Iceland review - 2004, Síða 13

ICELAND REVIEW 11
music-architecture-fashion-bars-
clubs-theatre-cinema-people-etc.
LOOK MÍR
A bittersweet secret, MÍR cinema was the cr-
eation of Icelandic writer, Halldór Laxness, who
won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1955. Lax-
ness travelled, in 1932, to what was then the
Soviet Union and was impressed by its cultural
prosperity in spite of hardship. Eventually, he
warned of the worship of totalitarian ideo-
logies, but his respect for the Russian people,
history and culture remained until his death in
1998. MÍR cinema was created to honour and
share Russian culture. After the collapse of the
Soviet Union and “amid rumours in Iceland of
the transfer of gold“, says one member, “so
too fell the theatre’s popularity.“ Twelve board
members keep the reels rolling, however.
Though independent of the Russian Embassy,
the embassy recently gifted MÍR its entire film
collection. The small cinema now holds perhaps
the largest collection of Russian films outside
of Russia and these gems are screened every
Sunday at 15h (3PM) and each Monday at 19h
(7PM). Upstairs of the actual theatre is a café
and a gallery. The board members also rent the
space to various cultural organizations. RL
MÍR cinema
Vatnsstigur 10
Tel. (+354) 551-7928
THE MANY FACES OF A WOMAN’S SOUL
Blind and kind, the protagonist of Elísabet Jökulsdóttir’s new tragicomedy approaches
you and invites you along on her journey. In a monologue delivered ingeniously by Pálina
Jónsdóttir, we hear the thoughts of a woman in love with a married man. She wants the
international media to hear her story, but the media has better things to do covering Iraq
and chasing after David Beckham’s affairs. As you wait with her, she captivates you –
scratching at the surface of truth and unfolding lies.
A compelling mixture of multimedia presentation and Icelandic nature sets the backdrop
for the play, which has now been invited to take part in the New York International
Fringe Festival next August. The Secret Face is at the Idnó Theatre, Reykjavík oldest
theatre, by the pond in the centre of town, with performances in English every Friday. It
is an absolute must for theatre lovers.
The Secret Face is staged by an excellent team including: director Steinunn
Knútsdóttir, costume and image designer Filippía Elísdóttir, product designer Árni Páll
Jónsson, sound designer Hilmar Örn Hilmarsson and video composer Elísabet
Rónaldsdóttir. Don’t miss this existential story of a woman searching for her identity. GG
Idnó Theatre
Vonarstræti 3
Tel. (+354) 562-9700
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