As a seasoned cinema devotee with a penchant for global film landscapes, I must say that my eyes lit up when I read about the thriving cinematic renaissance happening in Iceland. The raw, breathtaking beauty of its landscapes has always been a feast for the eyes, but the surge in production since the rebate was increased to 35% is truly noteworthy.
Amidst an expanse of molten rock on Iceland’s Southern Peninsula, the team behind “The Fires” is readying their next scene setup. Meanwhile, in their makeshift village, producer Grímar Jónsson and his colleagues are enjoying a coffee and pastry break near an RV and a car atop a truck bed, seemingly within a crater. A short distance away, against the backdrop of the iconic Blue Lagoon’s rising steam, a makeup artist battles the strong wind to perfect the lead actor of the volcano-themed romance disaster movie.
In this island nation, it’s no surprise to find such an impressive backdrop. This country, which has witnessed a significant boost in output, has been thriving since its existing 25% production incentive was amplified two years ago, raising it to a generous 35% for eligible larger productions.
In the tiny nation, the latest completed production titled ‘The Fires,’ which ran for 28 days, has wrapped up its filming. This country has recently been a magnet for major players in the industry. Among them are HBO’s ‘True Detective: Night Country’ set for 2023, the CBS Studios/BBC historical series ‘King and Conqueror’ this year, and Lasse Hallström’s Nordic noir ‘The Darkness,’ also under CBS Studios.
The film ‘The Fires’ is managed by a relatively small team compared to its director, Ugla Hauksdóttir, who led a much larger crew while filming the large-scale series ‘Alien: Earth’ on FX earlier this year. However, the project, adapted from a well-known and forward-thinking Icelandic novel, couldn’t be more pertinent given recent events – the town of Grindavik, located near the shooting site, was evacuated following the eruption of the Sundhnúksgígar volcanic series. The same volcano erupted again just last week, covering the car park at the nearby Blue Lagoon in lava.
According to Jónsson, ensuring the safety of the crew was the most significant hurdle during filming in an active volcanic region. He expressed that they worked closely with the police, the Icelandic Search and Rescue Association, the Coast Guard, and the Meteorological Office.
Iceland is frequently chosen by filmmakers for its awe-inspiring backdrops, such as the Thorufoss Waterfall featured in “Game of Thrones,” and the Vatnajökull glacier, which stood in for the ice planet in “Interstellar.
Now, the enhanced incentive has yielded production dollars to the tune of about $29 million – a significant amount for “True Detective,” marking the biggest foreign cultural investment in the nation’s history. Given the high-profile nature of this production, some local filmmakers have expressed concern that policymakers might be favoring foreign investments over domestic creators who depend on government film funding to support their own projects.
Director Baltasar Kormákur, a prominent figure in Iceland’s film industry, disputes this notion. As the head of RVK Studios, a facility offering top-tier resources to both local and international film projects, he asserts that foreign productions actually improve the local film scene: “It has significantly improved our industry for the better.
As a movie enthusiast, I firmly believe it’s misleading to attribute the rebate as the culprit behind wage inflation or crew monopolization in the film industry. Instead, I argue that we should provide opportunities for those out of work, not exploit them by keeping wages low.
However, Jónsson, the producer of “The Fires”, cautions that it’s crucial for the government to keep providing substantial subsidies to local producers, given the rise in wages and production costs due to international filming. In his opinion, it’s essential for political focus to be maintained on nurturing domestic production and preserving a healthy equilibrium.
When Kormakur purchased a property in an industrial area beyond Reykjavik, he chose to establish RVK Studios, equipped with facilities that he felt were lacking in other studios. Rather than relying on bulky, noisy ventilation systems, the soundstages are heated using Iceland’s renowned geothermal power. Additionally, Kormakur requested that the stages be fitted with windows, allowing crew members to observe daylight during extended shooting hours.
Kormakur is also working on enhancing a surrounding area that will eventually feature apartments, eateries, and retail stores to foster a lively production environment. Following the relocation of “True Detective’s” Alaskan research facility set off the stages, RVK Studios has recently welcomed the historical drama series “King and Conqueror,” featuring James Norton as King Harold of Wessex. Kormakur directed the premiere episode and jointly produced the show, which occupied the studios for over six months, boasting an abundance of historically accurate costumes and sets.
Iceland’s Film Commissioner, Einar Hansen Tómasson, highlights that while diverse filming locations and screen tourism are significant aspects, they only represent a small part of the overall scenario. A key objective behind enhancing incentives is to foster growth in various sectors of the film industry, such as visual effects (VFX) and music scoring, by utilizing local orchestras.
He suggests extending the duration of productions in Iceland, as they hope these productions will utilize the infrastructure that local producers have bravely invested in.
According to Tómasson, working alongside directors such as Clint Eastwood and Christopher Nolan provides valuable practical experience for the crew members. Moreover, he emphasizes that local film productions are eligible for financial incentives.
According to Tómasson, it’s not about choosing between one thing or another. Instead, it’s about recognizing that we all draw advantages from a single interconnected system.
“Overall, the system strengthens the Icelandic industry.”
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2024-11-30 20:48