September 26 to October 6
RIFF, the Reykjavík International Film Festival, offers a wide selection of new and independent cinema every year. Over the years, illustrious guests have included names like Jim Jarmusch, Mads Mikkelsen, Werner Herzog, and many others. RIFF is also especially exciting because its annual award, the Golden Puffin, is given to new and young filmmakers, so moviegoers know that they’re getting a glimpse into the newest frontiers of cinema. The program has never been more diverse than this year.
Every RIFF has a certain emphasis, and this year we will see categories such as “New Visions” (Grand Prix Competition), “Open Seas,” which will showcase depictions of the ocean, the environment, and sailing, and “A Different Tomorrow,” which highlights movies that have unique visions of the future, whether utopian or dystopian.
- See also: Stockfish Film Festival in Reykjavík
Opening and Closing Films
Lovable by Lilja Ingólfsdóttir and the short film 1000 words by Erlendur Sveinsson are the opening films this year. The room next door by Pedro Almodovar will close the festival. Lovable is about Maria, who tries to care for her four children with the same ambition as her career but one day, she has a conflict with her husband that triggers him to file for a divorce.
Special screenings
RIFF has also become known over the years for innovative and memorable screenings.
Midnight Thrills at RIFF is the screening of two horror films, Salve Maria and The substance. The screening will have a 15 min interval with complimentary cinnamon buns from Gifflar and strong coffee! The Substance is a wicked tale of Hollywood starring Demi Moore, Dennis Quaid and Margaret Qualley. Salve Maria is a story of a new mother and writer transfixed by the disturbing case of a woman who drowned her infant twins.
RIFF cooperates with the Embassy of Japan in Iceland for a special screening of Daft Punk’s cult classic INTERSTELLA 5555: The 5tory of the 5ecret 5tar. A classic cult-cartoon with music from Daft Punk. Four talented alien musicians are kidnapped by a record producer who disguises them as humans and has them reprogrammed to forget their real identities and play soulless corporate pop as The Crescent Dolls.
Nagisa Oshima’s In the Realm of the Senses was controversial when it came out 50 years ago. Here in Reykjavík, local police managed to stop an intended 1978 screening of the film, on account of its explicit nature. According to prominent voices of the time, the film could “ruin the ideas of young people about love”, and follows the story of Sada Abe, a woman whose affair with her master leads her to an obsessive and ultimately destructive sexual relationship. The screening of this notorious film will be followed by a conversation on the then and now, where experts will discuss the film’s history, subject matter and reception. The conversation will be conducted in Icelandic.
RIFF, Mekka and MS present collaborate for a special screening of the documentary Shelf Life, with a cheese and wine tasting by MEKKA. Post screening there will be a Q&A with Helgi Pé of the Icelandic association of retirees and psychologist Sjöfn Evertsdóttir about the joys of growing older. Shelf Life is a journey through the world of cheese. Parallels are drawn between the aging process of cheese and human life’s journey. The viewer is introduced to a cast of colorful and worldly characters that share their unique perspectives on decay, dissolution and the art of crafting the perfect cheese.
Jonas Åkerlund is a famous swedish film maker and his dance movie DuEls, choreographed by Damien Jalet and Erna Omarsdottir, reflects his characteristics as a daring and versatile artist who has among other things directed music-videos for popstars such as Paul McCartney, Lady Gaga, Madonna and groups like Duran Duran and Metallica.
RIFF’s Cinematic Culinary Experience revolves around the fusion of cinema and gastronomy, with a special screening of “Like Water for Chocolate”, paired with a menu by Sónó Matseljur in the Nordic House on September 28 and 29. To mark the 40th anniversary of cult viking film “When the Raven Flies”, there will be a special screening in Háskólabíó with a live performance by Icelandic post-metal band Sólstafir.
Horror Duo
One of the most notorious horror films of all time, “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” (1974) is paired with the documentary “Chain Reactions” (2024) by award winning director Alexandre O. Philippe. Chain Reactions explores the lasting impact of Texas Chainsaw Massacre on five great artists, including Stephen King, and how it changed the genre forever.
For more information, full schedule and tickets, visit riff.is
