Offering a singular perspective on Russia’s current pariah status in much of the world is Gaukur Ulfarsson’s “Soviet Barbara,” probably the most enjoyable — as opposed to depressing — documentary involving the invasion of Ukraine you’re likely to see. It focuses on Icelandic multimedia artist Ragnar Kjartansson’s preparation for exhibits that would open a major new museum in Moscow.
That launch proves fatefully ill-timed in terms of larger events, however, even as his splashiest custom creation provides ironic commentary on recent Russian history by reprising an American TV soap opera that had been an unlikely imported smash in the nation’s immediate post-ussr years. The colorful intersection between art, ideology, patronage and politics should appeal to a wide range of nonfiction outlets and programmers.
The power of art to enflame emotions is illustrated straight off by Kjartansson’s discussion of a famous 19th-century oil by Ilya Repin that...
That launch proves fatefully ill-timed in terms of larger events, however, even as his splashiest custom creation provides ironic commentary on recent Russian history by reprising an American TV soap opera that had been an unlikely imported smash in the nation’s immediate post-ussr years. The colorful intersection between art, ideology, patronage and politics should appeal to a wide range of nonfiction outlets and programmers.
The power of art to enflame emotions is illustrated straight off by Kjartansson’s discussion of a famous 19th-century oil by Ilya Repin that...
- 4/30/2023
- by Dennis Harvey
- Variety Film + TV
LevelK has sold the Icelandic vampire splatter comedy Thirst to several territories including North American following its market premiere at the European Film Market, reports Variety. Thirst, directed by Gaukur Úlfarsson and Steinþór Hróar Steinþórsson, takes place in a small town where evil is lurking around and strange crimes and brutality frequently occur. The movie was jointly acquired by Uncork’d […]...
- 3/13/2020
- by Brad Miska
- bloody-disgusting.com
LevelK has sold Icelandic vampire splatter comedy “Thirst” to several territories including North America following its market premiere at the European Film Market.
Directed by Gaukur Úlfarsson and Steinþór Hróar Steinþórsson, the movie was jointly acquired by Uncork’d Entertainment and Dark Star Pictures for North American distribution, as well as Njutafilms for Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland and Estin Film for Estonia.
“Thirst,” which world premiered at the Nordic Film Market of the Goteborg Film Festival, takes place in a small town where evil is lurking and strange crimes and brutality frequently occur. The film follows Hulda, a woman suspected of being responsible for the death of her brother, Steindi, and is being investigated by the police. After being released from custody due to insufficient evidence, she has nowhere to turn.
Lingering around in the cold, she befriends an elderly man who turns out to be a 1,000-year-old, single and...
Directed by Gaukur Úlfarsson and Steinþór Hróar Steinþórsson, the movie was jointly acquired by Uncork’d Entertainment and Dark Star Pictures for North American distribution, as well as Njutafilms for Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland and Estin Film for Estonia.
“Thirst,” which world premiered at the Nordic Film Market of the Goteborg Film Festival, takes place in a small town where evil is lurking and strange crimes and brutality frequently occur. The film follows Hulda, a woman suspected of being responsible for the death of her brother, Steindi, and is being investigated by the police. After being released from custody due to insufficient evidence, she has nowhere to turn.
Lingering around in the cold, she befriends an elderly man who turns out to be a 1,000-year-old, single and...
- 3/13/2020
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
LevelK has boarded the Icelandic gay vampire movie “Thirst” which will be world premiere at the Goteborg Film Festival and screen at the Nordic Film Market.
“Thirst” directed by Gaukur Úlfarsson and Steinþór Hróar Steinþórsson, takes place in a small town where evil is lurking around and strange crimes and brutality frequently occur. The film follows Hulda, a woman who is suspected of being responsible for the death of her brother, Steindi, and is being nvestigated by the police. After being released from custody due to insufficient evidence, she has nowhere to turn to.
Lingering around in the cold, she befriends an elderly man who turns out to be a 1,000-year old, single and gay vampire who brings her brother to life, leading to terrible consequences.
“‘Thirst’ is totally unexpected, and one of the most entertaining and lively in-house screenings LevelK has ever had!,” said LevelK’s CEO and managing director Tine Klint.
“Thirst” directed by Gaukur Úlfarsson and Steinþór Hróar Steinþórsson, takes place in a small town where evil is lurking around and strange crimes and brutality frequently occur. The film follows Hulda, a woman who is suspected of being responsible for the death of her brother, Steindi, and is being nvestigated by the police. After being released from custody due to insufficient evidence, she has nowhere to turn to.
