Fridrik Thor Fridriksson

Fridriksson started his carrier with several experimental films and documentaries in the early 1980’s. As a director, Fridriksson gained international recognition with his second feature CHILDREN OF NATURE (1991) which was nominated for an Oscar as Best Foreign Language Film. He co-wrote with two of Iceland’s most acclaimed novelists and script-writers Einar Már Gudmundsson (CHILDREN OF NATURE, ANGELS OF THE UNIVERSE, MOVIEDAYS presented at the GFF 1995) and Einar Kárason (WHITE WHALES, DEVIL’S ISLAND, FALCONS). Fridriksson founded his production company The Icelandic Film Corporation in 1987. The company has built a network of co-production partners, including Lars von Trier’s Zentropa and Francis Ford Coppola’s American Zoetrope.

Director’s statement

“My brother-in-law died a few years ago. He also suffered from Down Syndrome. The reason of his death had nothing to with his disability, it could have happened to anybody. During this period of grief and confused feelings I read the script of NICELAND for the first time. I felt challenged to make this film. To make it with honesty and respect for its characters”.