5/09/2013

Heima (2007)



A Tribute to Iceland, its People and Culture







Heima is one of these movies that makes you feel. Just feel. With each pore of your skin. And makes you  reflect on your life fundamentals. All my senses and emotions are surfacing at the sound of live music of the incredible indie band that is Sigur Rós. Heima (meaning 'at home' in Icelandic) is a cultural journey through the Land of Volcanos & Geysers following the unannounced home tour of the band. This music tour documentary is more about Iceland, its people and culture than the band itself. In my opinion there is no better impression of Iceland : the calm and slow way of life, the shyness of its people, their clever and down-to-earth state of mind. I find Heima's cinematography and sound mind-blowing through their simplicity. I believe there is no such thing as a good movie without a good soundtrack: in Heima, the music simply is the story. I was able to hear the ‘sound’ of Iceland while watching the movie; not only through the band's live performances but also through the sounds and silences of nature itself. I find this movie truly soothing and revealing of the power and greatness of Icelandic nature. I believe there is no better tribute to the Icelandic people and land than this very poetic and artistic piece. And no better gift to the world to get a real feel of Iceland. The live performances are incredible and diverse: you will notice them play in big venues or in little houses or even outside an abandoned barn somewhere in the middle of nowhere. You will witness the band in intimate environments like solo interviews where the members share their feel of fame and happiness to go back to their home and roots. The magical part of the movie is to see how Sigur Rós gives back to their community: they invite locals to perform with them from the marching band of a village to a peculiar instruments maker. Since Sigur Rós is generally the only thing foreigners know about Iceland, Heima is a great preview of what else the country has to offer to its visitors. 

1 reason to watch: get a real feel of Iceland!



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