Icelandic Films to Screen in Toronto

From a press release sent out by the Icelandic Tourist Board:

In collaboration with the New York-based curatorial team Package Deals, a handful of feature films will be screened in Toronto during the festival. The film Children (Börn), by well-known Icelandic director Ragnar Bragason, is a compelling look at a group of dysfunctional people in Reykjavi­k. Shot in beautifully stylized black and white, which complements the film’s dark atmosphere, the story’s unexpected twists and turns lead to a provocative denouement. The film was awarded the Best Screenplay award at the 2006 Edda Awards, Iceland’s equivalent of the Academy Awards, in 2006. This screening marks the Toronto premiere of Children (Börn).

The new acclaimed film Heima will also be screening as part of the Taste of Iceland festival. Directed by Ottawa native Dean DeBlois, Heima, which translates as both “home” and “homeland”, chronicles a series of free concerts that Sigur Rós, Iceland’s biggest musical export after Björk, played in their native Iceland in the summer of 2006. The film provides unique insights into one of the world’s most fascinating and inscrutable bands, captured live while exploring their natural habitat — ”the mysterious, otherworldly landscape of Iceland” — like never before.

Both films will screen at the Cumberland Theatre on Bloor St. Children (Börn) will air at 6:30pm and Heima at 8:15pm, both on Thursday, March 13th.

The film screenings are part of A Taste of Iceland, a weeklong Icelandic cultural festival in the city, which includes free musical events and an Icelandic dinner. Check out the full press release for more details.

Unfortunately, I’m going to be in Austin this week, but if you catch Children (Börn), comment here. I’ve already raved about Heima elsewhere, and you should definitely catch it on a big screen.

And though I’m sad to be missing this event, it just makes me that much more excited for my trip to Iceland this coming September for the Reykjavik International Film Festival.