The villagers of the Icelandic hamlet of Vík í Myrdal have had a mystical relationship with Katla, the volcano that towers high above them. Their eyes have been stubbornly fixed on her for centuries, trying to fathom the latent danger. The volcano, covered by a huge glacier, does not easily reveals its secrets. In recent years, however, she has shown signs of increased activity and that causes nervousness for some. Others see it as an asset for the growing tourism, which is an increasing source of income for the village. Throughout history, the presence of the fire-breathing mountain has played a changing role in the daily lives of the nearby villagers, who have to live with its presence. This shift from mythical place to tourist attraction is illustrated in the documentary by three protagonists, all of whom represent a different generation with a very different view of the forces of nature that surround them.
Heimaland
A documentary by Ischa Clissen and Dorus Masure
DIRECTORS Ischa Clissen & Dorus Masure
DURATION 70 min.
SELECTED AT Dokfest München, Docville, One World Film Festival.
Produced by DIPLODOKUS – in coproduction with RAYUELA PRODUCTIONS, COMPASSFILMS – VRT CANVAS – with the support of VAF Filmfonds, CENTRE DU CINÉMA ET DE L’AUDIOVISUEL de la Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles, ICELANDIC FILM CENTER and of BELGIAN TAX SHELTER FILM FINANCING – this project participated in NOTRH PITCH – BELOW ZERO