Lingering around in the cold, she befriends an elderly man who turns out to be a 1,000-year old, single and gay vampire who brings her brother to life, leading to terrible consequences.
“‘Thirst’ is totally unexpected, and one of the most entertaining and lively in-house screenings LevelK has ever had!,” said LevelK’s CEO and managing director Tine Klint.
- 1/30/2020
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
New films by Thomas Vinterberg, Charlotte Blom and Jonas Poher Rasmussen will be presented at the Goteborg Film Festival’s Nordic Film Market. In total, 16 films in post-production will be presented to industry participants in at the Nordic Film Market as part of the Work-in-Progress section. Half of the lineup is made up of first features.
Cia Edström, the head of the Nordic Film Market, said the industry showcase is seeing a big increase in participation this year. As many as 381 attendees from 25 countries so far have signed up for the event, including 37 sales agents, 67 festival programmers and 47 buyers. Edström noted the breadth and diversity of films and projects in this year’s program.
Vinterberg’s next film, “Another Round” is a modern drama starring Mads Mikkelsen. Represented in international markets by TrustNordisk, the film follows a group of high school teachers who embark on an experiment to be intoxicated...
Cia Edström, the head of the Nordic Film Market, said the industry showcase is seeing a big increase in participation this year. As many as 381 attendees from 25 countries so far have signed up for the event, including 37 sales agents, 67 festival programmers and 47 buyers. Edström noted the breadth and diversity of films and projects in this year’s program.
Vinterberg’s next film, “Another Round” is a modern drama starring Mads Mikkelsen. Represented in international markets by TrustNordisk, the film follows a group of high school teachers who embark on an experiment to be intoxicated...
- 1/16/2020
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
In case you haven't heard, the economy hasn't been doing that well for the past few years. No country has felt the economic crisis so keenly as Iceland, where the collapse of a once-soaring economy left citizens feeling betrayed by their politicians. Against this backdrop rose an unlikely political hero: Jón Gnarr, the comedian who ran for mayor of Reykjavík as a joke… and won. His campaign—in which he promised to build a Disneyland in the city and refused to talk to his opponents if they hadn't watched "The Wire"—was filmed, from start to finish, by Gaukur Úlfarsson for his feature documentary Gnarr.
- 2/9/2012
- MovieMaker.com
Focus World, Focus Features' online digital distributor, has announced its slate for early 2012. Among the films to be available for on-demand viewing are James Franco's Hart Crane biopic "The Broken Tower," Gaukur Úlfarsson’s political documentary "Gnarr," and Liza Johnson's small-town war drama "Return" starring Linda Cardellini and Michael Shannon. Also, Focus World will release several of its current titles on DVD in the first quarter of 2012, including Alma Har’el’s "Bombay Beach," Jon Foy’s "Resurrect Dead," and Toniko Melo’s "VIPs." Full press release below: New York, December 19th, 2011 – Focus World, the unique digital distribution initiative owned and operated by Focus Features, has closed deals on its slate for the first quarter of 2012. The announcement was made today by Focus President Andrew Karpen. The deals were closed by Avy Eschenasy,...
- 12/19/2011
- Indiewire
New York, December 19th, 2011 – Focus World, the unique digital distribution initiative owned and operated by Focus Features, has closed deals on its slate for the first quarter of 2012. The announcement was made today by Focus President Andrew Karpen. The deals were closed by Avy Eschenasy, Executive Vice President, Strategic Planning, Business Affairs and Acquisitions, with Manager, Digital Content Kent Sanderson. The new Focus World selections include The Broken Tower, directed by Academy Award-nominated actor James Franco, which will be released digitally on January 10th; Gaukur Úlfarsson’s documentary feature Gnarr, which will be released February 7th; and Liza Johnson’s Return, which will be released February 28th. Launched earlier this year, Focus World identifies and curates the most exciting voices in international and independent cinema. Part of Focus Features’ multi-platform strategy, Focus World presents titles of genuine vision and originality as premiere releases on Est, iVOD, and VOD, along with DVD and other formats.
