Advertise on podcast: Kvikmyndapod: An Icelandic Cinema Podcast

Halló! For their final discussion of the series, Rob and Ellie travel across continents and decades for a long-lost love story by Baltasar Kormákur. Set in 1960s London and contemporary Iceland and Japan, Touch follows Kristófer as he searches for Miko, a Japanese girl who he loved when he spent time in London as a student, and who mysteriously disappeared one day. With excellent performances from Egill Ólafsson, Yôko Narahashi, Palmi Kormákur and Japanese model Kōki, and beautifully shot and scored, this is a very subdued Kormákur film that sits in a rather different genre to much of his output discussed on the podcast so far. Touch is available in to rent or buy physically and digitally in the UK now!   Please subscribe/follow, rate and review on Spotify and Apple and Follow us on Instagram kvikmyndapod Bluesky @KVIKMYNDAPOD Join in the conversation on Discord And if you fancy supporting us, why not sling us the cost of a coffee! 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)

Halló! This week Rob and Ellie contemplate the existence of draugar as they discuss recent release 'The Damned'. Director Thordur Palsson's debut feature bears many of the hallmarks of a KVIKMYNDAPOD film with its setting of an isolated village in the Westfjords, gorgeous scenery and a chilling atmosphere, but this one is in the English language. 'The Damned', an ominous and bitter horror/thriller set in 19th century Iceland, follows Eva and her fishing crew as they come across a shipwreck and are faced with the moral dilemma to either help, or prioritise their own survival. With a haunting score, brilliantly stark cinematography and cast of great British actors, this is a taut, tense and terrifying watch. Keep your eyes peeled for Rory McCann from 'Game of Thrones', Siobhan Finneran from 'Happy Valley', Joe Cole from 'Peaky Blinders' and the incredible Odessa Young from 'Assassination Nation'. Available in UK cinemas right now!   Please subscribe/follow, rate and review on Spotify and Apple and Follow us on Instagram kvikmyndapod Bluesky @KVIKMYNDAPOD Join in the conversation on Discord And if you fancy supporting us, why not sling us the cost of a coffee!   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)

Halló! Rob and Ellie travel to yet another remote Icelandic village and meet a whole host of villagers with stories to tell and dreams to dream in Elfar Aðalsteins' film adaptation of Jón Kalman Stefánsson's popular novel 'Summerlight...And Then Comes The Night'. With a large ensemble cast of familiar faces including Sveinn Ólafur Gunnarsson, Sara Dögg Ásgeirsdóttir, Ólafur Darri Ólafsson, Svandís Dóra Einarsdóttir, Víkingur Kristjánsson, Þorsteinn Bachmann, Jóhann Sigurðarson and Heida Reed, 'Summerlight' explores the villagers' lives during the long summer days and the long winter nights. A successful businessman gives it all up to teach astronomy in the local town hall, two farmers have an affair, a young man loses his father, and a couple spark up a romance. These are stories both specific and universal, and the film depicts them beautifully with incredible cinematography and gorgeous music. Available to stream, rent and buy in the UK on Prime.   Please subscribe/follow, rate and review on Spotify and Apple and Follow us on Instagram kvikmyndapod  Bluesky @kvikmyndapod.bsky.social Threads @kvikmyndapod Join in the conversation on Discord And if you fancy supporting us, why not sling us the cost of a coffee!   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)

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 Please subscribe/follow, rate and review on Spotify and Apple and Follow us on Instagram kvikmyndapod  X @KVIKMYNDAPOD Threads @kvikmyndapod Join in the conversation on Discord And if you fancy supporting us, why not sling us the cost of a coffee!   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)

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   Please subscribe/follow, rate and review on Spotify and Apple and Follow us on X @KVIKMYNDAPOD Instagram kvikmyndapod  Threads @kvikmyndapod Join in the conversation on Discord And if you fancy supporting us, why not sling us the cost of a coffee!   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)

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!   Please subscribe/follow, rate and review on Spotify and Apple and Follow us on Instagram kvikmyndapod  X @KVIKMYNDAPOD Threads @kvikmyndapod Join in the conversation on Discord And if you fancy supporting us, why not sling us the cost of a coffee!   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)

