05.31.06
SIFF 2006, day 5
Huldufolk 102
Iceland/USA
Beyond the quiet cities and towns of Iceland lies an invisible nation of mystical “hidden folk” who reveal themselves only to those who can “see beyond their stomachs.” Icelandic historians, writers, politicians, sorcerers, farmers and public road workers talk about the effect that the “invisibles” have on their culture.
Translation of the above blurb: A lot of people in Iceland believe in elves, or are at least unwilling to dismiss the possibility that they share their country with elves. This is not a particularly good film, I could have done with far less shaky hand-held footage of interviews and more solid scholarly background. However, from a folkloric and sociological standpoint, it’s fascinating and I really enjoyed that aspect (particularly when a professor of folklore compared the Icelandic viewpoint to that of the Irish–it had already occured to me that there seemed to be similarities in the Icelandic and Celtic depictions of and attitudes toward “hidden folk”); and of course, Iceland is heart-stoppingly beautiful and I never, never get tired of looking at footage of it.
I would like to note that I came up with a theory years ago, long before I ever heard about this aspect of Iceland, that Bjork is really an elf, and this film has only strengthened that theory for me. Also, I’ve had her “Human Behavior” stuck in my head for the past day as ironic commentary on the whole thing.