Kvikmyndapod: An Icelandic Cinema Podcast

When The Light Breaks (2024) aka Ljósbrot at London Film Festival and Fár (2023)

Halló!

In this week's minisode Rob and Ellie, together with guest Natalie Peck, head to Reykjavík, by way of the BFI London Film Festival!

In a non-spoiler discussion, they chat about the one Icelandic movie that had its UK premiere as part of the 2024 festival.

That film is 'When The Light Breaks' starring Elín Hall, directed by Rúnar Rúnarsson, not the Icelandic footballer who plays in goal for the national team, but the director of the wonderful 'Echo' which was discussed in an earlier series, and with music by Jóhann Jóhannsson.

The group also discuss a short film that recently dropped on Disney+, 'Fár' directed by Gunnur Martinsdóttir Schlüter and with cinematography by Eli Arenson.

 

Natalie can be found on X @nataliepeck

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Artwork designed by Sophie Watts (justahappyspace)

 

Music by Branches Bare

('Half-light' from the EP 'In the Origami Folds of the Night You Rip the Seam of Sleep Wide Open)

Beast (2022)

Halló!

Rob and Ellie get their teeth sunk into an English-language Hollywood movie this week, as they follow big time Icelandic director (and actor) Baltasar Kormákur all the way to South Africa to witness Idris Elba punch a lion!

In 'Beast', Elba's Dr Nate Samuels takes his daughters on a pilgrimage to their recently deceased mother's village hoping it will bring the family closer together. Matters are complicated somewhat by a prowling lion hell-bent on revenge against the poachers who killed it's pride. Will the family survive and/or thrive? Take a guess! 

Also starring Sharlto Copley as ranger Martin Battles, Leah Jeffries and Ivana Halley as Norah and Meredith Samuels, 'Beast' is an action-packed creature feature thriller with plenty of tension and adventure!

Unlike any other Kormákur film covered on the podcast, this a fun change of pace and a fascinating look at how the director embraces another side of film-making. 'Beast' is now streaming on Netflix in the UK, and is available to rent or buy pretty much anywhere.

Music by Steven Price

Cinematography by Philippe Rousselot

 

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('Half-light' from the EP 'In the Origami Folds of the Night You Rip the Seam of Sleep Wide Open)

The Home Game (2023) aka Heimaleikurinn

Halló!

Rob and Ellie drop into your feeds to discuss a new football documentary - always striking while the iron is hot - titled 'The Home Game', or 'Heimaleikurinn'.

Directors Smari Gunn and Logi Sigursveinsson bring the story of Reynir FC to cinemas; 25 years after his father created a pitch in a small town in the west of Iceland and failed to get the local team to play a match on it, Kari picks up the mantle and sets out to put together another team to play an FA Cup match on the pitch! And not lose 10-0...

With great characters, surprising moments and an excellent score (pun intended) this feel-good underdog story demonstrates just how much community can mean and how sport can unite.

Available to stream in Iceland, Sweden and New Zealand, 'The Home Game' can also be spotted at festivals around the world and will be playing soon in UK cities. Keep an eye on the film's Instagram for the latest on screenings!

 

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Artwork designed by Sophie Watts (justahappyspace)

 

Music by Branches Bare

('Half-light' from the EP 'In the Origami Folds of the Night You Rip the Seam of Sleep Wide Open)

The Oath (2016) aka Eiðurinn

Halló!

In the final episode of series 6, Rob and Ellie are back in the capital for another film by one-man movie-making machine Baltasar Kormákur.

Anna, the daughter of heart surgeon Finnur, is addicted to drugs and madly in love with her dealer boyfriend and all round bad influence, Óttar. As her father, Finnur takes it into his hands  rid her of the bad boyfriend. But things don't quite go to plan.An Icelandic variation on the 'Taken'-style action and psychological thriller, 'The Oath', or 'Eiðurinn' from 2016 was written and directed by, and stars Baltasar Kormákur. It also stars series favourites Hera Hilmar and Gísli Örn Garðarsson and features other familiar faces too - Þorsteinn Bachmann, Ingvar Sigurðsson and Þorsteinn Gunnarsson.

Stunning cinematography by 'Driving Mum' director of photography Óttar Guðnason and a chilling cello score from Hildur Guðnadóttir also help to make this a particularly Icelandic form of Hollywood movie.

'The Oath' is available to rent or buy on Apple TV.

 

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Artwork designed by Sophie Watts (justahappyspace)

 

Music by Branches Bare

('Half-light' from the EP 'In the Origami Folds of the Night You Rip the Seam of Sleep Wide Open)

Northern Comfort (2023)

Halló!

Episode five finds Rob and Ellie in the UK! But not for too long as this week's film follows a group of people with a fear of flying boarding an exposure flight to, you guessed it, Iceland!

Our Fearless Flyers include Sarah (played by Lydia Leonard), a competent business woman who wants to overcome her fear so she can go on holiday with her partner and his daughter; Edward (Timothy Spall), a popular writer and army veteran; Alfons (Sverrir Guðnason), a budding tech developer; and his partner Coco (Ella Rumpf) who needs Alfons to follow her around the world and take photos of her bum.

Much madness and uncomfortableness ensues and there's even room for Icelandic actors Björn Hlynur Haraldsson and Svandis Dora Einarsdottir, and English comedy actor Rob Delaney in a small but pivotal role.

Not only does it start in the UK, but 'Northern Comfort' is in English, so no subtitles! This is 'Under The Tree' director Hafsteinn Gunnar Sigurðsson's English-language debut and it recently dropped on Netflix in the UK.

