New Nordic Cinema at Scandinavia House returns in a virtual format! Celebrate contemporary Nordic filmmaking with us from home by catching some of the best new films in weekend sessions of contemporary feature films and documentaries. The sixth session of the series from March 19-25 features the film Echo/ Bergmál (Iceland, 2019; dir. Rúnar Rúnarsson).

It’s Christmas time in Iceland, and as everyone prepares for the holidays, a peculiar atmosphere seems to take hold of the country. In the middle of the countryside, an abandoned farm is burning; in a school, a children’s choir is singing Christmas carols; and in a slaughterhouse, chickens parade along a rail. In a museum, a mother argues with her ex-husband on the phone; in a living room, a young girl convinces her grandmother try out new virtual reality headset; and in a mobile unit, two nurses comfort an addict who feels alone. Through 56 such scenes, acclaimed director Rúnar Rúnarsson’s Echo draws a biting and tender portrait of modern society. (80 min. In Icelandic with English subtitles.)

“A quietly ruminative mosaic…an exciting new direction for Runarsson”—The Hollywood Reporter
“A moving composite vision in which Icelandic society itself is the protagonist”—Variety

Festival films will be available to ticket holders all over the U.S. Each session is limited to 250 tickets in an effort to preserve the intimate and communal experience. The sessions will take place over seven days (Friday — Thursday), with all films available for viewing on a virtual cinema screening platform throughout this period. To download viewing instructions and an FAQ, please click here.

This program has been supported by the Consulate of Iceland.

Rúnar Rúnarsson (born 1977) graduated from the National Film School of Denmark in 2009. His short film The Last Farm was nominated for an Academy Award in 2004 and was followed by 2 Birds, which was nominated for a Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 2008. His debut feature film, Volcano, had its world premiere at the Cannes Directors ’Fortnight in 2011 and won Best Film, Best Director, and Best Screenplay at Iceland’s national Edda film awards. His sophomore feature film, Sparrows, had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival and won 17 international awards, including the Golden Shell-Best Film at San Sebastián in 2015. The following year it was nominated for the Nordic Council Film Prize.

Echo is Rúnarsson’s third feature film. The ensemble piece of 56 scenes, set between Christmas and New Year, had its world premiere at the Locarno International Film Festival, where it collected the Youth Jury Prize. Other world festival kudos include Best Director at Valladolid and Best Film from the Interfilm Church Prize at Lübeck.