Lögberg-Heimskringla - 15.06.2019, Page 2

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2 • Lögberg-Heimskringla • June 15 2019
Stefan Jonasson
The film Umskipti
(Transition) won the Best
Icelandic Short Award at
the Frostbiter Icelandic Horror
Film Festival, which was held
in Akranes. Sesselía Ólafs, who
wrote the script and directed
the film with Peter Callow, was
on hand to receive the award,
which was aptly described as
“horrifyingly awesome.” After
this dramatic start, the film is
now touring the festival circuit. It
has been accepted for screening
at the Reykjavik Film Festival,
Northern Wave, the Minimalen
Kortfilmfestival in Norway,
Monsters of Film in Sweden,
and the Film Collective hosted
by the Philadelphia Independent
Film Awards. Last month, the
film was screened in Akureyri
for those who helped finance
production of the film through
the Karolina Fund.
Umskipti tells the story of
three friends – Bára, Íris, and
Sunna – who go to a cabin on
Þrettándinn, the thirteenth day
of Christmas (also known as
Epiphany), when elemental
beings are traditionally believed
to appear at rural crossroads.
The girls encounter figures from
Icelandic folklore who cross
the threshold between myth
and reality bearing gifts with
catastrophic consequences.
Sesselía Ólafs (Ólafsdóttir)
is a familiar face to many
members of the Icelandic
community in Manitoba and the
Upper Midwest. She was one
of four Snorri West participants
who toured Minnesota, North
Dakota, and Manitoba in the
summer of 2016. Along the way,
the group visited the Deuce of
August, Icelandic Camp, and
Íslendingadagurinn, endearing
themselves to many.
An actress and writer,
Sesselía studied in London,
England, where she lived for
six years before returning to
her hometown of Akureyri.
“People’s stories have always
fascinated me,” she said before
visiting North America, which is
what motivated her to participate
in the Snorri West Program. “I
got to hear a few very interesting
ones of the emigrants, their
journey, and their lives in the
new country.”
In an interview with Erna
Lilliendahl of the Icelandic Film
Institute, Sesselía said, “I have
always wanted to see our folklore
heritage being used more in
film making ... Some years ago
I took a trip with friends to a
cabin and it dawned on me that
the terror in the Icelandic elves
from years gone by would be a
perfect fit in the world of horror
films, as many of our folklore
are basically horror stories.”
It turns out that Sesselía is
a pretty remarkable storyteller
in her own right – perhaps
even a “horrifyingly awesome”
one, if the film Umskipti is a
representative indication.
Fréttablaðið – Three Icelandic suspense novels are to be
found on the British newspaper The Sunday Times’ list of the one
hundred best crime novels and thrillers that have been published
since the end of World War II. The list can be found in the
publication’s May 12th issue. The Icelandic books in question
are The Silence of the Sea (Brakið) by Yrsa Sigurðardóttir, The
Darkness (Dimma) by Ragnar Jónasson and Strange Shores
(Furðustrandir) by Arnaldur Indriðason.
There are a total of eight books by authors from the Nordic
countries on the list. In addition to the books by Yrsa, Ragnar,
and Arnaldur, the list includes books by Danes Jussi Adler-
Olsen and Peter Høeg, Norwegian Jo Nesbø, and Swedes Stieg
Larsson and Henning Mankell. The Sunday Times list also
contains books by authors such as Agatha Christie, Raymond
Chandler, Ian Flemming, P.D. James, John Grisham, Graham
Greene, Umberto Eco, and Gillian Flynn. (Reported by Atli
Ísleifsson; translated by Stefan Jonasson.)
Three Icelandic crime
novelists make top 100
Greetings from
Gordon J. Reykdal
Honorary Consul of the
Republic of Iceland
Suite #10250 – 176 Street
Edmonton, Alberta
T5S 1L2
Cell: 780.497.1480
E-mail: gjreykdal@gmail.com
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UMSKIPTI WINS FROSTBITER FILM AWARD
PHOTO: FROSTBITER
Sesselía Ólafs with the creepy trophy her film won last fall at Frostbiter, the Icelandic Horror
Film Festival. The trophy was created by Snorri Kristins and Ólöf Birna Trofadóttir.
Iceland’s National
Day celebrations
Icelandic communities around North America will be gathering
this month to celebrate Iceland’s National Day and mark
the 75th anniversary of the Republic of Iceland. Here’s an
overview of the festivities we’ve heard about.
Los Angeles, CA – The Icelandic American Association
of Southern California will host Þjóðhátiðardagur at Cheviot
Hills Recreational Center, 2551 Motor Avenue, Los Angeles, on
Sunday, June 16, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Lunch will be potluck, so
everyone is asked to bring whatever they fancy. The grill will be
hot for those who need it.
Markerville, AB – The Stephan G. Stephansson Icelandic
Club in Markerville, Alberta, will host Icelanders from across
the province at the annual Icelandic National Day Celebration on
Saturday, June 15, beginning at 12:30 p.m. with children's warrior
practice (games) in Markerville Park. The Vikings (Sons of Fenrir
re-enacters) will be attacking as soon as the warriors (kids) have
time to practice. The crowning of Alberta’s Fjallkona will be held
in Fensala Hall beginning at 3:00 p.m. and a potluck dinner will
follow the crowning ceremony.
Minneapolis, MN – Icelanders in the Twin Cities will gather
for their Icelandic National Day festivities at Moir Park, 10320
Morgan Avenue South, Bloomington, on Sunday, June 16. The
meeting place is Shelter 1, closest to the north entrance at West
104th Street and Morgan Avenue. Registration for the 30th annual
Kvennahlaup begins and 10:30 a.m. and the Kvennahlaup will
follow at 11:00 a.m. A potluck lunch will begin at 12:30 p.m. Please
bring a dish to share; hamburgers and hot dogs will be provided.
Spanish Fork, UT – The Icelandic Association of Utah will
hold its weekend-long Fire and Ice Festival for Iceland Days at
the Spanish Fork Library and City Park from Friday, June 21, to
Sunday, June 23. Check out the IAU’s Facebook page for details.
Toronto, ON – The Icelandic Canadian Club of Toronto will
hold its annual Þjóðhátíðardagurinn picnic at Dufferin Grove on
Sunday, June 16, from noon until 3:00 p.m. The park is located at
875 Dufferin Avenue, about two blocks south of the Dufferin subway
station and across the street from Dufferin Mall. All are welcome,
but participants should bring their own blankets, chairs, and picnic
lunches – along with their Icelandic flags, if they have them.
Vancouver, BC – The Icelandic Canadian Club of British
Columbia will hold its Iceland Independence Day celebration
at the Scandinavian Centre, 6540 Thomas Street, Burnaby, on
Monday, June 17, from 6:00 p.m. onwards. There will be hot dogs,
hangikjöt, and kleinur – and a sing-along will ensue. This is a
family event and there will be plenty of room for kids to run around
in and fun things for them to do. Those planning on attending are
asked to RSVP to janahelgason@gmail.com or (604) 970-1680.
Winnipeg, MB – The Icelandic Canadian Frón and Jón
Sigurdsson Chapter IODE will host the 37th annual Jon Sigurdsson
Day celebration on the grounds of the Manitoba Legislative
Building on Monday, June 17, beginning at 6:30 p.m. The wreath-
laying ceremony and speeches will begin at 7:00 p.m. and there
will be a choir concert at the Winnipeg Art Gallery beginning at
8:00 p.m. Reykjavík harbourmaster Gísli Gíslason will be the
keynote speaker and the Graduale Futuri Youth Choir will perform.