Music by Daníel Bjarnason

Cinematography by Niels Thastum

 

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Artwork designed by Sophie Watts (justahappyspace)

 

Music by Branches Bare

('Half-light' from the EP 'In the Origami Folds of the Night You Rip the Seam of Sleep Wide Open)

Cruelty (2016) aka Grimmd

Halló!

For episode four, Rob and Ellie return to Reykjavík and the Nordic Noir genre for 2016's 'Cruelty', directed by Anton Sigurðsson.

When two young sisters are found murdered in the woods of a Reykjavík suburb, detectives Edda and Jói are called on to solve a case with few to no clues. But a long list of possible suspects...

Starring Margrét Vilhjálmsdóttir and Sveinn Ólafur Gunnarsson, this is a cold, bleak and grim crime thriller that exposes the world of sex offenders in Iceland.

Also starring Hannes Óli Ágústsson, Salóme Gunnarsdóttir, Helgi Björnsson, Pétur Óskar and Atli Rafn Sigurðsson.

Music by Kristján Sturla Bjarnason.

The film is available to rent or buy in the UK on Apple TV.

 

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Artwork designed by Sophie Watts (justahappyspace)

 

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('Half-light' from the EP 'In the Origami Folds of the Night You Rip the Seam of Sleep Wide Open)

Driving Mum (2022) aka Á Ferð með Mömmu

Halló!

Episode three finds Rob and Ellie taking an eccentric road trip south from the Westfjords of Iceland with Þröstur Leó Gunnarsson's Jón and his deceased mother, played by Kristbjörg Kjeld!

Set in the 1980s, Hilmar Oddson's black and white comedy drama is an offbeat delight about a man coming to terms with what his life could have been and now could be. These revelations occur as he drives a beat up Ford Cortina across the unforgiving Icelandic terrain, bumps into some strange folk, and reminisces about a former lover (played by Hera Hilmar).

Nominated for a whole host of EDDA Awards in 2024 (the Icelandic Oscars), this film deserves all the acclaim it's getting, including for Tõnu Kõrvits' score and Óttar Guðnason's cinematography.

Released in the UK on the 1st March and travelling up and down the country throughout the coming months, 'Driving Mum' is one not to miss at your local indie cinema! A list of screenings can be found here.

 

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Artwork designed by Sophie Watts (justahappyspace)

 

Music by Branches Bare

('Half-light' from the EP 'In the Origami Folds of the Night You Rip the Seam of Sleep Wide Open)

A Letter From Helga (2022) aka Svar við bréfi Helgu

Halló!

This week Rob and Ellie travel north to the remote area of Strandir in the Icelandic Westfjords for a romantic period piece.

In Ása Helga Hjörleifsdóttir's 'A Letter From Helga', or 'Svar við bréfi Helgu', farmers Bjarni and Helga (played beautifully by Thorvaldur Kristjansson and Hera Hilmar) begin a passionate affair as the rest of their small town whisper secrets to one another.

Emotions run high and big decisions need to be made while the rugged and wild landscapes of the north of Iceland serve as a backdrop to both characters' mental and physical journeys.

Based on a well-loved novel by Bergsveinn Birgisson, this was available to watch with English subtitles via the RUV website earlier in the year (here) so keep an eye out in case it returns!

 

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Artwork designed by Sophie Watts (justahappyspace)

 

Music by Branches Bare

('Half-light' from the EP 'In the Origami Folds of the Night You Rip the Seam of Sleep Wide Open)

Wild Game (2023) aka Villibráð

Kvikmyndapod is back for series 6!

For episode one, Rob and Ellie invite you to a funny, stressful and cringe dinner party in Vesturbær.

Directed by Elsa Maria Jakobsdóttir, 'Wild Game' is one of over 20 country-specific adaptations of the Italian movie 'Perfetti sconosciuti', 'Perfect Strangers'. This version features an all star Icelandic cast including Anita Briem, Björn Hlynur Haraldsson, Nína Dögg Filippusdóttir, Hilmir Snær Guðnason, Þuríður Blær Jóhannsdóttir, Gísli Örn Garðarsson and Hilmar Guðjónsson. 

A group of close friends get together and their biggest secrets are revealed during a game involving their mobile phones. Could it be that someone is cheating? Or that another is hiding their true sexuality? These questions will be answered!

Available to watch with English subtitles via the RUV website until the 1^st of March (here) this is an explosive start to the sixth series of Kvikmyndapod!

 

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Artwork designed by Sophie Watts (justahappyspace)

 

Music by Branches Bare

('Half-light' from the EP 'In the Origami Folds of the Night You Rip the Seam of Sleep Wide Open)

Operation Napoleon: Frozen Conspiracy (2023) aka Napóleonsskjölin

Halló!

It's that time again, and on this week's episode Rob and Ellie return to Reykjavík for a conspiracy thriller based on a book.

The film is Óskar Thór Axelsson's 'Operation Napoleon: Frozen Conspiracy', based on Arnaldur Indriðason's 1999 best-selling novel 'Operation Napoleon'. Starring Iain Glen, Vivian Ólafsdóttir, Jack Fox and Ólafur Darri Ólafsson this is a romp in the vein of the 'Indiana Jones' films but with glaciers, modern technology and an assassin who likes to use pencils...

With action, an actual historical conspiracy and a supporting cast that includes the landlady from 'Ted Lasso' and pod favourite Þröstur Leó, this is a fun Hollywood-style movie with breathtaking Icelandic landscapes actually portraying themselves! And it will be available in the UK to stream on demand from the 14th August.

 

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Artwork designed by Sophie Watts (justahappyspace)

 

Music by Branches Bare

('Half-light' from the EP 'In the Origami Folds of the Night You Rip the Seam of Sleep Wide Open)