Reykjavik Int. Film Festival

Hrönn Marinósdóttir is RIFF's founder and festival director. She's a film fanatic extremely interested in building up a better film culture in Iceland and has been organizing film festivals in Reykjavík for a few years.

How was Reykjavík International Film Festival born?

It was born out of a very monotonous film culture prevailing in Iceland and knowing the audience demanded better quality than what was offered.

Why did you think it was a good idea to start a film festival in Reykjavík?

If you think about it, Reykjavík has everything a city needs to become a good festival-site. Its the location, just between Europe and North America, its the number of good movie theatres, its all the other activities… beautiful nature, great wining and dining, a thriving arts and culture scene. The list goes on.

What sets RIFF apart from other international film festivals?

Its the enchanting environment and fitting location. But our program is also a unique blend with an emphasis on up-and-coming talent. You cant find a festival like this anywhere in the world.

What is the state of film culture in Iceland?

Filmmaking is growing up a bit, if slowly. But the selection in Icelandic cinemas is a shame, to say the least. If one is interested in something, well, not completely mainstream, youre not going to find it.

Is there a special emphasis at this years RIFF?

As always we emphasize young, fresh, visionary cinema not afraid to experiment with or take cinema to the next level, visually or thematically. Also, our section Horizon focuses on one nation every year, and this year its Danish cinema. Were going further in our combination of art forms; last year we had an exhibition of Abbas Kiarostamis photographs, and this year Benni Hemm Hemm will perform a score to a Swedish film based on an Icelandic play, and Daft Punks Thomas Bangalter will DJ at NASA.

Why isn't there an independent cinema in Reykjavík?

Good question. Theres definitely a market for such a cinema, and our sources tell us that Tjarnarbíó will become a centre for independent cinema in the coming months... stay tuned!

Why do you think there is so much focus on Hollywood in Icelandic cinemas?

Its the easy way out for distributors and theatre owners. When you just take what the corporate production companies hand down to you without giving it any thought, youre not going to get a quality program. Hollywood production doesnt aim to enlighten or start a train of thought and I think Icelandic theatre owners are underestimating Icelandic audience.

Do you believe a film festival in Reykjavík can to grow to an international scale?

Definitely. This year, we've doubled our number of guests compared to last year and are expecting around 200 guests from abroad directors, actors, producers, journalists and tourists. Filmmakers such as Baltasar Kormákur and Dagur Kári have spawned interest in Icelandic film culture with a younger generation and this is starting to show. Just look at Iceland Airwaves; in less than a decade its managed to become a fixed point on the music festival calendar, and I can't see why the same shouldn't go for RIFF.

"Quite simply, in my humble opinion as a minor vet on the festival circuit, this event has instantly become one of my favourites. Of course the lure of Iceland and its eccentric beauty helps, but Reykjavík's residents seem to have embraced the event, filling many of the fest's screenings." Brian Brooks, IndieWire 2005

Do you think this year's festival will live up to Brian Brooks's expectations?

Most definitely! Our program is even stronger than last year, and the public is more aware of the festival. I'm positive that the atmosphere this year will be even better than last year, and the same goes for attendance.

What are you most looking forward to when the festival begins?

Seeing all these thousands of hours of hard work materialize, of course, but also to be able to sit down and see a good movie, to be able to watch the city go dark and the sky light up, to meet some of the most important names in contemporary cinema... the list goes on and on and on.

hannabjork@reykjavik.com