Archive of films Undercurrent / Brim

Iceland / Poland
2010, 95 min

Section: Horizons
Year: 2011

Focusing on a group of rugged sailors and one woman, this Icelandic movie is marked by the North’s characteristically dreary atmosphere. It is a work based on the almost physical experience of sailing on rough seas and the claustrophobia triggered by a sojourn spent on a decrepit old fishing vessel. Undercurrent was voted Icelandic Film of the Year.

Synopsis

Sailors are not usually a gentle breed of men, and the crew of a small fishing boat is no exception. This Icelandic drama, focusing on a group of rugged seafarers who accept the presence of a woman on board, is based on the almost physical experience of sailing on rough seas and the claustrophobia triggered by a sojourn spent on a decrepit old vessel. After one of the old-time crewmembers dies, the captain brings his niece Drífa on board, a woman in a desperate situation who urgently needs help. Despite the clarity of the fisherman’s code – no women on board – the captain doesn’t let his niece down. Drífa sets sail on her first voyage, and ultimately the incredibly stormy weather is not the most dramatic of the tests she undergoes. Árni Ólafur Ásgeirsson’s movie is marked by the North’s characteristically dreary atmosphere, and both the visual conception of the film and the accompanying soundtrack (music by the Icelandic group Slowblow) correspond to this chilling mood.

About the director

Árni Ólafur Ásgeirsson (b. 1972, Reykjavik) graduated in direction from the Polish National Film School in Łódź in 2001. After his graduation short P. S., which screened at Cannes, he shot another short work entitled Anna’s Day (Annas dag, 2003). Then in 2006 he directed his feature debut Thicker Than Water (Blóðbönd), a film enthusiastically received by viewers and critics alike. The director serves as screenwriter or co-screenwriter on each of his films, and his work has screened at many international festivals (Clermont- Ferrand, Rome, Toronto, Edinburgh, and Cannes). Ásgeirsson also shoots commercials and promotional films, and teaches acting and direction. Undercurrent was awarded several Eddas – Icelandic National Awards (best film, actress, camera, editing, and music).

Contacts

Icelandic Film Centre
Hverfisgata 54, 101, Reykjavik
Iceland
Tel: +354 562 3580
Fax: +354 562 7171
E-mail: [email protected]
www: www.icelandicfilmcentre.is

Zik Zak Filmworks
Hverfisgata 14 a, IS - 101, Reykjavik
Iceland
Tel: +354 511 201 9
Fax: +354 511 301 9
E-mail: [email protected]

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About the film

Color, 35 mm

Section:	Horizons

Director:	Árni Ólafur Ásgeirsson
Screenplay:	Árni Ólafur Ásgeirsson, Ottó G. Borg, Vesturport podle stejnojmenné divadelní hry Jón Atli Jónassona / based on Jón Atli Jónasson’s stage play of the same name
Dir. of Photography:	G. Magni Ágústsson
Music:	Slowblow
Editor:	Valdís Óskarsdóttir, Eva Lind Höskuldardóttir
Producer:	Skúli Fr. Malmquist, Thorir S. Sigurjonsson, Grímar Jónsson, Gísli Örn Garðarsson
Production:	Zik Zak Filmworks
Cast:	Ingvar E. Sigurðsson, Nína Dögg Filippusdóttir, Gísli Örn Garðarsson, Ólafur Egil Egilsson, Björn Hlynur Haraldsson
Contact:	Icelandic Film Centre, Zik Zak Filmworks

www:	zikzak.is/brim

Guests

Christof Wehmeier

Film Institution Rep.

Árni Ólafur Ásgeirsson

Film Director