Program '09
Reykjavík International Film Festival (RIFF) unites it all: Screenings at downtown venues of a wide range of fresh films from the international film scene, midnight movies, concerts, fabulous parties as well as uncannily hip bars. RIFF will take place for the 6th time from September 17 th to the 27th this autumn. Around 100 movies will be shown, in diffrent categories with lots of special and unique side events.Two big events coincide Reykjavík International Film Festival and the Nordic Sound on Sight market this year demonstrating the melting point Iceland has become for creative industries. Firstly we have the International conference You Are In Control and secondly the nordic short films and documentaries' festival, Nordisk Panorama.
Categories 2009
New Visions:
Special Presentation:
This new section was created to accommodate a small number of films by wellknown film directors as well as films that have been distinguished by important awards at international film festivals. Among them Master Filmmaker Kira Muratova’s latest film, awarded the international critics’ award at the Moscow Festival, and Lars von Tries’ Antichrist, a provoking and breathtaking film which became a big topic of conversation at this year’s Cannes Festival. There is also the latest film by Jessica Hausner, one of the most important appearances at the recent Venice Film Festival.
Open Seas:
Docs in Focus:
In this category the most interesting documentaries of the film industry today are shown. The diverse selection this year is a good reflection of the growth in documentary making in recent years. Viewers have realised that documentaries are not just informative but also just as fun as other film art forms.
World Changes:
The world is changing more rapidly than ever, partly because of familiar problems such as poverty, partly because of newer ones such as global warming. Here viewers are presented with films about some of the issues that are threatening humanity.
Focus on Norway:
Norwegian directors have, for a very long time, been standing in the shadow of their Swedish and Danish colleagues. But not any more. Lately, Norwegian filmmakers have really proved their excellence. For that reason, RIFF has created a special Norwegian category for the most interesting films premiered this year.
Focus on Canada:
Canadian filmmakers and actors have been looking south of the border for fame and fortune. Directors such as David Cronenberg, Paul Haggis, James Cameron and Norman Jewison have all made it big time in the US; Cameron directing the highest grossing movie of all time, Titanic. You could talk about brain-drain except that it would be totally wrong to say that Canadian filmmaking was stumbling as a result. Some of the most interesting cinema in the world is being produced in Canada, and here you will get a glimpse of it.
Sound on Sight:
Reykjavík is known for its lively music scene and at RIFF we want to reflect that. A special music section is therefore presented for the second time. By hosting such an event we want to draw attention to what is happening in Iceland on the exciting boundaries of film and music, as well as bringing the best crossover works from around the world to Iceland. Special attention will be paid to American writer/director/composer Cory McAbee.
Spotlight on Cory McAbee:
Cory McAbee is best known as the writer/director/composer and lead actor of the award winning feature film, The American Astronaut. In 2007 McAbee was selected by the Sundance Film Festival to create one of five short films used to launch new advances in mobile phone technology/entertainment. The film that McAbee created, Reno, premiered February 2007 at the 3GSMA Convention in Barcelona and has become a worldwide favourite among mobile operators. McAbee has been the guest speaker on mobile film and small screen entertainment at various functions, is featured in the documentary film and book Mobile Planet/Connecting the World, has lectured at universities throughout the US and Europe and has taught a Master Class on filmmaking in Lisbon, Amsterdam, London and, now, Reykjavík. For over a decade McAbee has been the singer/songwriter for the musical group, The Billy Nayer Show. In January 2009 McAbee completed his second feature, Stingray Sam, which premiered at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival as part of the New Frontiers program. In addition to working with his new musical group, American Astronaut, McAbee has recently completed two original feature length screenplays that are currently being negotiated for production.
Spotlight On Joao Pedro Rodrigues:
João Pedro Rodrigues directed his first feature-length film, The Phantom, in 2000, dealing with homosexual affection and aimed at catering to the demands of a growing influence of gays and gay culture in Portugal. His second feature film, Two Drifters (2005), was presented at the Cannes Film Festival and won international acclaim. His most recent feature film is To Die Like a Man.
Youth Program:
Children have not been one of film producers’ main target groups, but RIFF’s program reflects that this is changing. Last year the emphasis was on documentaries for children but now we are widening the scope.
Midnight Movies:
The goal of RIFF’s Midnight Movie program is to shed light into the dark corners of cinema. Here you will find low-budget films, b-movies of all sorts, experimental works by eccentric directors and other pieces of alternative cinema that have in one way or another gained cult status. Not suitable for children.
Food on Film:
Food on Film is a new category being presented to you in collaboration with Slow Food: a non-profit, eco-gastronomic member-supported organisation that was founded in 1989 to counteract fast food and fast life, the disappearance of local food traditions and people’s dwindling interest in the food they eat, where it comes from, how it tastes and how our food choices affect the rest of the world. We will not only show films about food but also present our guests with some food-related happenings in cooperation with Dill restaurant in The Nordic House.
Icelandic Panorama:
By cracking open the unique world of Icelandic filmmaking and showcasing it to the outside world, the Festival aims to build bridges between Icelandic cinema and the flows and currents of international filmmaking. Thus we create an environment to discuss the unique nature of Icelandic films and the dialogue with international cinema. Icelandic cinema can, and does, shape the world around it. In the Icelandic Panorama category we bring you the films that we believe will do just that in the coming years.
