Towards Transnational Sensitivity?: Strategies of Cultural Opening and Assimilation of Genres in Icelandic Cinema After the Year 2000

Sebastian Jakub Konefał

Abstract

During the beginning of the 21^st century film directors trained overseas brought in a new quality to the Icelandic cinema. The films made at that time represent the values and topics different from those explored in the 1980s cinema, which were primarily focused on the local perspective. A new generation of filmmakers presents the image of Iceland as a country that is opening up to outside influences and that is subjected to the processes of globalization. The main topics are, among others: the debate on the increasing role of women in the political and cultural life, problems with the assimilation of immigrants and the intolerance towards sexual minorities. With a change of subject matter come different ways (modeled on European and American ones) of talking about the cultural opening up of Iceland, such as criticism of the nationalist rhetoric of earlier cultural texts. Changing worldviews combine with a changed attitude to the production and distribution of films. The makers of new Icelandic film focus on search for foreign partners that can help them in financing their original work. They are also happy with the role of “world citizens” who are looking for inspiration and the ability to create films outside of their home country.