Guðmundur Arnar Guðmundsson’s first feature film, Heartstone (Hjartasteinn), received three prizes at the Warsaw Film Festival last weekend. Guðmundur was elected best director for creating an emotive and intimate film about growing up in a violent, isolated environment; actor Baldur Einarsson received a special mention from the selection committee; and, finally, Heartstone received the festival’s Ecumenical Award for its depiction of childhood and the strong friendship of two boys.
The Warsaw Film Festival is one of the world’s highly respected A list film festivals.
The film takes place in a small fishing village in Iceland in the summer time. This is an emotional coming-of-age story about the strong friendship between two boys, according to Vísir. One of them is in love with a young girl in the neighborhood, but the other one gradually discovers his feelings for his friend are deeper than he had realized.
In September, the film won the Queer Lion Award at the Venice International Film festival, the oldest film festival in the world.
Heartstone will premier in Iceland in the New Year.
Iceland Review by Vala Hafstað
