My Family Reunion

Ísold Uggadóttir moved to New york in 2001 to go to graduate school at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. After graduation she landed an editor's job at Partisan Pictures. Her first short film Góðir gestir, or Family Reunion, came out this year and was screened at the Reykjavik International Film Festival. Last month Family Reunion was nominated for the Edda Awards (the Icelandic Oscars) for best short film. Those who missed the screening at RIFF can get a copy at Kirsuberjatréð, Vesturgötu 4. The DVD includes a making-of-video, a "brauðterta" recipe and other goodies.

How's life in New York?

Life is good. Plenty to do. Never a dull moment.

How's being a girl director?

I haven't really thought about it. But I definitely enjoy it.

What were the greatest obstacles in getting the film made?

Funding, by far. It can be tricky to hire people when you have no money!

The film is shot in New York and Reykjavík, is there a difference shooting in these two cities?

The two cities are extremely different. In Reykjavík we were able to have every friend, relative and acquaintance (takk!) help out with every aspect of the film. Without insurance we borrowed cars, equipment, locations... you name it. In New York, on the other hand, every street corner has film shoots taking place. You need insurance for everything and sometimes you have to bribe people. Our NY crew was less personal friends, and more people we advertised for on the internet. In New York it's easy to find random people with film experience who want to add credits to their resume. New York is full of people trying to break into film and acting so you don't need to be friends with them to have them work on your film for free.

What's your favorite scene in the film?

It's when our lead character Katrín is left alone outside the bar Dillon and then takes a cab ride down Laugavegur on her way home. She observes happy couples everywhere she looks, which makes her loneliness even more intense. I like this scene for its visual and emotional impact. I also like it because we were "stealing" shots of drunken Icelanders in the middle of the night. It was a very "guerilla style" shoot.

When making the film you decided never to do this again. Will you keep your word?

This was my first time being the director. I had to at least look like I knew what I was doing. I had scenes that required 60-70 extras, so sets became very big, and at times extremely overwhelming. Everyone I knew was helping, my whole family was involved. I only slept a few hours every night. The cinematographer and I would meet early the next day and soon the set would fill up with people again and the madness resumed. It was in the midst of this madness that I vowed never to do this again. But it's been over a year now and I take back my words. Next time I just might have fewer extras and more funding.

What can we expect of Ísold in the near future?

Another short film and perhaps a feature somewhere down the road. For the short I'll probably try something new. A different style and a different mood.

What's the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning?

Race through my e-mails checking to see what requires an urgent response.

What are your greatest accomplishments in New York so far?

For me personally, my greatest accomplishment is having made a film that I've been thinking about making for so long. To others, perhaps editing a documentary series for the History Channel is more important.

What's a typical day for you?

No one day is typical. What all the days have in common is the sense that there is never enough time. I'm always competing with the clock and always wish I had one more hour. The to-do list is never-ending and I always owe somebody an e-mail. I need to hire staff. Right now I'm working on distribution for the film and trying to fund the 35mm blow-up, before it seriously enters the international film festival circuit. And in the back of my mind there is a story that I should start writing.

what do you think of the Icelandic film culture?

I think it's great. We have a good variety of filmmakers, although I hope women start becoming more visible. I was happy to hear of the increase in government funding so perhaps next time I'll have a chance (and need fewer credit cards). We have art films and mainstream movies and lots of short films in between. We just need more of them all and Icelanders who choose Icelandic films in the theater over American reality shows at home.

Who or what are your strongest influences?

People. Life. Icelanders. Americans. Outsiders. Locals. Struggles. People who think differently from me.

Who is your favorite Icelandic filmmaker?

Dagur Kári. I am so happy that there is a Dagur Kári and that he's appreciated the way he is because with recognition comes power and he's someone that will use it well.

Do you hope to win an Oscar one day?

Not really. I'd be more excited if I got accepted at Cannes.

Is filmmaking the ultimate art form?

Film is such a mix of art and business so it's hard to define it as pure art. It does incorporate many art forms: photography, music, design, acting and writing. But it does so in a way that has to be practical and pragmatic. As a director on a chaotic set you don't feel very artsy. But the end result can be very artistic.

What's the greatest thing New York has to offer, that Reykjavík doesn't?

Variety. Variety in people, culture, film, art, opinions etc. Reykjavík, with less than 200,000 people, can't possibly compete. But for a city with so few people it does very well for itself.

What do you miss from Reykjavík?

The food, the swimming pools, my family.

Text by Hanna Björk Valsdóttir

Photo by Hörður Sveinsson