METALHEAD

Iceland, 2013, 97 minutes, Colour.
Ingvar Eggert Siggursson, Porbjorg Helga Porgilsdottir, Sigrun Edda Bjornsdotttir.
Directed by Ragnar Bragason.

Many very interesting films emerged from Iceland in the early years of the 21st century. This is one of them.

The film creates an atmosphere, the Icelandic countryside, the work of the farmers, life in the town, the church. Also important is the musical score and themes of music, the pervading rock music, the bands and compositions.

At the centre of the film is a young girl, grieving the death of her young brother, not getting any consolation from his funeral or religion. There is a new priest in the town who is sympathetic and listens to her. She has perpetually attempted to run away, since childhood, but always remains, her mother and father trying to deal with her. This includes her burning down the church.

She composes music and lyrics, makes a record, which comes to the attention of some young Norwegian producers who arrive, join with her performance in the church – initially to the dismay of the congregation who find this music too loud and want something from Iceland.

One of the by-products of this experience is that the husband-and-wife are able to speak frankly about the grief at the death of their son, respond to the music, and appreciate their daughter more.

1. A film from Iceland? Icelandic characters, situations? Families, deaths? The importance of rock music? Hard metal?

2. The settings, the Icelandic countryside, the farmers and fields, the town, homes, the church? Authentic feel?

3. The importance of rock music? The discussion of a variety of groups and their careers and their impact? The compositions for the film, Hera and her work, her performance, the group, Hera, understanding her, sharing the music, her kissing him, his reaction? Yet his support of her, listening to the music? Hera, her anger with Jesus at her brother’s funeral, the discussions with the priest about Jesus and his being with outcasts? Hera going to the church, tearing up the hymnals, burning the church down? The parish meeting, the discussion, the decision not to blame Hera but to rebuild the church themselves?

4. Hera, her desperation, going into the mountains, the snow? The apparition of her brother?

5. Her return, going to see her friend, his support of her, his father? His later accosting her, explaining that they were friends, yet her using him, his love for her – but her being unable to reciprocate?

6. The arrival of the young men from Norway, liking her music, her explaining it was only a demo, that she did everything herself, their enthusiasm? Participating in the concert, performance, the audience finding it too loud, wanting something from Iceland, Hera turning down the sound, playing the music and a positive response?

7. Themes of grief, overcoming grief, the role of music – and contemporary hard Rock?