Author: Valur Gunnarsson
The End Of An Era
Exploring Greenland’s lost independence and the downfall of the colonies You know the Sagas. They’re about Icelanders, right? Well, there’s…
Revenge Of The Chewbacca Of The North
You know the Sagas. They’re about Icelanders, right? Well, there’s also the Grænlendinga saga (the Saga of the Greenlanders), which…
When God Came To Greenland
You know the Sagas. They’re about Icelanders, right? Well, there’s also the short and sweet Grænlendingaþáttur saga, which tells the…
Waiting For The Germans To Come
German Film Days & so much more at Bíó Paradís The German Film Days may not have as illustrious a…
Thank God for French Cinema
The French Film Festival brings a certain je ne sais quoi back to Bíó Paradís Back in the dark ages…
When Danes Become Americans: A True Story
What happens when tens of thousands of inhabitants are transferred from Danish sovereignty to the US? Well, I am glad…
That Other Time the U.S. Bought a Danish Colony
In 1917, the United States purchased Denmark’s Caribbean colonies, marking a shift in Denmark’s diminished global influence. Once a major colonial power, Denmark had lost key territories over the 19th century. During World War II, Greenland and Iceland became vital for US military strategy, solidifying American presence in the region. Greenland later gained self-rule, while Iceland became fully independent.
How To Get Away With Murder: The Tale of Erik the Red’s Discovery of Greenland
You know the Sagas. They’re about Icelanders, right? Well, there’s also the Grænlendinga saga (the Saga of the Greenlanders), which…
RIFF Roundup: An Exploration Of Ukrainian War & Norwegian Therapy
What one sees during the second half of a festival is often more determined by contingency than design. I had…
RIFF Roundup: Searching for Superstars
Everyone had their theory about what was up with Nastassja Kinski. Her masterclass in the Nordic House seemed like an…
What If The Nazis Had Invaded Iceland?
Another alternative history thought exercise to wrap your head around What if? It’s a pretty open-ended question and one friend…
What If The Nordic Countries Had United?
What if? It’s a pretty open-ended question and one friend of the Grapevine Valur Gunnarsson is applying to eight relevant-to-Iceland…
What If There Had Been a Revolution in Iceland?
What if? It’s a pretty open-ended question and one friend of the Grapevine Valur Gunnarsson is applying to eight relevant-to-Iceland…
What If… Iceland Had Joined The British Empire?
What if? It’s a pretty open-ended question and one friend of the Grapevine Valur Gunnarsson is applying to eight relevant-to-Iceland…
What If… Iceland Had Been Wiped Out By A Volcano?
What if? It’s a pretty open-ended question and one friend of the Grapevine Valur Gunnarsson is applying to eight relevant-to-Iceland…
What If… Icelanders Had Colonised North America?
What if? It’s a pretty open-ended question and one friend of the Grapevine Valur Gunnarsson is applying to eight relevant-to-Iceland…
What If… The Vikings Had Conquered The World?
What if? It’s a pretty open-ended question and one friend of the Grapevine Valur Gunnarsson is applying to eight relevant-to-Iceland…
Blue Skies and Lumbering Whales: Landlubber finds whale watching heaven
It was a cold, crisp November day. The sea was mostly still and, even rarer for Iceland in autumn, the…
Velvet Terrorism Will Save The World
The opening of the Pussy Riot concert at the National Theatre is almost unbearably sad. When Putin was first appointed…
Food Review: The Greenhouse
by Valur Grettisson and Valur Gunnarsson
Hveragerði is an odd town, occupying a strange space in the hearts of elder millennials and Gen Xers. The town,…
A Half-Elvish Film Festival: The Skjaldborg Film Festival Reviewed
One might be forgiven for thinking that some sort of elven curse was placed upon this year’s Skjaldborg Film Festival….
Dystopian Iceland… As Usual: Iceland & The End Of The World In Hollywood
So the Apocalypse is upon us and we are all wondering what it will look like. For Iceland, it’s business…
Echo: The Nightmare Before and During Christmas
One of the first scenes in ‘Echo’ seems rather familiar in the context of Icelandic cinema. Man returns to the…
The City Across the Bay: ‘Agnes Joy’ Explores Teenage Life In Far-Off Suburbia
by Valur Gunnarsson and Andie Sophia Fontaine
Director Silja Hauksdóttir emerged as a director in 2003 with the charming ‘Dís,’ based on a novel she co-wrote. After…
An Unusual Year in Icelandic Cinema As Usual
It‘s been a good year for Icelandic cinema with 66 films accepted into international film festivals. This ranges from classic…