The book focuses on the history and evolution of the national and transnational cinema from Iceland. The author analyses popular topics and narrative strategies in Icelandic films. The research covers local versions of black comedies, road movies, crime stories and figures connected with the motif of struggle between tradition and modernity.

The last decade was an exceptional period for the Icelandic cinema. The films produced during this time have won many prestigious awards at international festivals. Cinematic images of Iceland eclectically interlace myths, stereotypes and postmodern means of expression. At first glance, the local films obsessively repeat the same themes which might be incomprehensible for a foreign viewer. However, academic research on the most interesting motion pictures creates an opportunity to study the birth and development of small, but energetic and ambitious cinematography. Such an experience also allows analyzing problems related to the system of film production in this sparsely populated country and helps identify challenges during the process of introducing a local culture abroad. Finally, studying Icelandic cinema gives a chance to go on the audiovisual journey through the fascinating culture and unique landscapes. The author of the book analyses popular topics and narrative strategies in Icelandic films. The research covers local versions of black comedies, road movies and crime stories as well as different figures connected with the motif of struggle between tradition and modernity.

Autorentext

Sebastian Jakub Konefä is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Film and Audio-visual Studies at the University of Gdäsk in Poland. He has published texts on science fiction and horror genres, comic books, graphic novels and Nordic cinema.

Inhalt

Icelandic cinema - Sagas - National and transnational cinema - Musical documentaries - Film genres - Gender - Feminism - Emigrants - Tradition - History - Liquid modernity -Documentary cinema - Generation X - Crisis of manhood - Tourist gaze - Utopias - Heterotopias - Uchronias - (Re)constructions of national identity