- 12/19/2011
- by MIKE FLEMING
- Deadline
By Sam Weisberg - April 26, 2011
Gaukur Úlfarsson's documentary "Gnarr" follows the efforts of Jón Gnarr, an Icelandic comedian/TV show actor/perpetual goofball, to become Mayor of Reykjavik. A brief prologue provides a glimpse, as did "Inside Job," into the 2008 financial crisis in Iceland, in which the country's three largest banks collapsed and were subsequently nationalized, leading to a still ongoing recession. The government took its fair share of the blame, and Iceland, it seems, is holding out for a hero.
In 2009, Gnarr launched his own platform, the Best Party, initially as a joke. In promotional webcasts, in TV ads, even at public forums, he called for a variety of reforms that wouldn't normally be prioritized by "serious" politicians. Among them: instead of shooting stray polar bears, put them in the zoo; build a Disneyworld at the airport; and don't allow anyone into politics that hasn't seen "The Wire" in its entirety.
Gaukur Úlfarsson's documentary "Gnarr" follows the efforts of Jón Gnarr, an Icelandic comedian/TV show actor/perpetual goofball, to become Mayor of Reykjavik. A brief prologue provides a glimpse, as did "Inside Job," into the 2008 financial crisis in Iceland, in which the country's three largest banks collapsed and were subsequently nationalized, leading to a still ongoing recession. The government took its fair share of the blame, and Iceland, it seems, is holding out for a hero.
In 2009, Gnarr launched his own platform, the Best Party, initially as a joke. In promotional webcasts, in TV ads, even at public forums, he called for a variety of reforms that wouldn't normally be prioritized by "serious" politicians. Among them: instead of shooting stray polar bears, put them in the zoo; build a Disneyworld at the airport; and don't allow anyone into politics that hasn't seen "The Wire" in its entirety.
- 4/25/2011
- by Screen Comment
- Screen Comment
Reviewed by Randee Dawn
(April 2011, screening at the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival)
Directed by: Gaukur Úlfarsson
Featuring: Jón Gnarr
Some say politics are a joke. But it takes real cojones to actually elect a comedian.
Meet Jón Gnarr, a former punk musician-turned-comedian who resembles a younger Eddie Izzard (sans makeup) and until recently was best known in his native Iceland for his edgy, satirical humor. (This is a guy who will do a faux commercial for an album of Adolph Hitler’s love songs.) But following his country’s financial meltdown in 2008, he came up with his biggest joke yet: the Best Party, a political organization that would help him run for local office in Reykjavik. Qualifications? As he states in a webcam video, Gnarr can drive a truck, nearly earned his maritime license and once worked in a mental ward.
That works. So he builds his campaign on ridiculous promises,...
(April 2011, screening at the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival)
Directed by: Gaukur Úlfarsson
Featuring: Jón Gnarr
Some say politics are a joke. But it takes real cojones to actually elect a comedian.
Meet Jón Gnarr, a former punk musician-turned-comedian who resembles a younger Eddie Izzard (sans makeup) and until recently was best known in his native Iceland for his edgy, satirical humor. (This is a guy who will do a faux commercial for an album of Adolph Hitler’s love songs.) But following his country’s financial meltdown in 2008, he came up with his biggest joke yet: the Best Party, a political organization that would help him run for local office in Reykjavik. Qualifications? As he states in a webcam video, Gnarr can drive a truck, nearly earned his maritime license and once worked in a mental ward.
That works. So he builds his campaign on ridiculous promises,...
- 4/17/2011
- by admin
- Moving Pictures Magazine
Reviewed by Randee Dawn
(April 2011, screening at the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival)
Directed by: Gaukur Úlfarsson
Featuring: Jón Gnarr
Some say politics are a joke. But it takes real cojones to actually elect a comedian.
Meet Jón Gnarr, a former punk musician-turned-comedian who resembles a younger Eddie Izzard (sans makeup) and until recently was best known in his native Iceland for his edgy, satirical humor. (This is a guy who will do a faux commercial for an album of Adolph Hitler’s love songs.) But following his country’s financial meltdown in 2008, he came up with his biggest joke yet: the Best Party, a political organization that would help him run for local office in Reykjavik. Qualifications? As he states in a webcam video, Gnarr can drive a truck, nearly earned his maritime license and once worked in a mental ward.
That works. So he builds his campaign on ridiculous promises,...
(April 2011, screening at the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival)
Directed by: Gaukur Úlfarsson
Featuring: Jón Gnarr
Some say politics are a joke. But it takes real cojones to actually elect a comedian.
