Union of the north
Nammu, the Sumerian goddess of creation who became a waitress at the Dunkin Donuts of a shopping center in Reykjavik, is about to celebrate the sacred union of two lovers.
In the frozen department: gaudy neon lights, orange uniforms, Homeric songs, tribal dances. In this cinematic work of a bewildering savagery, the wedding celebration will be grand.
Written by the world-renowned contemporary artist Matthew Barney, directed by choreographer Erna Ómarsdóttir and musician Valdimar Jóhannsson, Union of the North is moving away from the Icelandic cliché of open spaces to embrace an air-conditioned, consumer-driven modernity. Performed by the Iceland Dance Company, the film unfolds sometimes as a majestic opera, sometimes as a squeaky reality show. The scenes strike, cling to the cortex; rites of passage filled with noise and fury, sacrificial cults enlivened. Bloody, feverish wedding between the sublime and the trivial. A sacred union.
A film by Iceland Dance Company
Directed by: Valdimar Jóhannsson + Erna Ómarsdóttir
Script and lyrics: Matthew Barney
Choreography Erna Ómarsdóttir in collaboration with the performers
Interpretation: Þyrí Huld Árnadóttir + Hannes Þór Egilsson + Friðgeir Einarsson + Lovísa Ósk Gunnarsdóttir + Aðalheiður Halldórsdóttir + Sofia Jernberg + Dóra Jóhannsdóttir + Valdimar Jóhannsson + Raven Laxdal + Ásgeir Helgi Magnússon + Erna Ómarsdóttir + Hjørdis Lilja Örnólfsdóttir + Elín Signy Weywadt Ragnarsdóttir + Inga Maren Rúnarsdóttir + Sigtryggur Berg Sigmarsson + Anna Guðrún Tómasdóttir + Halla Þórðardóttir
Music: Valdimar Jóhannsson + Sofia Jernberg
text: Fridgeir Einarsson
Direction of Photography: Tómas Örn Tómasson
Editing: Frosti Jón Runólfsson
Scenery: Guðni Rúnar Gunnarsson + Ari Birgir Ágústsson
Costumes: Rebekka Jónsdóttir + Hrafnhildur Hólmgeirsdóttir
Hairstyles and makeup: Harpa Finnsdóttir
Sound: Agnar Friðbertsson + Ari Rannveigarson
Camera: Anní Ólafsdóttir, Frosti Jón Runólfsson + Viktor Orri Andersen
Design of the giant donut : Matthew Barney
Assistant Director: Anna Gunndís Guðmundsdóttir
Camera Assistant: Victor Bogdanski
Decor Assistant: Vilhjálmur Pétursson
Costume
Assistant Kolbrún Sigurðardóttir Hair and Makeup Assistant: Kamilla Kristín Auðunsdóttir
Production and coordination: Heba Eir Kjeld + Hulda Helgadóttir + Kata Ingva + Bjarni Jónsson + Ragnheiður Skúladóttir
Figuration: Hekla Elísabet Aðalsteinsdóttir + Elísa Lind Finnbogadóttir + Anita Ísey Jónsdóttir + Bjarni Jónsson + Kristín Manúelsdóttir + Erla Rut Mathiesen + Sigurður Andrean Sigurgeirsson
Children Cycling: Baldur Björn Arnarsson + Katrín Eir Ásgeirsdóttir + Arna Geirsdóttir + Freyja Geirsdóttir + Anna Kolbrún Ísaksdóttir + Brynjar Óli Ísaksson + Geir Örn Jacobsen + Elísabet María Jónsdóttir Kjeld + Hekla Kristleifsdóttir + Vaka Tómasdóttir + Valgerður Gríma Sigurjónsdóttir + Elmar Sölvi Steinarsson
Coproduction: Spring Festival (Utrecht) + Kunstcentrum BUDA (Kortrijk) + tanzhaus nrw (Dusseldorf) + Reykjavík Dance Festival
With the support of Icelandic Ministry of Education, Science and Culture + Nordic Culture Fund (Helsinki) + City of Reykjavík + Shalala (Reykjavík) in collaboration with Reykjavík City Theater + LÓKAL Performing Arts Reykjavík