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A wealth of world cinema hit the screens during the 22 Reykjavik International Film Festival (RIFF) which wrapped on October 5. Led by founder and director Hrönn Marinósdóttir and program director Fréderic Boyer, the 10-day event offered audiences a unique look at film history through its blend of new festival hits and a stream of visiting auteurs.
The opening night selection of "Kim Novak's Vertigo," a documentary by Alexandre O. Philippe, set the tone for interrogating cinema's past. Unfortunately, Hollywood icon Novak was ill and could not attend, but a lineup of contemporary filmmakers such as Anton Corbijn, Mohsen Makhmalbaf, Apichatpong Weerasethakul and Ursula Meier, known for carving out their own unique path, introduced some of their past titles and conducted masterclasses.
Five films came directly from their Venice premieres, with France's Olivier Assayas making a whirlwind 24-hour trip to present his latest, "The Wizard of the Kremlin."
Focus country Switzerland served up more than a dozen titles. Directors such as Lionel Baier ("The Safe House") , Klaudia Reynicke ("Queens") and the adorable identical Zürcher twins, Ramon and Silvan ("The Strange Little Cat," "The Girl and the Spider," "The Sparrow in the Chimney" joined Ursula Meier ("Sister," "Home") to show off the diversity of their homeland's offerings and languages.
In addition to Iceland's unusual scenery and singular cuisine, RIFF guests were pleased to find iconic locals such as musician Björk and filmmaker Fridrik Thor Fridriksson attending screenings and social events. Director-writer Marziyeh Meshkini was thrilled to find that the aforementioned singer even stayed for the Q&A following her Iran-made film "The Day I Became A Woman."
The festival also showcased Icelandic filmmakers. Between features and shorts, Marinósdóttir notes that some 34 Icelandic titles screened. Among them, screening for the first time domestically after picking up multiple prizes at international fests, was Yrsa Roca Fannberg's tender and meditative documentary "The Ground Beneath Our Feet," set in a Reykjavik care home.
Screenings in unconventional settings are part of the festival's tradition. This year, for the brave, "cave-ins" brought showings of a family film and a claustrophobic classic, "The Descent," to the Raufarhólshellir Lava Tunnel.
For those who preferred a more conventional movie-going experience, the main screening rooms strategically located near the university campus targeted a young audience. Meanwhile, plenty of student filmmakers turned out for panels and masterclasses at the stunning Alvar Aalto-designed Nordic House.
In the New Visions competition for first- and second-time features, Spanish helmer Jaume Claret Muxart nabbed the Golden Puffin for his lyrical coming-of-age film that captures the discovery of desire. The jurors of the A Different Tomorrow strand, highlighting work that responds to the challenges of the time, honored the documentary "Mr. Nobody Against Putin" for revealing the massive propaganda machine the Russian leadership uses to deceive the population.
In closing, Marinósdóttir said, "We are satisfied of the results of this year's edition, bringing together industry from all over the world to meet the Icelandic industry. It gives us the strength and courage to continue our work."