Meet Jón Gnarr, a former punk musician-turned-comedian who resembles a younger Eddie Izzard (sans makeup) and until recently was best known in his native Iceland for his edgy, satirical humor. (This is a guy who will do a faux commercial for an album of Adolph Hitler’s love songs.) But following his country’s financial meltdown in 2008, he came up with his biggest joke yet: the Best Party, a political organization that would help him run for local office in Reykjavik. Qualifications? As he states in a webcam video, Gnarr can drive a truck, nearly earned his maritime license and once worked in a mental ward.
That works. So he builds his campaign on ridiculous promises,...
- 4/17/2011
- by admin
- Moving Pictures Network
In 2009, silver-tongued satirist Jon Gnarr formed a punk political party and ran for mayor of Reykjavik. His Best Party, made up of members with no background in politics, campaigned by parodying the Icelandic government, largely for the country's economic meltdown. But as the Best Party pulled ahead in the polls, what started as a joke snowballed into the election of a comedian. Lucky for us, filmmaker Gaukur Úlfarsson caught the whole hoax on camera. Tribeca: How long had you known Jon? What inspired you to document his campaign for mayor of Reykjavik? Gaukur Úlfarsson: I had not known Jon personally for more than one year. I obviously had known of him from his work and was a huge fan, but we met formally at a dinner party at a mutual friend's place and got along really well. After that, we spoke almost every day and started working on writing...
- 3/14/2011
- TribecaFilm.com
Tribeca Film Festival has announced the line up of this years competition categories, including World Narrative Feature, World Documentary Feature, and the brand new Viewpoints which highlights eleven independent features and nine documentaries.
Tribeca Film Festival is one of leading film festivals located in New York City, showcasing many films not screened in any other U.S. film festival along with forty three world premieres and fifty four directorial debuts. Cameron Crowe’s premier of his concert documentary, The Union, will start the festival followed by a performance by Elton John. The rest of the lineup will be announced March 14th, and look out for coverage of the festival in April. Below you can find the complete press release on the lineup.
10th Tribeca Film Festival Announces World Narrative
And Documentary Competition Selections, And New Viewpoints Section
Tribeca Expands Awards Scope
2011 Festival to Present 88 Feature-Length and 61 Short Films April 20 – May...
Tribeca Film Festival is one of leading film festivals located in New York City, showcasing many films not screened in any other U.S. film festival along with forty three world premieres and fifty four directorial debuts. Cameron Crowe’s premier of his concert documentary, The Union, will start the festival followed by a performance by Elton John. The rest of the lineup will be announced March 14th, and look out for coverage of the festival in April. Below you can find the complete press release on the lineup.
10th Tribeca Film Festival Announces World Narrative
And Documentary Competition Selections, And New Viewpoints Section
Tribeca Expands Awards Scope
2011 Festival to Present 88 Feature-Length and 61 Short Films April 20 – May...
- 3/9/2011
- by Christopher Clemente
- SoundOnSight
The 2011 Tribeca Film Festival (April 20-May 1) on Monday announced the first 44 feature films of the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival slate, comprising the World Narrative and Documentary Competition film selections, and one new section: Viewpoints.
In a record year for submissions, the 2011 film slate was chosen from a field of 5,624 entries. Tff 2011 will include feature films from 32 countries, including 43 world premieres, 10 international premieres, 19 North American premieres, seven U.S. Premieres and nine New York premieres.
“It’s our 10th Tribeca Film Festival, and in our relatively brief existence we have evolved dramatically,” said Tff executive director Nancy Schafer in a statement. “The festival has become an integral part of the cultural landscape of New York City as well as a globally recognized platform for storytelling.”
A complete list of the films announced Monday follows, with descriptions provided by the festival.
World Narrative Features
“Angel’s Crest”
Directed by Gaby Dellal
Written by Catherine Trieschmann
(UK,...
In a record year for submissions, the 2011 film slate was chosen from a field of 5,624 entries. Tff 2011 will include feature films from 32 countries, including 43 world premieres, 10 international premieres, 19 North American premieres, seven U.S. Premieres and nine New York premieres.
“It’s our 10th Tribeca Film Festival, and in our relatively brief existence we have evolved dramatically,” said Tff executive director Nancy Schafer in a statement. “The festival has become an integral part of the cultural landscape of New York City as well as a globally recognized platform for storytelling.”
