Fri, Nov 22 / 7 pm
Sat, Nov 23 / 9 pm
Directed by Baldvin Zophoníasson
2014, Iceland/Finland/Sweden, 129 min
Icelandic with English subtitles
Introduced by Steve Gravestock
One of the country’s most successful domestic hits in recent memory, Life in a Fishbowl is rightly assuming its status as one of the key Icelandic films of the decade. Winner of 12 Edda Awards (Iceland’s Oscars) Baldvin Zophoniasson’s second feature transplants the interconnected multiple narrative model popularized by filmmakers like Robert Altman and Paul Thomas Anderson to Reykjavik with powerful and affecting results. A single mother struggling to make ends meet; a former athlete now trying to climb the corporate ladder; and a once-respected author turned full-time drunk. These three characters eventually intersect in surprising ways. Zophoníasson uses their stories to address pressing contemporary issues, including the kreppa (the 2008 financial crisis).
All screenings Nov. 21-23 introduced by curator Steve Gravestock, Senior Canadian and International programmer for Toronto International Film Festival.
Wayward Heroes: Modern Icelandic Cinema
Icelandic cinema is exploding around the world. Immediately following the triumph of black comedies like Rams at Cannes, films by directors such as Dagur Kári, Rúnar Rúnarsson, Hlynur Pálmason and Ísold Uggadóttir picked up prizes at major festivals around the world. Legendary TIFF programmer and writer Steve Gravestock is coming to Winnipeg for three days to launch a new book – History of Icelandic Film which explores the great riches of Icelandic cinema from the silent era to the present day. The sporadic production from the ‘20s to the ‘70s gave way to the “Icelandic Spring” of the ’80s, with international inroads being made in the ’90s. Magic-realist fables, bloody Viking epics, sardonic deadpan comedies, and hard-boiled Nordic noirs, a remarkable evolution from the ’80s to contemporary Iceland.
We gratefully acknowledge the support of Steve Gravestock of TIFF, Consulate General of Iceland, the Icelandic Embassy, Gimli Film Festival, and Frank Zappia, Zappia Group Realty.
