‘Ransacked’ At RIFF: A Kick Of Reality

The 2008 financial crisis was felt worldwide. Icelanders were faced with an unprecedented economic depression that continues to affect families today.

Pétur Einarsson was a banker until 2006 (a “fortunate coincidence,” he notes). Over the course of the last year Pétur has worked closely with journalist Helgi Vífill Júlíusson to tell the story—his story, and others’—of the crash and the times which followed. He uses his film to stress one important point:

“This banking system does not work anymore.”

Having worked in the banking sector in Iceland, Pétur was wanted to share insights from within the situation and provide public with details that he felt they were not exposed to.

“I felt that I have to tell this story and should use all the knowledge I have to do it,” he says. “The difference between other films and mine is that others usually stop just at the crisis, whereas this film really begins in it. This is the story of ‘what happened afterwards’.”

In contrast to similar documentaries, ‘Ransacked’ starts at the moment of crisis beginning and tells a story of recovery. Alongside bigger institutional details the film follows one family that, after losing everything, took the bank to court. Both personal and informational story lines play into each other throughout the film.

‘Ransacked’ film premiere and Director Q+A session takes place at Bíó Paradís on Saturday, October 1, at 13:15.

The film will have a second RIFF screening at the Nordic House, October 3 at 20:30.

Reykjavik International Film Festival is happening from September 29 to October 9. Read more about the RIFF’s program here.