A complete list of the films announced Monday follows, with descriptions provided by the festival.
World Narrative Features
“Angel’s Crest”
Directed by Gaby Dellal
Written by Catherine Trieschmann
(UK,...
- 3/7/2011
- by admin
- Moving Pictures Magazine
The 2011 Tribeca Film Festival (April 20-May 1) on Monday announced the first 44 feature films of the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival slate, comprising the World Narrative and Documentary Competition film selections, and one new section: Viewpoints.
In a record year for submissions, the 2011 film slate was chosen from a field of 5,624 entries. Tff 2011 will include feature films from 32 countries, including 43 world premieres, 10 international premieres, 19 North American premieres, seven U.S. Premieres and nine New York premieres.
“It’s our 10th Tribeca Film Festival, and in our relatively brief existence we have evolved dramatically,” said Tff executive director Nancy Schafer in a statement. “The festival has become an integral part of the cultural landscape of New York City as well as a globally recognized platform for storytelling.”
A complete list of the films announced Monday follows, with descriptions provided by the festival.
World Narrative Features
“Angel’s Crest”
Directed by Gaby Dellal
Written by Catherine Trieschmann
(UK,...
In a record year for submissions, the 2011 film slate was chosen from a field of 5,624 entries. Tff 2011 will include feature films from 32 countries, including 43 world premieres, 10 international premieres, 19 North American premieres, seven U.S. Premieres and nine New York premieres.
“It’s our 10th Tribeca Film Festival, and in our relatively brief existence we have evolved dramatically,” said Tff executive director Nancy Schafer in a statement. “The festival has become an integral part of the cultural landscape of New York City as well as a globally recognized platform for storytelling.”
A complete list of the films announced Monday follows, with descriptions provided by the festival.
World Narrative Features
“Angel’s Crest”
Directed by Gaby Dellal
Written by Catherine Trieschmann
(UK,...
- 3/7/2011
- by admin
- Moving Pictures Network
By Sean O’Connell
Hollywoodnews.com: The 2011 Tribeca Film Festival revealed the World Narrative and Documentary Competition film selections for the 10th annual Tff, which will be held April 20 to May 1 in lower Manhattan.
In addition, Tff organizers unveiled the first edition of the new section — Viewpoints.
Forty-four of the 88 feature-length films that will screen during the fest have been announced. Much more information on each title can be found below.
“It’s our tenth Tribeca Film Festival, and in our relatively brief existence we have evolved dramatically,” said Nancy Schafer, Executive Director of the Tribeca Film Festival. “The Festival has become an integral part of the cultural landscape of New York City as well as a globally recognized platform for storytelling.”
So what will screen at Tribeca this year? In part, the following:
World Narrative Feature Competition
· Angels Crest, directed by Gaby Dellal, written by Catherine Trieschmann. (UK, Canada) – World Premiere.
Hollywoodnews.com: The 2011 Tribeca Film Festival revealed the World Narrative and Documentary Competition film selections for the 10th annual Tff, which will be held April 20 to May 1 in lower Manhattan.
In addition, Tff organizers unveiled the first edition of the new section — Viewpoints.
Forty-four of the 88 feature-length films that will screen during the fest have been announced. Much more information on each title can be found below.
“It’s our tenth Tribeca Film Festival, and in our relatively brief existence we have evolved dramatically,” said Nancy Schafer, Executive Director of the Tribeca Film Festival. “The Festival has become an integral part of the cultural landscape of New York City as well as a globally recognized platform for storytelling.”
So what will screen at Tribeca this year? In part, the following:
World Narrative Feature Competition
· Angels Crest, directed by Gaby Dellal, written by Catherine Trieschmann. (UK, Canada) – World Premiere.
- 3/7/2011
- by Sean O'Connell
- Hollywoodnews.com
The Tribeca Film Festival announced selections for its World Narrative, World Documentary, and Viewpoints competitions at its 10th annual event, running from April 20 to May 1 in New York. Eighty-eight features (such as Angels Crest, with Jeremy Piven) and 61 short films from 32 different countries were selected from more than 5,600 submissions to screen at the festival. “In programming the Festival this year we had to make some incredibly difficult decisions, but we are excited about the quality, ingenuity, risk-taking and diversity of this year’s program,” David Kwok, Director of Programming, said in a statement. “We are particularly proud that we have...
- 3/7/2011
- by Jeff Labrecque
- EW - Inside Movies
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