Popular From Iceland

A documentary film about the Icelandic politician Jónas Jónsson frá Hriflu.

During the Cold War, Iceland was part of the West. They became a member of NATO and the United States operated a military base there. Centerright coalitions ran the national government and municipalities all across the country, with one exception: In Neskaupstadur, a town of 1,500 people in the east of the country, socialists ran the show. They came to power in 1946 and maintained control for 52 years.

Canvas and Curtains is a documentary about the icelandic artist and scenographer, Steinthor Sigurdsson. This biography narrates Steinthors story from his childhood years in his native town Stykkisholmur, until present time. Steinthor recently celebrated his 80th birthday and has in the past few years continued his work as exhibition planner and designer. In this film we follow his present time work, designing the Icelandic Seal Center in Hvammstangi and the Volcano Museum in Stykkisholmur. Steinthor goes to visit an old friend in Stockholm. The trip brings back memories from their school years at Stockholms art academy and in Spain in the fifties.

As a huge storm approaches Hera's dilapidated, seaside home, she must decide whether it'sfinally time to move to the city with her son or stay and face the calamity.

A young boy sees the behavior of his sister change and thinks she is a werewolf.

Two lovers dance their story, united in space, divided in time.

A documentary about a daring climb to the top of Þumall (the Thumb) a mountain in Skaftafellsöraefi district, in the South of Iceland. The preparation of the climbers is shown, as well as their journey through the National Park Skaftafell, towards the root of the mountain. The climb is delayed by the weather, but eventually, Þumall is conquered.

Henry Darger travels the icy roads of Iceland to find out how much time he has left to live. Two o’clock will tell him a clairvoyant with blue skin.

A documentary about the making-of Lífið er ljúft, Bubbi Morthens' thirteenth studio album which he released in 1993.

A film documenting the landscapes of northern Iceland.

Halldór Kiljan Laxness was born in 1902 in Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland, but spent his youth in the country. From the age of seventeen on, he traveled and lived abroad, chiefly on the European continent. He was influenced by expressionism and other modern currents in Germany and France. In the mid-twenties he converted to Catholicism, but Laxness's religious period did not last long; during a visit to America he became attracted to socialism, which would later on get him into trouble with the Icelandic authorities and eventually blacklisted in the U.S regardless of excellent sales and good reviews.

A documentary that introduces the main places in Öræfasveit, for examples Ingólfshöfði to name a few. The picture gives a beautiful view of nature and life in Öræfasveit in the middle of the last century.

A film about the development of ironwork in Iceland. An old forge in Árbaer is visited where ancient handcraft is demonstrated. Also shown are a machine shop and a metal casting shop in Thingeyri, dating from the beginning of the century, that are still being used.

Gays and lesbians lived in silence and fear in Iceland for the better part of the 20th century. Local songwriter and actor Hordur Torfason was the first to come out publicly in an interview in 1975 which caused an uproar in Iceland. This interview marks the beginning of the struggle for civil rights for gays and lesbians. People Like That – first part chronicles this struggle, stories of people who took on the current system of oppression in the hope of creating a fair society in which they could flourish.

Grace of God is a documentary reflecting on the complex relationships between humans and domesticated animals. Thirteen individuals share their stories of personal experiences with a particular animal, relaying everything from profound friendships to a range of unusual interactions. There are stories of farm animals as well as beloved family friends. Animals of exceptional intelligence, who in some cases have used their instincts and wit to save the storytellers live. Even touching on the symbolism associated with animals that appear to humans as visions from the afterlife.

Hera accidentally kills her grandma’s award flowers right before a photoshoot with a shy and helpful flower magazine photographer. They become unlikely friends and try to save the award winning rose with unusual methods.

For this woman, it's never too late to start again. Hanna Pálsdóttir is an 83 year old Icelandic woman who turned her life around after retiring from her life as a banker and enrolling in art school to become a painter. This documentary follows Hanna throughout the creative process of preparing for her latest exhibition as she recalls her life as an activist and branch manager before painting appeared in her life.

An attention desperate looser keeps interrupting a very serious pitch meeting.

On September 30th 2015 public broadcaster RUV in Iceland invited people to submit videos about their lives on that particular day. The film is made up of those contributions from hundreds of people all over the country. The film premiered on RUV a year later, on October 2nd, as a part of the celebrations of fifty years of RUV TV (September 30th 2016).