Águst Guðmundsson directed this Icelandic period drama, adapted from the short story We Must Dance by William Heinesen, and set on an island in 1913. Pétur (Gunnar Helgason) narrates, recalling the days when mainlanders arrived for a wedding. Flirtatious Sirsa (Pálína Jónsdottir) marries Harald (Dofri Hermannsson), son of a wealthy landowner on the island. Offshore, a ship is sinking, so the men form a rescue party, returning with the captain, the engineer, and several sailors. With a storm gathering, the engineer dies. The clergyman requests an end to the festivities as a mark of respect. Sirsa protests, but her new husband brings the celebration to a halt. The group then fragments into different activities, drunken or otherwise, and the sensual Sirsa directs her attention toward the handsome Ívar (Baldur Trausti Hreinsson). The film's score features traditional folk music.
Score
Haunting Icelandic folk music that refuses to comfort you.
Cinematography
Storm-lashed island beauty, all greys and sudden warmth.
Director
Ágúst Guðmundsson
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Faroese author William Heinesen refused to let Denmark translate his work—this Icelandic adaptation happened through back channels.
The storm is real: Guðmundsson waited three weeks for weather that matched Sirsa's interior chaos.
IS
