Hinn heimsþekkti hollenski kvikmyndaleikstjóri og ljósmyndari Anton Corbijn verður meðal heiðursgesta á Alþjóðlegri kvikmyndahátíð í Reykjavík sem fram fer dagana 25.september til 5.október næstkomandi. Nokkrar af kvikmyndum hans verða sýndar á hátíðinni ásamt því að hann mun taka þátt í „Spurt & svarað“ að sýningum loknum. Þá mun hann stýra This Mixed Media meistaraspjalli og ræða þar verk sín og feril.
Anton Corbijn, RIFF 2025’s Honorary Guest, is one of the most influential photographers and filmmakers of recent decades, whose distinctive approach has reshaped the relationship between photography, music, and cinema. Born in the Netherlands in 1955, he is best known for raw and intimate portraits of musicians—images that feel more like conversations than posed shots. But his artistry goes far beyond photography: he has directed some of the most memorable music videos of the past 40 years and developed a unique cinematic style where visual language and atmosphere take center stage.
The Beginning with Joy Division
Corbijn’s style emerged in the late 1970s, when he moved to London to immerse himself in the post-punk scene. He quickly gained attention with deep, quiet images of Joy Division (his first music assignment), Siouxsie Sioux, and Echo & the Bunnymen. His most famous photos of the late Ian Curtis, Joy Division’s singer, were taken offstage, in stillness that suggested both solitude and underlying tension.
Reaching for the Sky: Depeche Mode and U2
Corbijn’s ability to capture the emotional essence of an individual made him one of the most sought-after photographers for musicians wanting more than just promotional shots. His long collaborations with Depeche Mode and U2 not only shaped the visual identities of these globally successful bands but also influenced pop culture from 1985 to 1990. When people think of the stark imagery of The Joshua Tree or the dark, mysterious mood of Violator,they’re seeing Corbijn’s vision. Other notable artists he has designed album covers for include Nick Cave, Echo & the Bunnymen, Morrissey, Bruce Springsteen, R.E.M., and Therapy?.
Music Videos and Feature Films
Moving into feature filmmaking was a natural next step. By then, Corbijn had already directed famous music videos such as “Enjoy the Silence” (Depeche Mode), “One” (U2), and “Heart-Shaped Box” (Nirvana). His debut feature, Control , tells the story of Ian Curtis’s life, art, and death, shot in stark black and white. The film was praised for its sensitivity, melancholy, and refinement—not just as a music film, but as a meditation on creativity, fame, and ambition in the shadow of depression.
His subsequent films show his continued interest in solitude, surveillance, and identity. These include The American (2010, starring George Clooney) and A Most Wanted Man (2014, the final film of the late Oscar-winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman). Whether portraying spies or assassins, Corbijn’s hallmarks remain: silence, visual stillness, and an elusive beauty revealed in fleeting moments. Shadows matter as much as light, and stories are never told purely on the surface—the way to the core is always through the lens.A Master of Visual Language – A Major Gain for RIFF
“It is both a great pleasure and an immense honor for us to welcome such a legendary artist as Anton Corbijn,” ersays Hrönn Marinósdóttir about his visit to RIFF 2025. “Here we have an artist whose career not only includes some of the most intriguing and exciting films of the past 20 years but also many of the most memorable portraits of artists in recent decades. His approach, texture, and visual language have undoubtedly shaped pop culture in recent decades.”
Hrönn adds that Corbijn generally keeps a low profile and avoids the spotlight. “That makes his visit all the more special and desirable, and of course, we hope as many people as possible seize the opportunity to attend the screenings and events connected to his visit. This is truly a rare opportunity, unlikely to come again in Iceland.”
The Reykjavík International Film Festival will take place from September 25 to October 5. The full program will be announced soon.