12/07/2022 | 5:00 PM
For a population of only around 380,000 people, Iceland has an enormous creative output.
You may know Iceland's creativity from its renowned music scene, its genre-defying literature, or its cozy knitwear. Maybe you’ve come to know the country and its phenomenal landscapes through the movies and TV series made in Iceland by Icelanders, or thanks to the international productions filmed here (that landscape sure looks like outer space – but it really might be Iceland).
Let us introduce you to the local film industry, and to the film and TV productions that make use of Iceland's landscapes. We want to show you how the spirit of Iceland shines through on the big screen, and behind the scenes too.
Films (and TV series) made in Iceland
This is a long list, and probably filed with some familiar names and landscapes: from 'The Secret Life of Walter Mitty', in which Iceland stood in for Greenland and Nepal, to 'Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga', in which Will Ferrell plays an Icelandic musician aiming for Eurovision glory.
There have been Bond car chases on Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, World War II battle re-enactments on the black sands of Reykjanes, and a lot of Icelandic landscapes standing in for alien planets or post-apocalyptic earth.
Plus there are endless icy escapades: 'Interstellar' utilised Icelandic glaciers, as did 'Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens', and 'Batman Begins'. And who can overlook the boon is tourism from Iceland starring as the ‘Land Beyond the Wall’ in 'Game of Thrones', with added locations including iconic Kirkjufell and Skógafoss waterfall?
Read more about the movies and TV series filmed on location in Iceland at the following resources:
Film in Iceland – a great list of productions, plus locations
The Hollywood sights of Iceland – a handy overview from Visit Iceland
This is a long list, and probably filed with some familiar names and landscapes: from 'The Secret Life of Walter Mitty', in which Iceland stood in for Greenland and Nepal, to 'Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga', in which Will Ferrell plays an Icelandic musician aiming for Eurovision glory.
There have been Bond car chases on Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, World War II battle re-enactments on the black sands of Reykjanes, and a lot of Icelandic landscapes standing in for alien planets or post-apocalyptic earth.
Plus there are endless icy escapades: 'Interstellar' utilised Icelandic glaciers, as did 'Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens', and 'Batman Begins'. And who can overlook the boon is tourism from Iceland starring as the ‘Land Beyond the Wall’ in 'Game of Thrones', with added locations including iconic Kirkjufell and Skógafoss waterfall?
Read more about the movies and TV series filmed on location in Iceland at the following resources:
Film in Iceland – a great list of productions, plus locations
The Hollywood sights of Iceland – a handy overview from Visit Iceland
,Do you fancy a deep dive into Icelandic cinema? Here's a list of recommendations, running the gamut from modern arthouse to nostalgic classics beloved by locals.
A database of Icelandic movies is run by the Icelandic Film Centre, whose website is a mine of information. There you can find more information on how to watch each film.
- 101 Reykjavík (2000)
- A White, White Day (2019; in Icelandic 'Hvítur, hvítur dagur')
- Angels of the Universe (2000; in Icelandic 'Englar alheimsins')
- Children of Nature (1991; in Icelandic 'Börn náttúrunnar')
- Jar City (2006; in Icelandic 'Mýrin')
- Lamb (2021; in Icelandic 'Dýrið')
- Life in a Fishbowl (2014; in Icelandic 'Vonarstræti')
- Noi the Albino (2003; in Icelandic 'Nói albínói')
- Of Horses and Men (2013; in Icelandic 'Hross í oss')
- Rams (2015; in Icelandic 'Hrútar')
- Remote Control (1992; in Icelandic Sódóma Reykjavík')
- Stella on Holiday, also known as The Icelandic Shock Station (1986; in Icelandic 'Stella í orlofi')
- The Deep (2012; in Icelandic 'Djúpið')
- Woman at War (2018; in Icelandic 'Kona fer í stríð')
Meet a handful of the bigger names in local movie-making.
,Here's a little about the talented movie-making Icelanders we spoke to:
Actor Ingvar E. Sigurðsson might be recognized for roles in local and international productions, spanning from big-name movies ‘Everest’ (2015) to ‘The Northman’ (2022). He is a lead in the acclaimed Icelandic-Danish movie ‘Godland’, directed by Hlynur Pálmason.
Ingvar has been cast in a number of films made by prolific Icelandic producer/writer/director Baltasar Kormákur, whose projects range across film, television and theater. Baltasar has founded a large studio in Reykjavík in order to bring more international productions to Iceland.
Ísold Uggadóttir is an award-winning director and screenwriter, whose feature film debut, 'And Breathe Normally' (2018) premiered at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival, where she received the Directing Award in World Cinema Dramatic Competition.
Benedikt Erlingsson directed well-known local movies 'Woman at War' (2018) and Of Horses and Men' (2013), stories rich in Icelandic lore. Benedikt directed actress Halldóra Geirharðsdóttir in the lead role of 'Woman at War'.
Producer Lilja Ósk Snorradóttir has worked in the film industry for more than 20 years and is managing director of the production company Pegasus Pictures.
And let’s not forget the remarkable people making music for film. Icelanders have developed a stellar reputation for film and TV scores thanks to award-winning talents like Atli Örvarsson and Hildur Guðnadóttir (pictured below). Hildur's score for 'Joker' (2019) saw her become Iceland's first Oscar-winner.