Food & Drink Mar 20, 2013
Icelandic Film Scene Makes an Impressive Comeback
The Icelandic film scene is bouncing back according to The Hollywood Reporter, which reports that ticket revenues increased by 2.7 percent in 2012 to $8.1 million in sales.
Homegrown films have been crucial in securing Iceland a respectable 10.5 percent of the national box office last year.
Over the past year, there have been many movies both filmed on location in Iceland and created by Icelandic film directors that account for the Icelandic film scene's rise in popularity. Here is a recap of where these Icelandic-related films are now:
Prometheus:
Also captured on location in Iceland, Prometheus is a science fiction film directed by Ridley Scott in 2012. The film, which features several well-known actors including Charlize Theron and Noomi Rapace, takes place in the 21st century and follows a spaceship crew as they follow a star map discovered among the artifacts of ancient cultures. Searching to find the origins of humanity, the crew arrives on a distant world to find themselves facing a threat that could lead to the extinction of the human race entirely.
Noah:
Set to be released in March of 2014, Noah is a biblical epic film that stars many skilled actors such as Russell Crowe, Anthony Hopkins, Emma Watson and more. This film follows Noah, who possesses divine visions that foretell the end of the world. Noah tries to warn people about their mistreatment of the earth in order to save both the people and the world. Yet not one listens to his warnings, and Noah and his family are left to fend for themselves in the wilderness. In the wilderness, Noah meets a race of giant six-armed angels known as the Watchers and he rallies them to join his cause.
Thor: The Dark World:
Taking place one year after The Avengers, Thor: The Dark World shows Thor in his battle to save all of the Nine Realms from a mysterious ancient enemy. Thor's attempts are thwarted by a race led by Malekith, who is out for revenge and wants to plunge the universe into darkness. Thor must reunite with Jane Foster to complete his dangerous journey that will end in him making the ultimate sacrifice. This film is set to be released in November of 2013 and it is filmed on location in Iceland.
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty:
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is a film about a timid magazine photo manager who lives life vicariously through his daydreams and he embarks on a true-life adventure when a negative goes missing. This film stars Ben Stiller, Sean Penn, Kristen Wiig, Shirley MacLaine and other acclaimed actors. The release for this film is set for December 2013, and similar to the other films, the filming also took place on location in Iceland.
Game of Thrones:
The popular HBO series Game of Thrones is an epic fantasy television show that is set in the fictional continents of Westeros and Essos, and follows the members of several noble houses in a civil war for the Iron Throne of the Seven Kingdoms. An additional plot line covers the rising threat of the impending winter and the mythical creatures of the North. Lastly, a third storyline chronicles the attempts of the exiled last scion of the realm's deposed dynasty to reclaim the throne. The third season is set to premiere on March 31st, 2013 and a majority of the filming takes place in Iceland.
Oblivion:
Filmed in Iceland, Oblivion is a science fiction film based on the graphic novel Oblivion and features Tom Cruise, Morgan Freeman as well as other acclaimed actors. The film is set in 2073 and follows a former Marine Commander Jack Harper who is stationed at one of the last few drone repairmen stations at Earth, which was almost destroyed by an alien invasion 60 years ago. During his mission Jack rescues a 22-year-old female stranger who triggers a series of events that forces him to question everything he knows about the war and its aftermath. Oblivion is slated to be released in April of 2013. Click here to watch a behind-the-scenes video of Oblivion being filmed in Iceland!
Faust:
Released in 2011, the film Faust is set in the 19th century and is an interpretation of a German legend in which a man sells his soul to the devil in exchange for knowledge. While the dialogue is in German, some of the filming was done on location in Iceland. Faust premiered at the 68th Venice International Film Festival where it received the Golden Lion award.
Nova Zembla:
Nova Zembla is a Dutch historical drama film that was directed by Reinout Oerlemans in 2011. Filmed in Iceland, this film chronicles the last journey of Willem Barentsz and Jacob van Heemskerk through 1596-1597 when their crew tried to unearth the North East passage to the Indies. Due to weather conditions, they are stranded on the island of Nova Zembla and are forced to spend their winter there.