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.   Please subscribe/follow, rate and review on Spotify and Apple and Follow us on X @KVIKMYNDAPOD Instagram kvikmyndapod  Threads @kvikmyndapod Join in the conversation on Discord And if you fancy supporting us, why not sling us the cost of a coffee!   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)

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   Please subscribe/follow, rate and review on Spotify and Apple and Follow us on X @KVIKMYNDAPOD Instagram kvikmyndapod  Threads @kvikmyndapod Join in the conversation on Discord And if you fancy supporting us, why not sling us the cost of a coffee!   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)

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.   Please subscribe/follow, rate and review on Spotify and Apple and Follow us on X @KVIKMYNDAPOD Instagram kvikmyndapod  Threads @kvikmyndapod Join in the conversation on Discord And if you fancy supporting us, why not sling us the cost of a coffee!   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)

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.   Please subscribe/follow, rate and review on Spotify and Apple and Follow us on X @KVIKMYNDAPOD Instagram kvikmyndapod  Threads @kvikmyndapod Join in the conversation on Discord And if you fancy supporting us, why not sling us the cost of a coffee!   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)

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!   Please subscribe/follow, rate and review on Spotify and Apple and Follow us on X @KVIKMYNDAPOD Instagram kvikmyndapod  Threads @kvikmyndapod And if you fancy supporting us, why not sling us the cost of a coffee!   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)

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 1st of March (here) this is an explosive start to the sixth series of Kvikmyndapod!   Please subscribe/follow, rate and review on Spotify and Apple and Follow us on X @KVIKMYNDAPOD Instagram kvikmyndapod  Threads @kvikmyndapod And if you fancy supporting us, why not sling us the cost of a coffee!   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)

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.   Please subscribe/follow, rate and review on Spotify and Apple and Follow us on Twitter @KVIKMYNDAPOD Instagram kvikmyndapod  And if you fancy supporting us, why not sling us the cost of a coffee!   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)

Halló! This week, for Rob and Ellie's fifth trip around the cinema of Iceland, they head back out to the countryside for some creepy goings on at a remote cabin...  The film under discussion this week is Erlingur Thoroddsen’s ‘Rift’, or ‘Rokkur’ from 2017. Gunnar (Björn Stefánsson) and Einar (Sigurður Þór Óskarsson) get to grips with their fractured relationship amid some spooky situations in the middle of nowhere. Questions abound in this stunningly shot and brilliantly acted indie horror movie. Available in the UK to rent or buy on Amazon or to stream on Flix Premiere or Revry. Thank you to those who have supported the podcast so far by donating to us via ko-fi!   Please subscribe/follow, rate and review on Spotify and Apple and Follow us on Twitter @KVIKMYNDAPOD and Instagram kvikmyndapod And if you fancy supporting us, why not sling us the cost of a coffee!   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)   47c7e93b9dff08c72bb8c91992edf54301ffb8ed

Halló! This week Rob and Ellie take another trip to south east Iceland just in time for the UK release of Hlynur Pálmason's Godland! An incredibly shot epic about a Danish priest's mission to conquer a corner of Iceland and spread the word of God, this is film-making of the highest level. Elliott Crosset Hove stars as Lucas, the Danish man of God who butts heads with Ingvar Sigurðsson's Ragnar, an Icelandic man very much of the land. To see this film is to take in the majesty of the landscape and the complexities of a country once under the rule of another. Available to watch in UK cinemas (including the Bristol Watershed) and on Curzon Home Cinema from 7th April, Godland is a stunning piece of work and features eerie music from Dirty Beaches' Alex Zhang Hungtai and magnificent cinematography once again from Maria von Hausswolff. Also starring Ída Mekkín Hlynsdóttir, Vic Carmen Sonne and Jacob Lohmann.   Rob and Ellie also recently had a great time chatting about the non-Icelandic bonkers Jason Statham movie Crank on Flixwatcher podcast which you can listen to here: Crank!   Please subscribe/follow, rate and review on Spotify and Apple and Follow us on Twitter @KVIKMYNDAPOD and Instagram kvikmyndapod And if you fancy supporting us, why not sling us the cost of a coffee!   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)