502
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e-mail: snorri@icelandic-goods.com
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Home • Auto • CommerCiAl
photo courtesy Farpoint Films
The Weakerthans climb Signal Hill in St. John’s, Newfoundland, at the beginning of their tour